New summer festival featuring ‘pops events’ launches in Portland

Courtesy / Shamrock Sports & Entertainment, David Thompson Brian Corcoran, CEO and founder of Shamrock Sports & Entertainment, left, joins PSO Executive Director Carolyn Nishon and Andy Downs, director of public assembly facilities for the city of Portland, at Wednesday’s launch of a new festival called SummerFest ME.

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By Staff

Shamrock Sports & Entertainment, Portland Symphony Orchestra and the city of Portland are teaming up to launch a new festival called SummerFest ME, which features two inaugural events this year celebrating Portland’s arts, cultural and entertainment community.

The partners unveiled their plans Wednesday, noting that this year’s festival events will launch in late June and culminate with an enhanced July 4th celebration.

SummerFest ME’s kickoff event will take place on June 28 a “Pops with Purpose Gala” will take place at Portland’s Ocean Gateway from 5 to 8 p.m., with all proceeds benefiting the PSO performance on July 4. The gala will be limited to 300 tickets at $100 apiece on a first-come first-serve basis. All attendees will be encouraged to sport red, white and blue attire and enjoy food, craft brews and cocktails.

“We are optimistic that we can make Maine a preferred destination for world-class sports, entertainment, arts and cultural events,” said Shamrock CEO and founder Brian Corcoran. “Working with some of the largest events in the country since 2010, we launched Shamrock Signature earlier this year to develop and deliver epic experiences in our hometown market. SummerFest ME will be the first (of a few) new Shamrock Signature events rolled out where we collaborate with great partners such as city of Portland and PSO.”

On the Fourth of July , a new Portland Pops celebration featuring the PSO conducted by PSO’s new Music Director Eckart Preu, special guest performers and an expanded fireworks display will premiere on Portland’s Eastern Prom. This event is free and open to the public. Additionally, 500 VIP tickets will be sold at $50 per ticket that include premium seating, parking, catered cuisine and a beverage voucher. A limited number of reserved tickets will be sold at $25 per ticket that provide preferred seating and a beverage voucher.

“The PSO is excited to partner with Shamrock and the city of Portland to enhance an event with strong history and heart strings that connect us to the community,” said PSO Executive Director Carolyn Nishon. “We are thrilled to return to the Eastern Promenade and confident the best is yet to come for Portland’s arts, culture and entertainment community. This event showcases the shared values our organizations have to provide memorable moments for all ages,”.

Tickets will be available at www.porttix.com on May 24.