Free Popcorn, Free Water at Neverly Brothers Concert Tonight

Nomatter how high the temps, free popcorn is always a hot commodity at the Burr Ridge Concerts on the Green. For the past three years, Russell Smith, a resident and financial advisor at Edward Jones has given out popcorn for a concert that he's personally sponsored.

"It's amazing the number of children that will come up—sometimes three or four times for more popcorn," said Smith.

The popcorn is free, along with the bottled water Smith gives out, although he says many of the people who stand in line are holding dollar bills, expecting to pay for their snacks. This year, Smith has decided to collect donations for the upkeep of Burr Ridge's Veteran's Memorial.

"If they're willing to pay for popcorn, maybe they'll be willing to donate to the Veteran's Memorial," said Smith, who is on the Veteran's Memorial Committee.

Smith says the line for popcorn is always long, and large numbers are expected for tonight's Neverly Brothers concert. Last week's concert drew more than 1,000 people.

As he has done for the past three years, Smith will borrow a popcorn machine from his friend Downers Grove resident Howard Heil, owner of Heil2o, and set up under a tent on the Village Green with three to four cases of water. Volunteers from the Village Center will be helping to hand out water and popcorn to concertgoers.

In addition to tonight's concert, Smith also will sponsor the Elton John and Billy Joel concert on July 27.

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