By By BEN RAYMOND LODE / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- Otto Dunnuck has been coming down to free music events at Riverfront Park's Amphitheater in Niles for five years.
Wednesday was no exception for the long-time Niles resident.
Sitting by the river under a large oak in his green folding chair next to his good friend, Mick McCormick, Dunnuck said he enjoys the free concerts, which are made possible through a grant the city has received from the state.
The free summer concerts, which take place on Wednesdays Thursdays and Sundays, start in early June and ends in August.
Each of those days feature different types of music but the Wednesday night concerts typically caters for an older crowd with music from the 20s, 30s and 40s.
Lesley Brook, a jazz musician from South Bend, Ind. played at last night's concert.
McCormick, who frequently attends the free concerts with Dunnuck, described what it is like for her to sit in front of the Amphitheater and listen to music.
Dunnuck, however, is also glad the city has transformed the Riverfront Park area into the beautiful recreational area it has become.
Dunnuck and McCormick, however, weren't the only ones who seemed to enjoy last night's free concert.
Jennifer O'Toole grew up in Niles, but now lives in Buchanan.
She has attended the free concerts regularly over the last four years.
O'Toole enjoys the varied musical program the concert organizers are putting together, although her own favorite music is from the 30s and 40s.
She doesn't really remember what the Riverfront area physically looked like before, but she enjoys the area now.
She said the free concerts provide a great opportunity for people to be exposed to different kinds of music.
O'Toole sat alone and listened to the music with a concentrated ear.
But for others, the free concerts are a great way to meet friends and simply hang out.
Jan Gano and Kathleen McCormick are part of a group of friends who go out for dinner every Wednesday throughout the year.
During the summer they come down to listen to the free concerts at the Amphitheater.
Gano said the Riverfront Park area has really become an asset to the community.