Summer concert series is set

Janet Imrick

Randolph Hub

ASHEBORO — Downtown Asheboro, Inc. Executive Director Addie Corder has unveiled the lineup for the city’s two 2024 concert series to be held at Bicentennial Park this summer. 

The series includes the Rock’n the Park events on Friday nights and the Summer Concert Series events on Sunday evenings.

The concerts will begin on May 19 and run through Sept. 8, the Monday after Labor Day.

The Friday night events — including a warmup act before the main band comes on — begin at 6:30 p.m. The Sunday evening concerts begin at 6 p.m.

This summer’s Friday Rock’n the Park concerts are:

- May 31 — On the Border, the Ultimate Eagles Tribute Band. OPENER: Javier Batista, Cory Luetjen & The Traveling Blues Band.

- June 28 — Larger than Life, a tribute to NSYNC, Backstreet Boys and other boy bands. OPENER: Abigail Dowd & Jenny Kimmel, Acisse Jay.

- July 12 — Doug Brewin’s Tribute to Alan Jackson. OPENER: Zinc Kings.

- Aug. 23 — Cassette Rewind, the Ultimate ’80s Experience. OPENER: Kelsey Hurley, Lonnie Britton.

“We couldn’t be more excited for this year’s schedule of tribute acts for the Friday Night Concert Series,” Addie Corder, Executive Director of DAI said. “We have planned a great lineup covering everything from ’70s rock, ’80s pop, ’90s country and even early 2000s hits.”

The five concerts set for Sunday evenings include:

- May 19 — BlackWater Band​​.

- June 9 — North Tower.

- July 21 — Special Occasion Band.

- August 11 — EnVision.

- September 8 — Too MUCH SyLviA.

“Both concert series would not be possible without the support of the community, our generous sponsors and the growing number of attendees,” Corder said.

These are family events in an outdoor setting in Bicentennial Park. Bring a lawn chair and dancing shoes, if you’ve got them, and enjoy food and drink from local downtown businesses and on-premise food trucks. 

These events are all free.

In other news regarding Downtown Asheboro:

Taxable sales top $2 billion

At the Asheboro City Council meeting on March 7, Amy Rudisill, vice president of the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce, reported that Randolph County exceeded $2 billion in taxable sales in 2023. She also said sales increased 22.37 percent, the largest year-by-year increase recorded since 2012.

According to the NC Department of Revenue, Randolph County saw $2,197,527,279 in sales during 2023, up from $1,841,323,578 in 2022.

Rudisill said, “For some of us who like convenient shopping and shopping on Amazon, that money doesn’t stay here. But this money supports our local economy. It’s very important to shop local in Randolph County. It goes back to the fire departments, the police departments, and all the businesses here.”

Rudisill said she expects the Zoo City Sportsplex to drive more traffic and help sales in 2024.

Councilmember Clark Bell noted that the best months for sales were June and July. “I think that underscores what we’ve tried to do about attracting outside tourism when school’s not in session.”

Social District expands

The city council unanimously voted to expand the Zoo City social district, increasing its coverage to include more parts of North Fayetteville Street, Worth Street, and Sunset Avenue. The social district allows people to buy alcoholic beverages and carry them in specially marked cups into participating shops during certain hours Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

The social district requires two votes to change. Councilmember Eddie Burks, who voted against the expansion in February, but voted in favor during the March meeting. “I’ve struggled with this this last month because I voted against this element,” Burks said. “As we talk about things here in Asheboro, alcohol is one of those things that civil people still fight over.”