The Hersheypark concert started at 7 p.m. with The Working Title taking the stage. This energetic band from South Carolina played a rapid fire set of songs from their debut album. Afterwards, Adam Duritz from the Counting Crows came out on stage to let fans know that for the past ten years the band has been inviting area groups to set up tables at their shows to raise awareness and provide resources regarding local issues. Adam named these organizations and also reminded people that 2006 is an election year and that everyone should exercise their right (no their responsibility!) to vote. Duritz would reiterate these points at the end of the show with a word about USA Harvest, an organization that collects and delivers food to the local community immediately after their double bill concerts. Crediting the Goo Goo Dolls for bringing this particular non-profit on board, Duritz cited that their concerts together had collected over 500,000 pounds of non-perishable good to date.

The three core members of the Goo Goo Dolls were joined on stage by two other touring players as they opened their Friday night set with "Stay With You" from their latest record, Let Love In. The new track is lively and captures the essence of the band's signature sound, which fans have come to expect and enjoy. John Rzeznik was all over the stage, shaking his blond mane, and invoking screams from females in the audience.

Next up was the popular "Slide", propelled by Mike Malinin's powerful drumming which kept the fans on their feet, swaying to this stellar hit single and radio favorite. Afterwards, John rapped that they had a day off in Harrisburg, commenting that it was a cool place where they found good pizza while having a great day and evening in the capital city.

Robbie Takac spoke to Kweevak Radio host Rockin' Rich before the show!

"Feel The Silence" was another new song, which started off slow and smoky before gently building momentum to the chorus and then returning to a mid-tempo groove. Robby Takac sang lead on "Black Balloon", an edgier tune with slick guitar licks. John explained that "Tucked Away" is a song about a city that completely vanished off the map. The backdrop of words flashing among the lights was dramatic. Adding to the effects were some extended instrumentation and the vocal inflections of the song were also dynamic.

"We'll Be Here" was acoustic based and featured a creative guitar and keyboard exchange. John said they were having a great time but he was having trouble reaching some of the high notes, asking the audience to help sing along during "Iris". The crowd complied creating what John referred to as a real arena rock moment. Robby asked the fans to dance to "Listen" which was a compelling rocker with a message from their current record.

John joked about hearing "Name" on the loudspeakers during a recent visit to the grocery store. He described the occasion as somewhat humbling and then started performing their rock radio staple. Shortly after the first verse and chorus he noticed a fan in the front row talking on a cell phone. He immediately stopped playing, as did the band, and addressed the distracted fan personally.

"Can we talk to your girlfriend," Rzeznik inquired before demanding the phone from the fan and asking the person on the other end why she was not there at the evening's concert. The band would return to finish their classic, letting the hit flow in a number of musical directions, but not before Rzeznik chastised the absent fan on the phone with, "next time don't be so cheap!"

The Goo Goo Dolls set was a fair mix of old and new material. They played fan favorites including "Naked" and "Broadway" interspersed with tracks from the new CD. Throughout their show were dazzling lights, other effects and plenty of energy. The band has all their songs down and two unique vocalists add to the diversity of their sound within the pop/rock format that they have embraced.

Rzeznik reiterated that he was having a great time but reminded us that things are getting scary in this world as he dedicated "Better Days" to those hiding from bombs and rockets. The Goo Goo Dolls closed the set with "Let Love In". The encore included two tracks from the new record, "Become" and their spirited version of Supertramp's "Give A Little Bit".

Learn how make chocolate at the factory tour in Chocolate World!

Although the Counting Crows are not referred to as a jam band they do accept the idea of improvisation by expanding upon their well-known hits. The Counting Crows set was a multi-faceted experience with colored lights and visual effects as a backdrop to their colorful songs. Adam Duritz is a charismatic lead man with his wild dreads and commanding vocal style. The rest of the Counting Crows are first-class musicians who are apt at experimentation or recreating the sounds found on their records.

The Counting Crows opened the show with "Anna Begins", which started off at a slow tempo and filled out as the song progressed. "Mrs. Potter's Lullaby" was dreamy with its multi-layered instrumentation and dramatic harmonizing vocals. Adam then gave a brief rap about falling in love with movie stars - not recommended - and playing a blues festival in a desert pioneer town as a lead in to a rich version of "Omaha". The accordion and mandolin parts strongly stood out, along with some fine slide guitar work.

The Counting Crows reinvented Joni Mitchell's classic "Big Yellow Taxi" with heavy rhythms and spirited guitar work. The band is tight and Adam connects with his fans often standing at the edge of the stage moving from left to right to sing at different sections of the Hershey venue. Other highlights of The Counting Crow's animated set included "Time and Time Again" and "Monkey".

After a number of high energy songs Duritz sat down at the piano to play the opening notes to "A Long December", at first accompanied only by the accordion, with the other members joining in methodically to add their layers. Adam mentioned how their recent live album captures the improvisation of their songs, acknowledging rock's experimental granddaddies The Grateful Dead as a major influence.

Hersheypark features over 60 rides and varied entertainment like the country music show!

"We flipped this on its rear", Duritz said before performing their reworked and beautiful version of "Rain King". Adam started off seated on a speaker, sort of quietly speaking/singing to the audience, but soon he was on his feet rapping about change as the instrumentation grew more dynamic. "A Murder of One" was also potent, with Duritz directing the band impulsively on the fly, ever-expanding until the dramatic conclusion that was punctuated by Duritz slamming down his mic stand to close the set.

Their encore included "Hanging Around" in which members of The Working Title and the Goo Goo Dolls joined in as did a number of children, who added to the festivities by harmonizing and exerting the crowd to clap along and join in the fun. The last song of night was "Holiday In Spain". The Counting Crows set was compact but great combining creative musicianship, stories and a reminder to support worthy causes and vote. The Counting Crows are seven talented artists taking roots rock to a free spirited, higher level!

In 1907, Milton S. Hershey, the chocolate pioneer and visionary philanthropist, opened a happy place aptly named Hersheypark as a gift to his employees. In the early century it featured simple pleasures such as a merry-go-round, a picnic area and an amphitheater. Over the years the park and the town of Hershey have grown to become a popular resort destination featuring a first rate theme park, beautiful botanical gardens, golf, outlet shopping, concert venues and of course, chocolate. Hersheypark has over sixty attractions that range from mild kiddie rides to wild roller coasters and water attractions. In addition to shops and dinning there are candy-come-to-life characters, entertaining themed shows, and strolling performers to keep children of all ages happy.

Hershey Park celebrates 100 years of fun in 2007!

Hershey will be commemorating its 100th anniversary in 2007. A huge celebration is planned that will include extra entertainment, festive decorations, abundant fireworks, visitor gifts and prizes, more music and the unveiling of the Hershey Boardwalk. The Boardwalk will feature a water play area, food, games and retail outlets. The centerpiece of this expansion will be East Coast Waterworks, the largest water-play structure in the world, that will have more than 200 interactive water toys. 2007 will be a great time for people to experience the park for the first time or a grand occasion for those returning to this popular resort destination.

The tram from the parking lot drops patrons at the front of Hersheypark. To the right is Chocolate World and straight ahead is the main entrance to the park, which looks like a quaint German town square. The shops sell souvenirs and chocolate. The park is divided into eight sections with rides often relating to a theme. For example, The Founder's Circle has the carrousel, Minetown the Coal Cracker and Pioneer Frontier has Freeman's Texas BBQ serving up Texas tea, BBQ and a flavorful 4 cheese mac & cheese. Throughout the park there are flowers, food, games and entertainment with show times posted by the stages. Strolling musicians like the jazz band that Kweevak saw near the Starship America ride are also part of the festivities.

Hersheypark is growing and one of its most recent additions is the Reese's Xtream Cup Challenge - an interactive, dark ride that pits one car against another in a competition where everyone is a winner with a Reese's cup handed out to all at the end of the challenge. For the 100th anniversary in 2007 there will be more new rides and thrills for park attendees.

The botanical gardens at the Hershey Resort Hotel were spectacularly manicured!

Chocolate World is fun with its chocolate making tour that takes riders thought a simulated factory to learn how Hershey chocolate is made. The 12-minute tour is both educational and entertaining. There is also a 3-D show and an opportunity for kids to pack their own kisses on a packaging line. Trolley Works conducts an informative trolley tour through the town of Hershey.

The Hershey Museum features exhibits about Indians, the Hershey family and Wunnerbar Dinga - "wonderful things from the PA German Collection". In addition, there are daily candy chats, family activities and hands-on play for kids in the Discovery Room.

ZooAmerica is included in the Hershey Park admission or it can be visited separately. ZooAmerica focuses on animals found in North America such as bison, elk, mountain lions and porcupine to name a few. Kweevak happened upon the gray wolfs at feeding time and had a great opportunity to see these wild and majestic animals up close.

The Goo Goo Dolls are from Buffalo - Hershey's ZooAmerica was home to these bison!

The Hershey Gardens are a short drive from the park. The grounds are spectacular with a wide range of gardens including Japanese, perennial, rock, rose and seasonal. There is also a children's garden that is educational and fun with its hideaways, musical instruments and large bugs made of various wood and metal. In addition, there is a butterfly house with many species of the winged-creatures and an opportunity to learn the life cycle from egg to adult butterfly.

Hersheypark also has a number of concert venues in the park and on its ground that have hosted many well-known acts including regular appearances by The Dave Matthews Band, The Rolling Stones in 2005, Toby Keith and a slew of others in 2006. Hersheypark is anticipating an extra-stellar calendar of events to coincide with its 100th birthday celebrations in 2007.

Hershey, Pennsylvania is the city that chocolate has built. Mr. Hershey's vision of a happy place has grown to a full scale resort destination with a wide range of activities for children of all ages. Hersheypark is the world's Mecca of chocolate that serves its flock of sweet-toothed devotes admirably. With its numerous alluring attractions and the promise of freshly made chocolate treats it's no wonder that Hershey is aptly known as the sweetest place on earth.

The Hershey factory that built the sweet city of Hershey, PA!

Related Links: For more information on Counting Crows, The Goo Goo Dolls, Hershey Park and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- CountingCrows.com | Buy Counting Crows CD | GooGooDolls.com | Buy Goo Goo Dolls CD | HersheyPA.com | 100 Years of Happy! | USAharvest.com

(Originally Published on August 01, 2006)