State Parks Dept. Pulls Plug on Friday Night's Jones Beach Boardwalk Bandshell Concert

The many fans of were disappointed to learn this week that the Long Island classic rock tribute band’s annual show at the Boardwalk Bandshell on Friday was cancelled for security-related issues.

The New York State Parks Department suddenly canceled the concert Thursday, citing security costs that would have been needed in response to the anticipated large crowd.

Wonderous Stories front-man Kenny Forgione posted on the band’s Facebook fan page about Friday night’s cancellation, prompting many comments expressing major disappointment over the news.

Forgione said he was informed by a state parks official that his band and some other bands that perform at the Jones Beach Boardwalk Bandshell “just draw too many people and that the people at the concessions say that they are not making enough to pay for the band and extra security,” and that fire and safety hazard laws need to be observed.

New York State Parks spokesman George Gorman said Friday's Jones Beach Boardwalk Bandshell concerts was cancelled for “public safety reasons” because of the “excessive crowds” the facility has seen so far this summer. Gorman said a performance by the Queen tribute band, Almost Queen, drew an estimated 4,000 people last Friday with 3,000 attending a Latin music show this past Sunday, both of which far exceeded the occupancy of the bandshell. Gorman said the occupancy in the Jones Beach Boardwalk Bandshell is designed for 450 people.

“The crowd was on the boardwalk and it was difficult to go through the crowd,” said Gorman of the many fans who attended the shows in the Wantagh venue last Friday and Sunday. “The events are just too big for that area.”

Gorman said Sunday's bandshell show featuring Latin-themed music was originally cancelled but has since been re-instated. Gormansaid state parks officials will be meeting with concert organizers to to see if further cancellations can be avoided this summer.

The Wonderous Stories performance was scheduled as part of the Jones Beach Boardwalk Bandshell’s “Tribute Fridays”, which is sponsored by 102.3 WBAB and features cover bands that play material from classic rock bands.

The Jones Beach Boardwalk Bandshell also hosts other concert series during the week throughout the summer, such as a series of concerts throughout the summer such as “Kids Night Tuesdays,”
and Latin Sundays.