WILMINGTON – With renovations complete to Riverfront Park in front of the federal courthouse along the Cape Fear River in downtown Wilmington, the Sundown Concert Series will return to its traditional location for its free concert series May 26-Sept. 1.
Presented by Outdoor Equipped, the free concerts will run from 6:30p.m.-10p.m. each Friday and feature both local performers and touring bands. Outdoor Equipped, a Wilmington-based retailer, is the title sponsor for the event. Wilmington Downtown Incorporated (WDI) is the concert producer.
“After being closed for over a year, we are pleased to return this is community event to the picturesque setting along the river,” Ed Wolverton, WDI president and CEO, said. “We are eager for the new season to start and are pleased to feature both returning and new performers this year.”
Last year, over 26,000 people attended the concerts. The flagship store for Outdoor Equipped is located at 272 N. Front Street and can be found on the web at www.outdoorequipped.com.
“The entire Outdoor Equipped team is excited to be part of the concert series and shine a spotlight on locally owned businesses,” company President Chad Hankinson said. “Our lines of clothing, footwear and gear are a perfect fit for anyone who enjoys an active lifestyle and we are pleased to partner with WDI to bring people to Downtown,”
Headliner Performance Schedule
The schedule features various musical styles with an emphasis on tribute bands. All headlining acts are touring bands that will visit the region for their performance.
WDI schedules local bands to open each show and these acts will be announced in the coming weeks. The dates and scheduled headline performers include:
- May 26 Satisfaction (Rolling Stones)
- June 2 Skydog (Allman Brothers)
- June 9 Breakfast Club (1980s music)
- June 16 Funky Monks (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
- June 23 Dustin Arbuckle & Band (Blues)
- June 30 20 Ride (Zac Brown)
- July 7 Red Zeppelin (Led Zeppelin)
- July 14 Mockatillica (Metallica)
- July 21 Wrong Way (Sublime)
- July 28 Hey Johnny (Foo Fighters)
- Aug. 4 Same As It Ever Was (Talking Heads)
- Aug. 11 Appetite for Destruction (Guns and Roses)
- Aug. 18 42 (Coldplay)
- Aug. 25 Abbey Road Live (Beatles)
- Sept. 1 Departure (Journey)
Wristband sales go to a worthy cause
To further strengthen the community, WDI partners with other area nonprofit groups to sell wristbands. The wristbands cost $1 and can be purchased by people who are 21 and older and want to enjoy beer or wine at the show. Any event attendee can also make a direct donation to the charity each week.
Last year, WDI contributed approximately $6,400 to area nonprofits through the wristband program.
This year, 42 organizations applied for one of 15 available dates. Because of this strong demand, WDI sought help from the community to select the beneficiaries by asking people to use participate in an on-line survey to select their favorite charity.
“This online election process attracted 5,743 votes from the public,” said Wolverton. “It was great to see this much enthusiasm and support for all the nonprofit groups that applied.”
Charities that have been rewarded concerts this summer include:
- Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 885
- Cape Fear River Watch
- Plastic Ocean Project
- North Brunswick Kiwanis Club
- Cape Fear Center for Inquiry (CFCI)
- Wilmington Fur Ball
- Interfaith Refugee Ministry- Wilmington
- Love Is Bald
- American Legion Post 68
- Communities In Schools of Cape Fear
- SkyWatch Bird Rescue and Conservation Center
- Indo Jax Surf Charities
- Pretty in Pink Foundation
- The OOPS Foundation
- The Children’s Museum
