Port Clinton Fire & Rescue has teamed up with Playmakers Civic Theatre for the Burn Your Socks Concert, an upbeat, island-themed fundraiser for the theater that will feature music, drinks, dancing and a raging fire. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

Summer is about to upstage winter at Playmakers Civic Theatre. On Sunday, Feb. 26, the theater will host the “Burn Your Socks Concert,” a fundraising event to usher in warmer weather. The concert will feature island music, comedy, beer and wine, and a raging fire pit where theatergoers can say goodbye to winter by burning a pair of winter socks.

Port Clinton Fire and Rescue personnel will keep a fire pit going in the theater parking lot.

“We’re asking attendees to bring one pair of old winter socks to throw in the fire pit. They are throwing away winter and welcoming in summer,” said Stacy Maple, Playmakers’ Director of Marketing and Fundraising. “And we’re asking them to bring one pair of new socks to donate to area children and families in need.”

Doors open for the Burn Your Socks Concert at 1:30 p.m., and the concert begins at 2 p.m. with the music of Island Song Trio. Seajamz 7 will perform at 2:45 p.m., and Master TC and The Visitors will perform at 3:30 p.m.

Tickets cost $25 for adults and $10 for students and are available at www.pcplaymakers.org, Lilly & Gert’s or at the door. All seats are general admission.

Playmakers’ Director of Marketing and Fundraising Stacy Maple invites guests to slip into an island shirt and a pair of flip flops and say goodbye to winter at the Burn Your Socks Concert at Playmakers Civic Theatre on Sunday, Feb. 26. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

“We can only seat 150 people, so I recommend getting your tickets early,” Maple said.

Nashville comedian Lee Hardin will return to Playmakers to act as emcee for the concert.

“He was here back in December for a comedy show. He loved Port Clinton, our community theater, and Port Clinton loved him,” Maple said. “He’s just a great personality, and he’s donating his time. He’s such a great support of what we’re doing here.”

The Burn Your Socks Concert comes on the heels of the annual Burning Snowman Fest, which will take place the day before.

“This was truly inspired by the Burning Snowman Fest,” Maple said. “Burning Snowman will bring this influx of people, and I’m hoping this gives them a reason to stay another day.”

The concert is the first of four fundraisers that Playmakers will host this year. Maple is hoping the concert not only brings much-needed funds to the theater, but also attracts exposure.

Port Clinton firefighter paramedics Alva Conger, left, and Isabel Knowlton are ready to help Playmakers Civic Theatre set fire to winter during the Sunday, Feb. 26 Burn Your Socks Concert. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

“We did a comedy show and a radio show last year, and it brought a different demographic to the theater. We had a new crop of people coming to those shows,” she said. “Although the theater has been here 50-plus years, a lot of people don’t know about the theater. We want to capture new eyes and ears and let them know about Playmakers.”

The audience is encouraged to wear tropical shirts and flip-flops to the concert. Beer and wine will be available by donation, and a small dance floor will be set up amongst the beach chairs.

“It will have a great listening room vibe for a concert,” Maple said. “I love the idea of getting rid of winter socks, slipping on an island shirt, sipping on a drink and listening to music. It will be a Sunday fun day – a great day to have fun.”