Panacea will be returning to Dickinson Park for this year’s Labor Day weekend concert.

Panacea & Friends will perform hits of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s from 2 to 6 pm, on Sunday, September 5. In the event of rain, everything will happen under the pavilion at the park on Elm Drive.

While the schedule generally remains the same as past years — an opening set by the Willie-Portera Trio, then a set by the Rue, followed by the performance by Panacea and requests for donations for FAITH Food Pantry — Panacea member Leslie Ballard is working on something very special this time around.

To memorialize Bridget Seaman — the late Bee Publishing Company co-worker and a friend to generations of Newtown residents — Ballard is asking everyone to help make this year’s collection for the food pantry the biggest one to date. FAITH Food Pantry had a special place in Seaman’s heart, and she was instrumental, as highlighted in her obituary just a few months ago, in raising awareness for the need of donations for the nondenominational pantry.

Attendees would carry in donations to the concerts each Labor Day Sunday, and Seaman made a point of delivering them to the Church Hill Road pantry within a few days.

With Bridget’s sudden death in April, this year’s collection will be made in her memory.

Terry Curry Laslo (NHS Class of 1975) and her husband, who have, according to Ballard, been active with other food drives, have volunteered to set up the donation table for September 5.

FAITH Food Pantry President Lee Paulsen has offered collection carts for the event, also according to Ballard, and food pantry volunteer Jim Shpunt has reportedly volunteered to pack up donations and deliver them.

In addition to donations of nonperishable food, cleaning items, personal hygiene items, and pet supplies, this year’s collection will offer an opportunity for attendees to make donations by cash or check.

“Anyone who wants to make a cash donation, even pocket change, instead of bringing an item, can do so,” Ballard told The Newtown Bee on August 10. “That way, everyone can participate.”

To thank those who make donations to what Ballard is calling the Panacea Bridget Food Drive, everyone who donates that Sunday afternoon will receive a raffle ticket for drawings for a vintage style Newtown High School logo T-shirt featuring the former Indian logo and a copy of Newtown Scenes, the Paintings of Rick Kuhn.

Panacea’s drummer and one of its vocalists, Kuhn earlier this year released his second book featuring his original paintings.

Panacea formed in the early 1970s. All members were students of Newtown High School.

In addition to Leslie Ballard (Class of 1972) on flute and vocals and Kuhn (’70), the band’s members continue to include Corky Ballard (’70) on bass and vocals, Jon Dodson (’70) on guitar and vocals, and Bruce Tibbitts (’69) on guitar and vocals. The band reunited in 2013 to perform at the 2013 Great Newtown Reunion. It continued annual Labor Day weekend shows 2014 through 2019; last year’s event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Those planning to attend the September 5 concert will need to provide their own seating. There is plenty of room for social distancing, and COVID-19 guidelines will be followed, according to Ballard.

Dancing will be strongly encouraged.

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Associate Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.