In the center of our wonderful Old Courthouse Square stands a structure that serves as a gathering point for many concerts, festivals and weddings. Is this structure a bandstand or a gazebo?
According to Wikipedia, a gazebo is a pavilion structure, often octagonal, commonly found in parks, gardens and spacious public areas. Gazebos are freestanding, or attached to a garden wall, roofed, and open on all sides. They provide shade, basic shelter and a place to rest. Some gazebos in public parks are large enough to serve as bandstands.
A bandstand is a circular or semicircular structure set in a park, garden or pier and designed to accommodate musical bands performing outdoor concerts. A simple construction which not only creates an ornamental focal point it also serves acoustic requirements whilst providing shelter for the changeable weather. Many bandstands in the United States originated in the Victorian era as the British brass band movement gained popularity. Smaller bandstands are ofter not much more than gazebos.
Since a gazebo is a small detached structure and our “structure” is large, as well as accommodating to bands and concerts, I am going to conclude that what we have is a bandstand!
This raging controversy has torn our community apart for too long.