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Beech Mountain’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Continues with Their Final Summer Concert, the Yonder Mountain String Band, on August 11th

 

The Yonder Mountain String Band.

 

By Elly Murray

Beech Mountain continues celebrating their 50th Anniversary with the last of their family-friendly summer concerts, the Yonder Mountain String Band, on  Saturday, August 11th.

Beech Mountain has hosted two other concerts this summer, including performances from the Wood Brothers and Trampled by Turtles. Both concerts were extremely well received by everyone who attended, and Talia Freeman, the director of marketing at Beech Mountain, says that, “They’ve been really well received all summer…we had a lot of people at the last show.”

At this performance, the Yonder Mountain String Band will take the stage and rock the event with authentic acoustics and progressive bluegrass. This energetic group of five carries on the traditional bluegrass music, while adding the exciting and upbeat performances of their generation, to make their own eclectic mix of music.

The string band recently released their first new album in two years, Love. Ain’t Love, and Adam Aijala, a guitarist in the band, says, “I think this our best album yet.” The band is also celebrating their 20th anniversary together, so be sure to go and help them celebrate!

Forlorn Strangers, another marvelous string quintet,  is opening for them. Comparable to an “Americana Fleetwood Mac”, this foot-stomping band loves to perform blues, bluegrass, folk, rock, pop, and of course, roots music above all else, and their performances are truly inspirational and exciting.

 

Forlorn Strangers.

 

Gates open at 6:30 p.m., and the music kicks off at 7. The concert itself takes place on the Play Yard slopes of Beech Mountain, and there is a stage set up for the event. Freeman describes the setting, saying, “It’s just a very grassy, open field. You can grab food, you can bring a small camping chair…It’s a relaxed environment for sure. Very family friendly.”

Just behind the illuminated stage, flashing with exciting lights and upbeat music, you can see the backdrop of our beautiful mountains. It’s the perfect scene to stretch out on a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a nice night with your family. And, once the music’s over, Beech Mountains has an incredible fireworks display that will be visible right behind the stage.

Freeman does mention that, “There’s a certain area near the stage that we don’t allow camping chairs, just to kind of maximize standing room for people to watch the show. But just beyond that area, you can set up a camping chair or blanket and relax and watch the show.”

 

Beech Mountain’s previous show, Trampled by Turtles.

 

This concert is sponsored by the We Can So You Can Foundation, and Freeman says that they, “will also be selling barbeque sandwiches at the event as well.”

In addition to the barbeque sandwiches, several food trucks will be available, including EGG Roll-in, Claudia’s Authentic Mexican Food, Betty’s Biscuits, the Cardinal,  and All Thai’d Up Ice Cream. There will also be another vendor selling popcorn and typical snacks like that, and there will be a beer tent, with a smaller satellite beer tent near the stage.  Most of these vendors only accept cash, so be sure to come prepared!

This event is rain or shine, and Beech Mountain has three large parking lots at the ski area that you can park at. Freeman says that, “We have golf carts that aid in transportation if people need it.”

Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door, and kids four and under get in free! There’s plenty of tickets left, and they are sold in Boone at Regear, in Banner Elk at Base Camp B.E., in Beech Mountain at Fred’s General Mercantile, and of course, online.

Beech Mountain’s final summer concert is a great way to close out a wonderful summer, and Freeman says that she loves when people come out and join together for great music. She says, “In general, like at the last concert, it was really rewarding to see the response. I mean, people just seemed really happy and it was cool see how packed it was, and it was still a comfortable environment for families.”

For more information on the concert, or to purchase tickets, please visit https://www.beechmountainresort.com/summer-concert-series/

 

Beech Mountain’s previous concert, Trampled by Turtles.