Grotto Pizza is determined to show its Harveys Lake location is a desirable place to spend a summer weekend.

The lakeside restaurant will launch an entertainment series beginning Memorial Day weekend, May 26 through 28, and continuing throughout the late spring and summer, that will feature live music, unique beer offers, a new Grotto mascot, and a Friday night shuttle between Pittston and Harveys Lake.

On May 26, a shuttle will begin transporting people from Susquehanna Brewing Company in Pittston to Grotto Harveys at 5 p.m. and will continue making round trips until 11 p.m. The service will run every Friday through June at least.

An exclusive firkin of SBC Blueberry IPA will be tapped at 7 p.m. Grotto Director of Marketing Tony DeCosmo said the “one-off” firkins will be tapped three times throughout the summer.

“The firkins are low volume, so it’s going to be a unique flavor blend that will only be available that Friday at Grotto Haveys Lake,” DeCosmo said. “We’ll be selling growlers. We sell out quickly, so you’ll want to get out there and try it.”

Live music will begin at 8:30 p.m. when Strawberry Jam brings their classic rock stylings to the restaurant.

May 27 will keep the tunes rolling with Stingray Delpriore’s Whiskey Hill Project, which goes on at 5 p.m.

“It’s an all original project,” Delpriore said. “We just finished a six-song EP we did over the winter. That’s going to be there with us. We’ll be doing Whiskey Hill Project songs and some cover stuff.”

Delpriore, a known blues man and jazz performer, said his latest work touches on a several genres that cater to each specific song.

“I wrote a song in 2016 called ‘2016,’” Delpriore said. “It was about the state of affairs at the time. It’s not too different than what Neil Young did on ‘Rockin’ in the Free World.’ I did a song called ‘Any Day Now,’ and it’s kind of ballady.”

Delpriore said one of his projects was first to play at the Grotto “back when they started doing music,” and that he’s looking forward to returning.

“It’s a really nicely run operation,” Delpriore said. “The hospitality is second to none. They’re super fair about everything.”

While Whiskey Hill entertains inside, patrons can enjoy a party on the deck, hosted by Grotto’s new pirate mascot, Captain G.

“He’ll be doing a lot of improvising, and entertaining with little contests and jokes,” DeCosmo said of the mascot. You’ll be able to get your picture taken with Captain G. against a backdrop for selfies.”

Actor John Beppler, of Larksville, has previous experience as a mascot and has been hired to portray the swashbuckling deck host, who’ll be awarding prizes and handing out giveaways at each outdoor party.

“In a way, I’m emceeing, being everywhere at once,” Beppler said. “As an actor, I’m a high energy guy. I plan on taking all of that energy and focusing it on this Captain G. character and making it fun for everyone else so they can relax, have some drinks and have some fun they might not be used to.

We want to make each deck party different than the previous one. I’m going to try to keep everything off the cuff. Who knows what will happen.”

Saturdays will also feature beer varieties from Heavy Seas Beer, of Baltimore.

BNC DJ will keep patrons dancing from 8 to 11 p.m. May 27, and 8 p.m. will be the start time for musical entertainment on Saturdays throughout June.

Grotto will welcome Outta the Blue for a 3 p.m. performance on May 28, which will close the book on the opening weekend.

DeCosmo said he has a “nice mix” of local favorites and acts from outside the area planned for coming months.

“Every week, we’re going to have somebody who’s a little different and brings their own playlist,” he said. “It’s never going to be the same thing twice. That’s particularly on Saturday nights.”

DeCosmo said the coming summer’s full schedule of live music and deck parties is a way of reminding patrons how much fun Grotto Harveys Lake can be.

“Grotto Pizza at Harveys Lake has been a summer destination for generations, and this year, we’re trying to re-emphasize that Grotto Harveys Lake is like a little resort in your own backyard,” DeCosmo said. “You can do fun, exciting, unique things with great entertainment without having to get in your car and drive a couple hours.”

DeCosmo noted that Grotto’s new beer, a reworked version of SBC’s Sunset on the Lake is only available at the three Grotto locations in Pennsylvania (Harvey’s Lake, Edwardsville and Wilkes-Barre).

“The recipe was tweaked a little bit for 2017, and we think it’s better than ever,” he said. “The other thing we have that’s unique is that you can’t get Grotto pizza anywhere except Grotto Pizza.”

For a comprehensive schedule of future entertainment at Grotto Harveys Lake, visit grottopizzapa.com.

‘Stingray’ Delpriore, left, performs as part of a duo in 2016. His Whiskey Hill Project will perform as a trio starting at 5 p.m. May 27 at Grotto Harveys Lake.
https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_TTL06XX16CourtyardMusic1.jpg‘Stingray’ Delpriore, left, performs as part of a duo in 2016. His Whiskey Hill Project will perform as a trio starting at 5 p.m. May 27 at Grotto Harveys Lake. Weekender file photo

Grotto Pizza’s Harveys Lake location will host live entertainment each weekend through the late spring and early summer, and will be an exclusive distributor of Susquehanna Brewing Company’s Sunset at the Lake.
https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1__MG_1420-web-use.jpgGrotto Pizza’s Harveys Lake location will host live entertainment each weekend through the late spring and early summer, and will be an exclusive distributor of Susquehanna Brewing Company’s Sunset at the Lake. Submitted photo

The warm weather schedule kicks of May 26 through 28 at Grotto Harveys Lake and will feature a deck party every Saturday with new pirate mascot Captain G.
https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_Deck-photo-revised.jpgThe warm weather schedule kicks of May 26 through 28 at Grotto Harveys Lake and will feature a deck party every Saturday with new pirate mascot Captain G. Submitted photo
Live entertainment, deck parties begin Memorial Day weekend

By Matt Mattei

mmattei@timesleader.com

IF YOU GO

May 26: Shuttle starts at 5 p.m. from Susquehanna Brewing Company, 635 Main St., Pittston, and makes round trips to Grotto Harveys Lake, 3445, Lakeside Drive, until 11 p.m. No alcohol is allowed on the shuttle. Firkin of SBC blueberry IPA tapped at 7 p.m. Strawberry Jam begins performance at 8:30 p.m.

May 27: ‘Stingray’ Delpriore’s Whiskey Hill project performs starting at 5 p.m. Deck party takes place outside with new mascot Captain G. Music by BNC DJ from 8 to 11 p.m. and featured beer by Heavy Seas Beer.

May 28: Outta the Blue performs at 3 p.m.

Additional information: There is no cover charge for these events. For future entertainment listings at Grotto Harveys Lake, visit grottopizzapa.com.

Reach Matt Mattei at 570-991-6651 or on Twitter @TimesLeaderMatt.