2024 Summer Guide

 

The Focus 2024 Summer Guide Features Local Events & Live Music! The events are sorted by community and date, and we have only included information that we could confirm. We hope that you enjoy your summer!

Asheville

Shindig on the Green, Asheville Downtown, 7/6, 7/13, 7/20, 7/27, 8/10, 8/17, 8/24. This free mountain bluegrass music and dance festival is a summer favorite, held in its longtime home in the center of downtown Asheville on the Roger McGuire Green at Pack Square Park in front of City Hall. Locals and visitors gather “along about sundown,” or at 7pm for those who wear a watch, until 10:00p.m. Concessions are available. Come experience the beautiful music and dance traditions of Southern Appalachia on a summer evening in the mountains. Musicians and dancers from across Western North Carolina gather to share the region’s stirring Southern Appalachian mountain culture and traditions. Join them to celebrate their 58th year in 2024! Don’t miss one of our favorite authentic music events of the year. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and stake out a spot on the “green.” But don’t sit in your chair the entire time. Parking is available in marked and metered spaces throughout downtown Asheville (free after 6 PM). Across College Street from Pack Square Park is Buncombe County’s Charlotte Street Parking Deck. Street address: 121 College St, Asheville. https://folkheritage.org/

Annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, Summer Edition, 7/18-7/21, Downtown Asheville’s Harrah’s Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood Street Asheville, NC; Thursday-Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm, Tickets: $12, children under 12 can enter for free. Over 200 juried artisans of the Southern Highland Craft Guild will fill both the concourse and arena levels of the venue. Visitors are invited to explore a variety of fine American craft ranging from contemporary to traditional works of clay, wood, metal, glass, fiber, natural materials, paper, leather, mixed media, and jewelry. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage with the region’s finest makers. Asheville Street Parking, 700 metered spaces, $1.50 per hour, and FREE on Sunday. Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce also has available parking for visitors. In addition to Harrah’s Cherokee Center-Asheville’s parking garage below the building. For street parking, please utilize Asheville’s parking app for a real-time display of open parking spaces downtown. On Saturday & Sunday, the following school parking lots will be empty for you to use: Asheville Middle, Isaac Dickson, Montford North Star. Visit https://www.southernhighlandguild.org or visit craftguild.org/craftfair

97th Mountain Folk Festival, 8/1-8/3, Watch and listen to some of the finest Appalachian ballad singers, string bands and square dance teams at the nation’s longest running folk festival. Beginning back to 1928, the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival presents three nights of authentic bluegrass music and dance with a different line-up each night. The indoor performances are held at Lipinsky Hall on the University of NC-Asheville campus (GPS address: 300 Library Lane) from 7PM-9PM each evening. Tickets on sale in advance on their website or at the door starting at 5:30 PM if seats remain. Advance: Adult $20; Students: $5; Children 6-12 $5; 3-night package $55. https://folkheritage.org/asheville-events/mountain-dance-and-folk-festival.

Banner Elk

Art On The Greene, May 25-26, July 6-7, Aug. 3-4 and Aug. 31-Sept. 1., Free, Four times this summer, Art on the Greene brings original artwork in a variety of media to the green at the Historic Banner Elk School, 185 Azalea Circle, Banner Elk, NC 28604. More than 50 artists are scheduled to participate in every show. Each installment of Art on the Greene has a unique lineup, including local artists from the surrounding High Country, as well as artists from throughout the Southeast and beyond. While some exhibitors make repeat appearances, visitors are sure to meet different artists if they attend multiple shows. Hours for Art on the Greene are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information visit www.BannerElk.com or call (828) 898-5398.

Fourth of July Celebration, 7/4, Free, Banner Elk’s Fourth of July Celebration is a day that makes Uncle Sam proud, beginning with one of the most popular July 4th parades in North Carolina and ending with the Party in the Park and Duck Race in Tate-Evans Town Park. The parade begins at 11 a.m. and is open to all who wish to enter a vehicle, float or march. Furry friends are welcome as well. The day continues at 12 noon with the party and rubber duck race in the town park. Food vendors, old-fashioned games like egg tosses and three-legged races, and inflatables add to the fun. https://www.bannerelk.org/4th-of-july.html.

47th Annual Woolly Worm Festival, 10/19-10/20, on the grounds of the Banner Elk Elementary School, 185 Azalea Circle, Banner Elk, 28604. Since 1978, this quirky, world-famous festival has been used to predict the upcoming winter weather for the North Carolina High Country. According to legend, the 13 bands on the woolly worm (woolly bear caterpillar) represent the 13 weeks of winter. Brown bands indicate a mild week, black bands indicate a cold, snowy week. Since every woolly worm has different colors, the Woolly Worm festival holds races to determine which worm is used to make the forecast. The Woolly Worm Festival also includes about 175 craft vendors, food, live entertainment, and rides. This two-day family event annually draws more than 20,000 attendees and takes place during the traditional peak weekend for autumn leaf viewing in Banner Elk and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Saturday’s winning worm receives $1,000 and the honor of predicting the upcoming winter. Races continue on Sunday, with that day’s winner receiving $500. Tickets: $10.00 Adults, $5.00 Children 6-12, 5 and Under Free.  www.woollyworm.com.

Blowing Rock

Art in the Park, 6/15, 7/13, 8/17, 9/7, 10/5, 132 Park Avenue, Downtown Blowing Rock. Outdoor, downtown art shows, 10am-5pm, rain or shine, Free admission, Free parking shuttle, 90+ jury-selected artists at each show. Enjoy arts and crafts from award-winning and acclaimed artisans. Artists are jury-selected and each show features a different set of artists, curated to present a wide variety of mediums. More information at BlowingRock.com/ArtinthePark

Concert in the Park Series, 6/16, 7/14, 8/18, 9/8, 10/6, Free, Blowing Rock’s Concert in the Park Series (Memorial Park, 1036 Main Street, Blowing Rock, NC 28605) is an annual set of free outdoor concerts at the Rotary Gazebo in Memorial Park. All concerts 1-3pm. Always on Sundays following Art in the Park shows, the performances offer entertainment from a variety of musical genres. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to Memorial Park on Main Street to enjoy the music. Bring your family and friends to enjoy some great live music and to support the High Country community! Free parking at the American Legion, 333 Wallingford Street. Follow sidewalks alongside tennis and basketball courts to Memorial Park lawn areas. For music lineup, please visit https://blowingrock.com/concertinthepark/.

Boone

High Country Jazz Festival, 6/7-6/9, The High Country Jazz Festival is back for its third year, hosting exceptional and engaging experiences in venues throughout the Boone area. The event will kick off with a classic film at the historic Appalachian Theatre of the High Country and continues all weekend with Jazz lunches, brunches, and dinners, plus late-night jams at restaurants and breweries, educational workshops, and outdoor performances. There will also be three headlining concerts at the Appalachian Theatre and underneath the tent at Chetola Lake. highcountryjazzfestival.org

Boonerang Music Festival, 6/14 & 6/15, Free, two-day music and arts festival held the third weekend of June in downtown Boone. Taking place on a Friday and Saturday, this festival highlights musicians and artists with connections to Boone who boomerang back home to perform on multiple concert stages. Primary concert venues are street stages on South Depot and North Depot street, as well as a lawn stage at the Jones House and a side stage at Espresso News. Other highlights are local food and craft beer, a vendor market and a kids zone. Happenings surrounding Boonerang include a dance lot, international fest, silent discos and performances at the Appalachian Theatre. https://www.boonerangfest.com/

Appalachian Summer Festival, 6/29 – 7/27 – Boone, NC. This annual celebration of the performing and visual arts is held every July in venues across the university campus, and features an eclectic, diverse mix of music, dance, theatre, visual arts and film programming. An Appalachian Summer Festival began in 1984 as a chamber music series, and retains strong roots in classical music, combined with a variety of other programming geared to almost every artistic taste and preference See full schedule at www.appsummer.org. Tickets for festival events range in price & may be purchased by calling (800) 841-2787.

Burnsville

Mount Mitchell Craft Fair 8/2 & 8/3, Burnsville, NC. Come enjoy more than 200 vendors and performers including bluegrass and acoustic music, food vendors, and a one-of-a-kind selection of handmade arts and crafts from artisans across the country – all in beautiful downtown Burnsville. The Mount Mitchell Crafts Fair brings together mountain heritage, traditional crafting and contemporary art creating a unique event not to be missed. For schedule of events, please check the website closer to the event. https://www.yanceychamber.com/crafts-fair

Charlotte

Coca-Cola 600, 5/24-5/26 – Rev up your Memorial Day weekend with the historic 65th running of the Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR’s toughest test of man and machine! Coca-Cola 600 festivities include: Military Appreciation Activities and Performances and Matchbox Twenty Pre-Race Concert and Driver Appearances. Coca-Cola 600 Festival is a great family-friendly event hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, over Memorial Day Weekend. In addition to the world-class drivers’ appearances, the festival features multiple musical acts, beer tents, and food trucks. For more details on the schedule of events and music lineups, please visit https://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/.

Taste Of Charlotte, NC 6/7 – 6/9, Uptown Charlotte on Tryon St. Charlotte, Fri & Sat 11AM – 11PM, Sun 11AM – 6PM; Taste of Charlotte is a three-day food festival in Charlotte, NC. It features samples from area restaurants and various performances and activities that will surely delight the festival-goers. Aside from that, a large variety of local, regional, and national partners will provide information, coupons, and free stuff! Admission to Taste of Charlotte is FREE. Purchase festival coins to use for restaurant samples, beverages and kid’s activities. You can purchase your coins on site at booths located throughout the festival or go contactless with the new Taste of Charlotte App! www.tasteofcharlotte.com.

Elkin

NC Trail Days Festival 2024, 5/30-6/2, Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, between two state parks and located on the Yadkin River, the trail towns of Elkin and Jonesville are eager to host the 5th annual NC Trail Days festival. NC Trail Days celebrates the outdoor recreation opportunities of this area offering a range of activities from themed hikes and river excursions, to environmental education, live music and much more! the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Overmountain Victory National Scenic Trail and Yadkin River State Trail converge in this area resulting in two eclectic trail towns not to be missed. Bring friends, family and of course, your outdoor gear! Any combination of hiking shoes, boots, bikes, paddle, and camping equipment will do because NC Trail Days has something for everyone. Mark your calendar for May 30th thru June 2nd to come find your trail! www.nctraildays.com

Forest City

Cherry Bounce Festival 6/7 & 6/8, Friday 6pm – 10pm; Saturday 10am – 6pm. Named after moonshiner Amos Owens’ corn whiskey-based “Cherry Bounce” moonshine, the Cherry Bounce Festival features art from local and regional artists, live Bluegrass/Americana music, moonshiners and cherry-inspired items by local restaurants and businesses. The festival kicks off on Friday night with a concert at 7 pm; it continues on Saturday with art vendors, live music, food trucks and special discounts/promotions from our Main Street merchants. The Cherry Bounce Festival is held at the Forest City Pavilion on Park Square (POPS) and along historic Main Street in Forest City. (828) 248-5200, www.townofforestcity.com

Hendersonville

Garden Jubilee, 5/25 & 5/26, Main Street, Hendersonville, NC, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. One of the largest gardening shows in the region, the two-day celebration of all things green fills Main Street with plants, yard tools and outdoor accessories. For additional information about the event, including a full schedule of guest speakers and weekend lodging options, go to www.VisitHendersonvilleNC.org/garden-jubilee or call (828) 693-9708.

Hickory

Sails Original Music Series, 5/24, 5/31, 6/7, 6/14, 6/21, 6/28, 9/6, 9/13, 9/21*, 9/27 Downtown Hickory under The Sails on the Square. The City of Hickory’s Sails Original Music Series returns to downtown Hickory this spring and fall, bringing free concerts of live original music. Performances will begin at 7 p.m. Friday evenings in May, June, and September. Music fans will also enjoy a change of venue for a special Sails Original Music Series concert at the Samuel William Davis, Sr. Multipurpose Field in Taft Broome Park on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 5 p.m.The Hickory Downtown Social District allows patrons of downtown ABC permitted establishments to drink an alcoholic beverage on sidewalks, Union Square, and other public areas within the designated boundaries of the social district. For more information about the Hickory Downtown Social District, special restrictions, and a detailed map of the coverage area, visit https://www.hickorync.gov/downtown-social-district. Music Lineup for 2024: May 3 – Dulci; May 10 – Jive Talk; May 17 – Johnny Sansone; May 24 – Reedy River String Band; May 31 – Pink Beds; June 7 – David Childers & The Serpents; June 14 – Miss Tess; June 21 – Taylor Ashton; June 28 – Empire Strikes Brass; Sept 6 – Certainly So; Sept 13 – Damn the Banjos; Sept 21 – Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’ Blues *Performance at 5 p.m. on Saturday at Samuel William Davis, Sr. Multipurpose Field in Taft Broome Park; Sept 27 – Jacoozy. For more information about the Sails Original Music Series and upcoming bands, please visit www.HickoryNC.gov/SailsMusic and follow the Sails Original Music Series Facebook page, www.facebook.com/SailsMusic.

Hickory Music Factory’s annual “Swingin’ Under the Stars,” 5/26, Downtown Hickory at the “Sails on the Square,” from 6:30-9:30pm. The FREE outdoor event features the Hickory Jazz Orchestra and will perform big band arrangements from the great American songbook. Hickory Music Factory’s “Swingin’ Under the Stars” was the 2009 winner of the “Best Outdoor Event for NC”. In addition, the Hickory Music Factory will pay tribute to members of the community for their years of dedication and musical contributions. So put on your dancing shoes or bring a chair and relax and enjoy the show! This is a rain or shine event. For more information about the “Swingin’ Under the Stars” or how you can support the Hickory Music Factory, please contact 828-308-5659 or visit their website: www.hickorymusicfactory.com.

Crawdads Game and Post-Game Country Concert featuring Reed Foley, 6/8, 5pm; Hickory Crawdads VS Greenville Drive with post game Christian concert. www.milb.com/hickory.

Crawdads Independence Day Extravaganza, 7/3, LP Frans Stadium, 2500 Clement Blvd NW, Hickory, NC 28601; 6:30 PM game, Hickory Crawdads VS Winston-Salem Dash. Independence Day Extravaganza Fireworks after the game! www.milb.com/hickory.

Crawdads Game and Post-Game Christian Concert featuring Micah Tyler, 7/29, 5pm; Hickory Crawdads VS Greenville Drive with post game Christian concert. www.milb.com/hickory.

Hickory American Legion Fair, 8/28- 9/2, 1 American Legion Ave, Newton, NC 28658. Join us for the 111th Annual Hickory Fair for lots of fun, family entertainment. Attractions are midway rides, local agricultural products and livestock exhibits, craft barn, exhibit hall with all kinds of vendors, live music, and entertainment. Visit www.hickoryfair.com/ for admission and updates on entertainment.

Hickory’s Oktoberfest, 10/11-10/13, Downtown Hickory, NC Hours: Friday: 5 pm to 11 pm, Food service begins at 12 Noon with the full festival opening at 5pm; Saturday: 10 am – 11 pm; Sunday: 12 Noon – 5 pm. Outdoor festival on the second weekend of October, in Hickory, North Carolina, featuring three stages of non-stop live entertainment ranging from traditional polka to rock & roll, beer gardens, Kidsfest, a juried arts and crafts show, and hundreds of food and commercial vendors. The Hickory Oktoberfest festival started in 1985, and has grown to become one of the premiere festivals in Western North Carolina. Free (828)322-1121 Downtownhickory.com

Lenoir

Lenoir Downtown Cruisers – Cruise- In’s, 6/1, 7/6, 8/3, 9/7, 10/26; 3 PM, Downtown Lenoir, NC;  All cars, trucks, bikes, and rat rods welcome. Free, family-friendly environment. Drivers tickets, ladies tickets, veterans tickets, and 50/50 tickets. Tell your friends and family and plan to join us!

NC Blackberry Festival, 7/12 & 7/13, Downtown Lenoir NC; The Blackberry Festival in Downtown Lenoir is an a 2 day festival that brings in upwards of 25,000 people from all over the state and is one of North Carolina’s premiere street festivals. Vendors, Live Music, Kids Zone, The World’s Largest Patchwork of Blackberry Cobbler, Blackberry eating contest, Food…and oh so much more! It’s a berry good time during this two day event! Check website for updates and schedules at ncblackberryfestival.com

Lincolnton

Lincolnton Alive After Five Concert Series, 5/23, 6/27, 7/25, 8/22, 9/26; 7pm; East Side of Court House-100 & 200 blocks of East Main Street, Lincolnton, NC. Join us Downtown Lincolnton for live music! There will also be car shows and food trucks! Just a few rules that we always want you to remember. 1) You MUST be 21 to drink and we ask that you drink responsibly. 2) No pets or animals are allowed at the events. 3) You CANNOT take alcohol outside of our permitted event area and there are signs to remind you of that and you CANNOT bring in any outside alcohol. Music Lineup: 5/23 – 20 RIDE – Zac Brown Tribute; 6/27 – KIDS in AMERICA – 80/90’s Tribute Band; 7/25 – The TONEZ – Beach/Variety; 8/22 – CHICAGO Rewired – Chicago Tribute Band; 9/26 – CHAIRMAN of The Board.

Maggie Valley

Maggie Valley Arts and Crafts Shows, 7/6 & 7/7; 8/31 & 9/1, Maggie Valley’s largest gathering of artisans and crafters come together to sell their handmade treasures. Artisans from all over the Southeast will be in attendance. Chainsaw art demonstrations and lots of festival food. Seasonal items, yard art, paintings, photography, pottery, wooden bowls, furniture, jewelry, goat milk soaps and more will be featured at the event. The Maggie Valley Arts & Crafts Festivals is one of the longest running and most popular events held in Maggie Valley. Visit https://maggievalleyfestivalgrounds.com/maggie-valley-festivals-events/maggie-valley-arts-crafts-shows/

Hillbilly Jam 7/26 & 7/27, Hours: 10am-10pm. Maggie Valley’s largest festival! Hillbilly Jam features loads of entertainment, Food, Crafts, Cornhole, Car & Bike Show, TV Celebrities and Moonshiners. Meet James Hatfield, of the original Hatfields and McCoys, owner of Feudshine Spirits and Garage, Feudshine Bob will be showing up in his new ride, join in the adrenaline rush of the Hatfield and McCoy tug-of-war, don’t miss it! Spectators $10 per day / 10 & under FREE! For more information, please visit https://thehillbillyjam.com

Marion

Memorial Day Car Show, 5/25, 10AM – 3PM., at the parking lot of McDowell High School located at 600 W Mc Dowell Jr High School Rd, Marion, NC 28752. Join us for our annual Memorial Day Weekend Car Show. Celebrating 23 years of downtown Marion cruise-ins, join these “motorheads” as they display their prized vehicles, of all types, and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.Bring your wheels, participate in fun activities; there will be a 21-gun salute performed by McDowell High School NJROTC, a dance presentation by Carolina Dance Company and so much more! Follow their Facebook page for updates or visit https://cruisinwnc.com/.

Marion Livermush Festival 6/1, 5pm-9pm, Main Street, Downtown Marion. 16th Annual Livermush Festival.Join us for a “squealin’” good time in Downtown Marion on June 1st! We will have free kids activities, a hog callin’ and pig squealin’ contest, and a food truck rodeo, with the best Food Truck Liver Mush dish earning a trophy! The winning hog callers and pig squealers win $25.00 and a free Livermush T-Shirt. Plus, there will be 60+ craft vendors, live music and Little Miss McDowell will perform on stage! For more information, call 828-652-2215 or check our Facebook page.

Marion July 4th Celebration 7/4, Downtown Marion, 6:00 pm-10:00 pm. Join us on July 4th for our Independence Day Celebration in Downtown Marion! 6:00 p.m. 4th of July Parade; 6:30 p.m. Street Dancing with Live Band; 9:30 p.m. Fireworks. Also enjoy Little Miss McDowell Performance, Free Inflatables for the kids, and Food Vendors! This all happens on Main Street, Downtown Marion. Street Parking available on side streets, in the Tailgate Market Lot and City Parking Lots on the West Side of Main Street. For more information, call 828-652-2215 or check our Facebook page.

McDowell Country Music Roundup, 8/9 & 8/10, Camping World 1885 US Highway 70, Marion, NC 28752, Doors open at 12 p.m. daily; shows run from 2 p.m.- 10 p.m. Two-day live show featuring your favorite classic country performers including Lee Greenwood, The Malpass Brothers, T. Graham Brown, Toy Jackson, Leona Williams and more. Tickets: $23.00 – $134.00. https://evansmediasource.com/events

41st Annual Mountain Glory Festival, 10/12, 9AM – 4PM, Marion, North Carolina celebrates the arrival of autumn in the Blue Ridge during their annual Mountain Glory Festival. For 41 years, beautiful downtown Marion has hosted this popular celebration on the 2nd Saturday in October. Celebrate small-town life in the mountains. Visitors looking for original handicrafts will find plenty of choices shopping with three jam packed blocks, featuring over 150 craft, food, non-profit and sponsor booths of locally made arts and crafts; festival foods and pubs with local wines, mead and beers. Plus, two stages presenting Marion’s finest musicians. Don’t miss the annual Mountain Glory Quilt Show inside the McDowell Arts Council. The quilt show is the gallery’s featured October exhibit. The kids will have fun in the “Kid’s Korner” with hands-on activities, local entertainment and the ever popular best-dressed pet contest. Shuttle services will run from Rose’s parking lot to the Festival site every half hour. Shuttle service is free. Handicap Parking will be available behind State Farm Insurance. You might even see Bigfoot, Marion’s Official Animal! The festival is sponsored by the City of Marion. For festival information visit www.mtngloryfestival.com or call 828-652-2215.

Morganton

TGIF Summer Concerts, 5/24, 5/31, 6/7, 6/14, 6/21, 6/28, 7/12, 7/19, 7/26, Free, Courthouse Square, Morganton, NC, 6:00-10:00pm. Come join us under the summer stars on the newly designed courthouse square for the FREE 2024 concerts held every Friday evening in May, June and July (except Friday, July 5th) from 6:00-10:00pm. Food and Beverage vendors will open at 6:00pm and music begins at 7:00pm. Bring your chairs and or picnic blankets and make yourselves comfortable while you let this high energy band entertain you! Our events are rain or shine. For more information, visit https://morgantonfest.org/tgif-concert-series/

Historic Morganton Festival, 9/6 & 9/7, Morganton, NC. The 42nd Annual Morganton Festival is set for Friday, September 6th from 12:00-11:00pm and Saturday, September 7th from 9:00am-10:00pm in downtown Morganton. The festival features 3 stages with free music each evening on the Courthouse Square Stage, dancers, acrobats and theater talents on the Pepsi Stage and wonderous amazements on the Kid Zone stage. In addition to the entertainment there is fun with rides and games, food for all ages, plus over a mile of arts and crafts vendors! ALL CONCERTS ARE FREE! Entrance into the festival grounds are FREE! The festival is an animal-free event and will go on rain or shine. (828)438-5252 www.morgantonfest.org

Mount Airy

Mayberry Days, 9/23 – 9/29, Celebrating The Andy Griffith Show in Mount Airy, NC, Mayberry Days® is a festival for the whole family with activities and events for the fans who long for the days when life was simple and the sheriff didn’t carry a gun. Enjoy a bottle of pop while playing checkers, relax to music from many local bands playing the same songs that Andy grew up with and performed on The Andy Griffith Show. From the first concert to “The Emmett” golf tournament on Thursday to eating a porkchop sandwich to singing along on the last song at the Blackmon Amphitheater on Sunday evening, there is something for everyone in the family. The Surry Arts Council and City of Mount Airy welcome fans of all ages and from all around the world to Mayberry Days. Make plans now to attend this family-friendly festival and enjoy days filled with the Mayberry spirit. Only service animals are permitted at Surry Arts Council venues, including the Blackmon Amphitheater. Pets are not permitted. For more information, visit www.surryarts.org/mayberrydays/index.html.

Newton

Music On Main, 6/13, 9/12, 10/10, Downtown Newton will host Music on Main at the Frank & Sue Jones Amphitheater. Bring a chair for the Thursday Night Concert Series. Roads will close at 5:00 pm. Food Trucks open for business at 5:00 pm, and the band starts at 6:00 pm and continues until 8:30 pm. No outside alcohol or coolers will be permitted during the event, but beer will be available for purchase on N Main starting at 5 p.m. Please note that wristbands will be utilized for age identification and required for alcohol purchases available at the beer tent starting at 5 p.m. The Newton Social District will be in observance of purchases of beer and wine at several Downtown Newton beverage providers.Bring a lawn chair or blanket, Bug spray, and sunglasses, the sun gets bright as it sets behind the Amphitheater. Music Lineup:  June 13: Carolina Soul Band; Sep. 12: Gump Fiction; Oct. 10: Trial by Fire. Check music lineup on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/newtondowntown or visit https://www.downtownnewton.org

Stanley

Coolin’ Out Concerts On Main, Stanley, NC, 6/8, 6/22, 9/14, The 3rd Annual “Coolin’ Out Concerts On Main” stage is located on S. Main Street at W. Plum Street intersection. Come out and enjoy the live music along with entertainment, food trucks, beer garden and more! DJ starts at 6pm and bands play from 7pm – 10pm. Music Lineup: 6/8: THE EXTRAORDINAIRES; 6/22:TRIAL BY FIRE (JOURNEY TRIBUTE); 9/14:CAT 5 BAND. For more information on Stanley, NC, please visit the towns website at townofstanley.org or facebook page www.facebook.com/townofstanley.

Statesville

Piedmont HealthCare’s Friday After 5 Summer Concert Series, 6/7, 8/2, 9/13, 10/4, The popular Friday After 5 Summer Concert Series offers FREE entertainment to residents, neighbors, and visitors in Downtown Statesville May through September and features music genres of all styles. The concerts are held in Downtown Statesville on West Broad Street in front of Mitchell Community College from 6 –8:30 pm. Beer, wine, soft drinks and food will be available for purchase beginning at 5pm. Bring your chairs and enjoy a night of music. No dogs, pets, coolers, outside beverages or containers are allowed. Lineup: 6/7: Kids in America; 8/2: Chocolate Chip & Co.; 9/13/: Camel City Yacht Club; 10/4: Megan Doss Band.

Taylorsville

Alexander County’s 2024 Summer Concert Series, 6/1, 7/20, 9/14, and 9/28 at 7:00 p.m., Free, Alexander County Courthouse Park, 101 West Main Avenue in Taylorsville, NC. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the 2024 Alexander County Summer Concert Series. Food trucks will be on-site for each concert.  No dogs, coolers, or tents are allowed. All park rules and regulations apply (https://alexandercountync.gov/pdf/parks-and-recreation/courthouse-house-park-rules.pdf). The park is owned and operated by Alexander County Government. Music Lineup: 6/1: The Whisnants; 7/20: The Extraordinaires; 9/14: All My Rowdy Friends, a Hank Williams Jr. tribute; 9/28: Tribute – A Celebration of The Allman Brothers Band.

Valdese

Valdese Family Friday Nights Concert Series, 5/24, 5/31, 6/7, 6/14, 6/21, 6/28, 7/5, 7/12, 7/19, 7/26, 8/2, 8/9, 8/16, 8/23, 8/30, Concerts are held at Temple Field at 400 Main Street West Valdese, NC 28690. Get ready for an unforgettable Summer in Valdese! The Annual Independence Day Celebration and the 47th Annual Waldensian Festival will be held in conjunction with the series, with those performances taking place at Main Stage Downtown, at the intersection of Rodoret St and Main. Festival Headliners include Southside Station and Ryan Perry. For more information about the Family Friday Night Summer Concert series or a full event calendar for Valdese, go to visitvaldese.com or call 828-879-2129. Season Lineup: 5/24/24: The Shakedown Band; 5/31/24: Skaterink Jukebox; 6/7/24: Chasing Phoenix; 6/14/24: Little Johnny Trailer Trash; 6/21/24: Night Move Band; 6/28/24: Ryan Perry; 7/5/24 (Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks on Main Street) Randy Clay Band; 7/12/24: The Super 60’s; 7/19/24: Queen City Sirens; 7/26/24: Garrett Huffman Band; 8/2/24: Uknown Artist Band, 8/9/24: Ace Party Band; WALDENSIAN FESTIVAL – MAIN STREET (Fireworks) 8/16/24: Southside Saints; 8/23/24: Darrell Harwood; 8/30/24: The Tonez.