This post was provided by News Now Warsaw
News Release
SYRACUSE — A holiday tradition is beginning an exciting new chapter.
The 13th Annual Country Christmas with Susie McEntire & Friends will take place December 12, at the brand-new Wawasee Performing Arts Center at Wawasee High School, where the event will have the distinction of being the first concert presented in the new facility.
This year’s show will feature multi-award-winning inspirational country artist Susie McEntire, Grammy Award-winning country artist Linda Davis, singer-songwriter Keenie, and additional special guests to be announced.
The concert will begin at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m, a news release said.
The news release did not explain the reason for the change, but Lakeview Middle School, which has hosted the concert for years, is currently undergoing renovataions.
As it has been throughout its history, A Country Christmas will remain FREE to the public thanks to the generous support of the event’s loyal sponsors.
While there is no admission charge, those attending are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy and help fill the Toys for Tots collection boxes to make Christmas a little brighter for children throughout Kosciusko County.
Over the years, the generosity of sponsors and concertgoers has helped A Country Christmas collect approximately $90,000 worth of toys for Toys for Tots.
For the past 12 years, Lakeview Middle School in Warsaw has been home to A Country Christmas, and organizers are extremely grateful for the school’s hospitality and the many wonderful memories created there.
“We will always appreciate Lakeview Middle School for opening its doors to us and helping this event grow into the Christmas tradition it has become,” organizers said. “After 12 years at Lakeview, we are incredibly excited about this next chapter and honored that A Country Christmas will be the very first concert held in the brand-new Wawasee Performing Arts Center. It gives us an opportunity to celebrate an amazing new facility while continuing what this event has always been about — bringing people together and helping make Christmas brighter for local children.”
We also want everyone to know, when Susie comes to town with her husband Mark, they visit various organizations, share their stories, inspire others and make an immeasurable impact in the lives of our citizens. Because of our sponsors, lives are being changed!”
Kristin Bonner, director of the Wawasee Performing Arts Center, said the new facility is excited to welcome the performers, the audience and the Toys for Tots mission.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Susie McEntire, Linda Davis and Keenie to the stage for the very first concert at the Wawasee Performing Arts Center! This is such an exciting moment for our community, and we couldn’t think of a better way to begin this new chapter. We’re also thrilled that our first concert will give us an opportunity to give back through Toys for Tots. We hope people will come out, enjoy an incredible evening of music, and help us fill the Performing Arts Center with toys and the spirit of giving!”
The event is organized by the ML Community Impact Alliance, Inc with the major support of the Leesburg Methodist Church and our other loyal sponsors, whose generosity makes it possible to continue offering A Country Christmas free of charge while supporting Toys for Tots and local children during the holiday season.
Additional performers and special guests for this year’s celebration will be announced in the coming weeks.
