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AUSTINTOWN -- Austintown Park is ready to resume its outdoor concerts if Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signs a health order similar to guidelines released Friday.
"As soon as it's signed, we're a go," Trustee Jim Davis said.
The concert series was shut down last week after Mahoning County Public Health Commissioner Ryan Tekac received a complaint about the concerts. Tekac said at the time he thought the park was doing a good job with social distancing and masks, but current state regulations didn't permit mass gatherings of more than 10 people.
DeWine didn't issue a health order regarding performing arts venues as expected Friday, but guidelines released late Friday for outdoor venues set attendance limits at 15 percent of capacity or a maximum of 1,500 people, whichever is smaller.
At 6.3 acres for the park on Kirk Road and with attendance normally between 300 and 400 people each week, Davis said they should be able to resume with those new guidelines.
"It's been a huge success for us," Davis said. "All of our board has taken the opportunity to go to the park and make an informed decision. It's safer than seeing any of these bands in a bar or restaurant, which you can legally do."
The series was expanded with Thursday concerts in September shortly before the shutdown. If the weather cooperates, Davis said, the trustees will consider extending it into October.
agray@tribtoday.comAustintown ready
to resume concerts