Panacea & Friends will return to the pavilion at Dickinson Memorial Park, 50 Elm Drive, for another Labor Day weekend show.

Hosted by siblings Corky Ballard and Leslie Ballard, this year’s show will be Sunday, September 6, 2-6 pm, rain or shine.

The line-up will include original Panacea members Corky Ballard on bass and vocals, and Leslie Ballard on flute and vocals, with special guests longtime Panacea keyboardist Christian Martirano; Tony Traina, drums; Jim Lynch, guitar; Steve Moran, sax; and Austen Lesu, trumpet.

Admission is free. Those planning to attend are asked to consider bringing nonperishables for The Bridget Seaman Memorial FAITH Food Pantry Drive. The pantry collection has been a feature since the first reunion performance. Bridget Seaman volunteered to run the donation table during many Panacea Labor Day weekend shows. The pantry collection was renamed in her honor following her passing in April 2021.

Wafel Wagen will be at the park that afternoon, selling fresh sweet and savory Belgian waffles.

In 1970, Panacea won the All-State Battle of the Bands, featuring a program of original music written by Corky Ballard and drummer Rick Kuhn, with guitarist Jon Dodson, and Leslie Ballard playing flute. All four took turns as lead vocalists. Along with those just mentioned, the original Panacea band lineup also included Newtowners Mat Harris and Bruce Tibbitts.

The group became a popular staple for proms, dances, reunions, and weddings, encouraging all of the members to continue careers in music.

In 2013, in response to 12/14, a small group of Newtown High School alumni organized The Great Newtown Reunion, a Day of Healing, and invited Panacea to reunite to close out the event, adding some warm memories for many attendees.

Original band members returned to Newtown from around the country to play together for the first time in 50 years.

Performers and attendees alike enjoyed the 2013 band reunion so much that Panacea has continued to host an informal annual reunion at Dickinson Park almost every Labor Day weekend for the past 13 years. The pavilion fills with crowds of friends, old and new, with even some teachers and administrators making surprise appearances.

In 2023 Panacea hosted what it called “the Final Panacea Reunion,” but there were so many requests from people who plan on the annual get-together that Panacea members and siblings Corky and Leslie Ballard decided to continue the event.

Although hosted as a town-wide event, the reunion has also become a tradition for many Newtown High School grads, some traveling from other countries, as an opportunity to meet up and reconnect with their hometown friends.

Guests are welcome to bring nonalcoholic beverages, but grilling is not allowed. Guests are reminded that glass containers and pets are not permitted in the park, with the exception of identified service dogs.

Watch The Newtown Bee and Panacea Newtown’s Facebook page for updates.