Sounds of Summer will soon return to downtown Columbus. The 2016 series of free summer concerts at the Riverwalk launches Thursday, June 9 with entertainment by the Juke Joint Gypsies from 7-9 p.m. Additional concerts are June 23 with Poor House Band; July 7 with Charlie Burgin and Southbound Train; and July 21 with The Bouncing Betty.
The series is a joint venture sponsored by Main Street Columbus and The Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce. It began in 2008 and features riverside entertainment by area musicians. Food and beverage concessions are available for purchase.
For a fifth year, the Southeast Tourism Society has tapped Sounds of Summer as a Top 20 Event in the Southeast for the months of June and July.
“We are so excited to again be recognized as one of the best events in the Southeast,” said Main Street Columbus Executive Director Barbara Bigelow.
“Sounds of Summer is a diverse, quality event that offers something for everyone while showcasing our community and local talent. It is truly an event that the community enjoys. We are so appreciative of our business sponsors and volunteers who make it possible.”
Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce President Joey Bragg said, “Sounds of Summer is an outstanding event that we take great pride in. We love our partnership with Main Street Columbus. Local businesses and sponsors helping deliver quality, family-friendly events to our area is what we like to reach for year after year.”
Concert-goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for seating. Leave pets and coolers at home.
For information on how to become a part of the 2016 Sounds of Summer concert series as a vendor, a volunteer or a sponsor, contact Main Street Columbus at 662-328-6305 or columbusmainstreet.com, or The Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce at 662-328-4491 or clchamber.org.
The Southeast Tourism Society started its Top 20 Events program in 1985. Travel industry experts select 20 events per month. The complete list is published monthly on southeasttourism.org and escapetothesoutheast.com. The society, headquartered in Atlanta, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting tourism in 12 southeastern states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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