Highmark Health to present community celebration to open new Highmark Amphitheater

Free Concert to feature former Journey Lead Singer, Steve Augeri

ERIE, Pa. (June 21, 2017) — Now that the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority has completed construction on the new Highmark Amphitheater, the popular Erie venue will officially open on June 27th with a ribbon cutting, health fair, and free community concert, presented by Highmark Health, Allegheny Health Network, Saint Vincent Hospital, and the Erie Port Authority. The amphitheater is located in Liberty Park on Erie's bay front.

The concert will feature the music of Journey, performed by Steve Augeri, lead vocalist for Journey from 1998 to 2006.

The event, which is also supported by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, will open with the health fair from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saint Vincent Hospital, part of the Allegheny Health Network, will provide preventive health information and free blood pressure screenings. The Saint Vincent Mobile Medical Unit will be onsite for the event.

At 6:25 p.m., Highmark will host a ribbon cutting to officially open the new venue.

Erie band, MS.2 will perform at 6:30 p.m., followed by The Steve Augeri Band at 8 p.m.

The Saint Vincent Children's Miracle Network (CMN) will sponsor a free community art project, which will allow children to decorate picnic tables with their painted handprints. CMN will then donate the decorated tables to Liberty Park.

Allegheny Health Network and Saint Vincent Hospital will also feature an anatomically correct large-scale inflatable human heart that participants can walk through. This highly interactive educational experience helps increase awareness about heart health. In addition, The American Heart Association will be offering information about heart health and its upcoming Heart Walk.

The event will also include giveaways and a selfie station.

"We are excited to present this event, which will introduce the new Highmark Amphitheater to the Erie community," said Dan Onorato, Executive Vice President of Highmark Health. "We know how important this venue is to not only the residents of northwest Pennsylvania, but to the tens of thousands who visit the area every summer. We are proud to be a part of something that will enable so many to enjoy music and other special events, but will also help the small businesses of this region by increasing tourism."

The Highmark concert will kick off the summer season for the amphitheater. The popular 8 Great Tuesdays concert series will begin July 11.

"The Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority is thankful to Highmark for their vision and support in developing the new Amphitheater at Liberty Park, said Port Authority Executive Director Brenda Sandberg. Highmark's investment in this free regional asset has enhanced recreational opportunities and, in turn, the quality of life for not only all of the residents of Erie, but also visitors to Erie County."