The Roar From These Shores

Back in 1963, the Roar on the Shore had nothing to do with motorcycles. Erie residents were in a patriotic mood, celebrating the Perry Sesquicentennial in a big way. A replica of the Flagship Niagara was assembled in Veteran's Memorial Stadium at 26th and State Street, along with a 300 foot stage. Five hundred people appeared in a series of performances that spanned seven days in August of 1963. The Roar From These Shores came from the audience at the end of each show. 

Tonight Show host Jack Paar said, "One thing is evident- it's a great community effort. I've never seen such a project as this before. We need more of this in America."

PA Governor William Scranton said, "I've seen a lot of pageants. This is by far the best I have ever seen. I'm really impressed."

An advertisement claimed, "Any child who sees "From These Shores' will cherish the memory all his life and thank you for it. Don't be the on to deny him the best look he'll ever get at the history of Erie."

Were you one of the children who saw the show? Did you appear in "From These Shores?" I'm looking for pictures of the event and I'm sure someone has a few in a scrapbook. If you would like to contribute photos to an upcoming project about the Perry Sesquicentennial, be sure to act now. Contact me here to participate. Can't wait to hear your stories.

Enjoy more facts and photos of Erie, Pennsylvania at: Old Time Erie

Bon Jovi Concert Line at Erie Stadium

Bon Jovi concert line photo ©Debbi Lyon2013.

When Bon Jovi announced plans to play a concert at Veteran's Memorial Stadium on July 25, 1987, it was big news. The band was at the tail end of its 15 month Slippery When Wet world tour and was at its peak. Bon Jovi nailed the Billboard year end charts, claiming the Top Pop Album, Top Pop Single and Top Music Videocasstette for 1987. They performed in Japan, England, Germany, Canada, and all the major markets in the United States. 

So, how did Erie manage to snag a top-name musical artist? Some say it was because Jon Bon Jovi had a soft-spot for Erie, the town where his mother- formerly Carol Sharkey- grew up. Fame brought frequent Jon Bon Jovi rumors, causing plenty of teenage girls to cruise by the house where Jon's grandmother lived in Erie, hoping for a glimpse of the heart-throb.

Academy High School looms large in the background of the Bon Jovi concert line photo shown above. I walked along State Street from 26th to 29th Street snapping shots like this. It was a rainy day, and some of the people in line at the Erie Stadium were drenched.

Enjoy more facts and photos of Erie, PA at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com

Save-An-Eye 1955 All-Star Football Game Erie, PA

Walt Strasser and Mike Ferarre coached the City All Stars in the annual Save-An-Eye football game at the Erie Stadium in Erie, PA on September 5, 1955. 

Academy High School was well represented with eight players, John Torrelli, Fred Trott, James Graham, Erwin Bloxdorf, Jerry Winters, Graham Parsons, Ernest Dunn and Ken Sullivan. Cathedral Prep Memorial High School also had eight players on the team, Charles Augustine, William Bujnoski, Dick Dill, Dan Desser, Frank Haraczy, George Mangol, Tom Corapi and Jim Schaaf. Strong Vincent High School had six players: Fred Bongiorno, Thomas Tomb, Angelo Zonno, Ronald Thomas, Walter Pelkowski and Ron Haugsdahl. East High School had Ed DeLuca, William Dodge, George Smith and Paul Shopene. Tech High School had Richard Anderson, Gordon Ketchel, Bernard Kowalski and Ed Bednarowicz.

The County All Stars featured players from McDowell, North East, St. Gregory, Waterford, Wesleyville, Lawrence Park, Harborcreek, Fairview, Girard, Union City, Corry, Cambridge Springs and Albion High Schools. The County team was coached by Lou Hanna and Russell Brandt.

Thirteen thousand fans watched the game at Veterans Stadium in Erie, Pennsylvania. The game raised money for the Erie Lions Club. The City won 19 to 13.

Fred Trott was a standout athlete at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Edinboro University Athletics Hall of Fame.

Here is a link to the 1953 Save-An-Eye scorecard:
http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2013/01/save-eye-1953-all-star-football-game.html