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Riverwalk Summer Concert Series Returns to Newland on Friday Nights, Line-up Announced

By Jessica Isaacs

CONCERT MUSICIANS & LARGE CROWD
Riverwalk Concerts in Newland

Summertime is officially underway in Avery County now that the Riverwalk Concert Series has returned to Newland for the season. Hosted every Friday night from 6-9 p.m., rain or shine, these performances bring great music together with fun for the whole family.

These free weekly concerts are held at the Riverwalk Park and bandshell below the Lowe’s Foods parking lot and are open to the public. Designed to draw in local residents and visitors to the greater Newland area, the concert series is sponsored by the Newland Business Association — a collaborative organization of business owners and citizens committed to the future of the community.

Steve York, a member of the NBA’s marketing and events committees, said the concert series aims to serve a dual purpose — to offer affordable summer fun to everyone and to bring more people to the area in the summer.

CONCERT DANCING
Riverwalk Concerts in Newland

“It’s to bring fun and entertainment to people who live in the greater Newland area,” York said. “We’re encouraging people from outlying areas like Linville, Cranberry, Elk Park, Pineola, Plumtree and Linville Falls to come out and spend their time in Newland and support local businesses.”

Concert series sponsors include: Avery Animal Hospital, Avery Heating and Air, Avery Machine and Welding, Blue Ridge Propane, Carolina Barbeque, Distinctive Cabinetry of the High Country, Edward Jones Investments, Gerald McKinney Law Offices, Grandfather Mountain Vineyard & Winery, Kaye’s Kitchen & Café, Linville Falls Winery, Linville Land Harbor, Mountain Heritage System, Mountain Jewelers, TAP Homes, Williams YMCA of Avery, the Town of Newland and Mountain Electric Co-op.

The concerts happen each week, no matter what the weather has in store. In the event of rain, the concerts are moved to the rock gym at Avery School.

The new country sounds of Jeremy Autry and Crossing Avery will kick off the season at tonight’s concert.

Read more online to learn about the NBA.

Here’s the complete 2015 Riverwalk line-up:

June 19: Jeremy Autry and Crossing Avery (new country)

June 28: The Lucky Strikes (jazz)

July 3: The Johnson Brothers Band (country rock/bluegrass), fireworks concert

July 10: The JJL Band (blues)

July 17: The Swing Set (swing band)

July 24: Sound Traveler Band (old time favorites)

July 31: The Neighbors (bluegrass)

Aug. 7: Whip Daddies (Motown)

Aug. 14: Benny Wilson Band (70s classic rock)

Aug. 21: Road Tripp Band (classic country)