Happiness is free in the 27278.
That’s the motto for this year’s annual River Park Concert, presented by the Hillsborough Arts Council. It was inspired by The Wood Brothers, the internationally-acclaimed band headlining the show, and the fact that the four-band concert is free. Alongside the Nashville-based Wood Brothers, the River Park Concert will host The Walker Family Band from Greensboro; Seth Walker, originally from Greensboro and based in New Orleans; and The Shoaldiggers from Hillsborough.
There will be something for everyone at this event, said David Hays, the River Park Concert co-chair, including local arts vendors, a young musicians workshop with the Walker Street Fiddlers, and a beer garden featuring North Carolina beer. The event also has family-friendly hours with the final set ending around 6pm, allowing parents with younger children to partake in the fun as well.
The main purpose of the River Park Concert is to bring attention to Hillsborough and show it off in a way that benefits the community as a whole.
“This is about community involvement because we’re able to pull so many parts together – the community, the town, the county,” Hays, wearing a #HillsboroughRocks shirt, said. “It’s about celebrating Hillsborough and what it really means.”
The River Park Concert brings bands who have never experienced Hillsborough to town and offers a free opportunity for people to experience new music. It’s mutually beneficial – the bands experience a new place while gaining new fans and concert-goers hear some incredible music for free. In fact, of the approximately 40 shows that The Wood Brothers are playing this fall, the River Park Concert is the only one that is free.
Josh Collins, Hillsborough native and co-chair of the River Park Concert, said that events like this are putting – and keeping – Hillsborough
on the map. “Artists are coming to Hillsborough to play and falling in love and coming back,” he said.
Hillsborough residents from all walks of life will enjoy this event, Collins said. Anyone who enjoys local art, tasty food, and good music will have a good time; and, according to Hays, there’ll be some unexpected special treats in store for attendees.
“Even if you don’t know [the artists], it’s still going to be a great performance,” Collins said. “If you’re a music lover or an arts lover or you just want to support the community, you should come out and participate.”
You can’t put a price on happiness, and fortunately, when it comes to the River Park Concert, you don’t have to. Enjoy the free festivities on October 27 from 11:30am to 7:30pm. Find out more here.