About the Summer's End Concert

The Summer's End Concert began in 1996, when a small group of long-time East Greenwich residents thought that it would be a great idea to celebrate the end of summer in East Greenwich with a concert that would bring our community together to enjoy one last event before heading back to school and work in the autumn. They gathered a group of volunteers together and raised some money so they could bring Rhode Island’s premier musical orchestra to our community for a free performance at Eldredge Field in the center of town. That first concert was a rousing success and it has grown steadily in popularity throughout the years. Today, the Summer’s End Concert is attended by thousands of local residents and lucky visitors each year and has truly become a signature event for our town.

This year’s concert has some exciting twists. SAFO has invited the United States Navy Concert Band to be the main musical performer with a vocal performance by local and nationally known singer, MaryPat Denci. It is also the year FIREWORKS return to the program.

About the Summer Arts and Festival Organization (SAFO)

SAFO also started in 1996 and is the 501c (3) non-profit organization behind the annual Summer's End Concert. Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who donate their time throughout the year, they not only plan, organize, and produce the concert, but also perform the fundraising needed to offset the ever-increasing concert production costs.

SAFO's furthers its commitment to promoting, developing, and fostering music and the arts in East Greenwich and enhancing the appreciation of and improving access to music and the arts in our community by giving back to the community. Currently, 10% of all monetary donations collected the previous year are allocated by the Board for dispersal to other community-based art and music organizations.  This dispersal takes the forms of numerous pass through donations to such events as, Arts On Main, the Great Graffiti Contest, and the East Greenwich Art Festival. Additional yearly support comes via multiple academic scholarships awarded to local students who plan to continue their studies and sponsorship of programs providing access to classes and summer art and music programs.

It is the generous response from private citizens, small and large businesses, professional firms, community organizations, and the Town of East Greenwich, to our annual fundraising efforts that continue to provide the financial and in-kind support needed for SAFO’s programs.