Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM SEPTEMBER 6 - 12, 2023 UCW 17 Rock'n on the River Concert Series rolls on by LAURA BROWNE As summer blazes on in Fayetteville, so does the Rock'n on the River Summer Concert Series. Greg Adair, the organizer of the outdoor music event, said the series could help add enjoyment to concert-goers' lives in a world wrought by the pandemic. "It's time that we live life," Adair said. "We saw what 2020 brought — nobody wants that to happen and a lot of people were mad that it did happen— so it's time to get out and live. You only live once, you only come through here once. You might as well have some fun." Adair helped start the event five years ago in 2018 due to the dearth of similar events in the area, he said. "Free concert wise, there was not really a lot going on," Adair said. Since its inception, the event has only grown with time thanks to attendance and the accumulation of great sponsors, according to Adair. e concerts take place monthly throughout the summer behind Deep Creek Outfitters on Person Street. e picturesque location features foliage and a view of the Cape Fear River. "I think that people love the location," Adair said. "It's got some shade, it's got some trees out there that are bordering the river itself. It's a beautiful setting." Adair said the scenic outdoor venue, located next to the rolling river, provides a great area for attendees to enjoy music while taking in the beauty of the surrounding nature. "It's really relaxed," he said. "It's a really chill place." e next concert, to be held on Sept. 15, will feature opening band Autumn Tyde and headliners Women N Children First, a Van Halen tribute group. e final concert of the series on Oct. 20 will host Mötley Crüe tribute band Mostley Crüe and feature an opening act by Shoot to rill, a women's ACDC tribute group. e concert features fresh food and soft drinks from Deep Creek Grill as well as water, beer and wine from main sponsor Healy Wholesale. Admission begins at 5 p.m. with openers taking to the stage at 6 p.m. After a brief intermission at 7:30, the headlining bands will take to the stage at 8 p.m. and play until around 10 p.m., Adair said. is year's series has gone well so far, Adair said, though the heat and threat of rain has deterred attendance slightly. e most attended show so far was July's performance featuring bands Reflections II and Rivermist, a band for which Adair performs. e show garnered around 500 audience members. Admission to the concert remains free, but event parking costs a flat rate of $10. Adair encourages concert- goers to bring chairs and to be prepared for bag searches for safety purposes. Outside containers and coolers are not permitted and only service animals are allowed to attend. Security will be present at the event to promote a safe environment, though Adair said they haven't seen any problems yet. Partners for the event include Healy Wholesale, Up & Coming Weekly, 96.5 Bob FM, Sandy's Automotive, Darling Ingredients, Boose and Stewart Law Offices, Cumberland Insulation and Karen Chandler Trust. Karen Chandler Trust offers funds to cancer patients to provide transportation to medical appointments, payment of utility bills and more, Adair said. Half of beer sales will benefit the trust. "It's good to have that kind of partner," Adair said. e concert series is held generally from May to October each year. "Just come on out here and have fun," Adair said. EVENTS LAURA BROWNE, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. Christian music station local your