An America250 concert with the Binghamton Philharmonic, celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday, was planned to be held at Government Plaza in downtown Binghamton on July 4.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul highlighted the concert in a June 5 roundup of events marking the occasion across New York, and it was also listed on I LOVE NY’s America 250 calendar.
But there were limitations at the venue, and the concert never moved past the planning stage.
City of Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham said the event was never promoted by the city.
“It turned out to be just too much, and it wasn’t something both parties wanted to go through with,” said Kraham. “I have ideas all the time that go through planning phases, and for a lot of different reasons, whether it’s money or logistics, they don’t come to fruition. This was one of them.”
In a statement posted on its website, the Binghamton Philharmonic said the event had been canceled because of safety limitations at the Government Plaza.
Kraham said the concert did not pose any sort of public safety risk. It was canceled due to a lack of accessibility for viewers and heat protection for performers.
“The plaza is not really an ADA-accessible venue, as well as heat safety for the musicians,” said Kraham. “You can’t have musicians that are playing out when it’s 90 to 100 degrees, and July 4th is typically or sometimes that weather.”
To keep the concert on the calendar would’ve required a move to an indoor venue at the last minute, Kraham said, and it was not a feasible solution.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: From plan to pause, why America250 concert never moved forward
Reporting by Riccardo Monico, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Riccardo Monico, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin | USA TODAY Network
