For nearly three decades the free summer concert series run by the Clinton Chamber of Commerce has been a staple of Clinton’s summers. Though the series was postponed this summer, the series will now have a fall run on Sundays in the fall from 2 to 3:30 p.m. through Oct. 11.

The concerts, now officially the Michael B. Ierardi Jr. Memorial Concert Series, have been held for about 30 years at the Vece Gazebo at the Pierson School, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the concert series’ planned start in July was postponed.

The fall concerts started on Sept. 13. Upcoming concerts include The Convertibles on Sept. 27, The Engine Room on Oct. 4, and the Vonzells on Oct. 11, at the Vece Gazebo & Lawn, Pierson School, 75 East Main Street, Clinton. The concerts feature music ranging from rock and roll to oldies to doo wop music. Each concert has two or three sponsors that cover the costs of the concerts and police presence at the concerts

Traditionally, attendees of the concerts would see a large group of people from young children to grandparents all over the lawn dancing and having a care-free good time on a warm summer evening. The concerts this year look a little different, with people staying farther apart.

Chamber Executive Director Paul Orsini said that the Sept. 13 concert still drew a good sized crowd—about 125 to 150 people—and went well.

“The guidelines are kind of ingrained in people by now so people came prepared,” Orsini said.

The new COVID protocols require that people maintain six feet of distance between separate groups and that masks be worn at all times, except for when sitting with your own group. Socializing between separate groups is discouraged. No attendees are allowed within 12 feet of the stage, otherwise the singers would need to wear masks on stage.

Orsini said that there was an issue where one attendee at the Sept. 13 concert refused to wear a mask and was asked to leave.

Orsini said the intention was never to cancel the concerts, but to postpone them until there was more clarity as to whether the concerts could offered safely. Orsini said the concerts have gone well and that some people suggest that the chamber move the concerts to the fall going forward.

Orsini said the decision to postpone was made in June when new guidelines on large gatherings were issued by the state. Orsini said that at the time, the chamber was unsure on how to interpret and enforce some of the guidelines and with the start date of the concerts fast approaching the chamber decided the prudent move was to push the series to the fall so that more protocols could be developed.

“The feeling was it was going to be too hard to manage. We decided more time is better,” Orsini said. “It’s a lot easier to manage now.”

For more information, visit www.clintonct.com.