Downtown Sanford Inc. is replacing its Function at the Junction concert series with a set of monthly concerts on Steele Street beginning this month and running through October.
Downtown Alive! will kick off on May 16 with surf rockers Rollin’ Dynamite and will continue on the third Thursday of each month. Each concert will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on an outdoor stage set up near the intersection of Steele and Wicker streets (somewhat similar to the concert setup for the last two StreetFest concerts, but a slightly different stage location).
The inaugural lineup will look like this:
- May 16: Rollin’ Dynamite, surf rockers
- June 20: Dr. Bacon (pictured), Appalachian funk rock band
- July 18: Molly Stevens, folk and country singer/songwriter
- August 15: Southern Voice with special guest Faith Bardill
- September 19: Joe Hero, 90s rock cover band
- October 17: TBD
“We are so excited to bring the concert series to the street where we can show off our Downtown businesses to attendees,” said DSI executive director Jennifer St. Clair, who said she hopes concert-goers will patronize businesses and restaurants both before and after the concerts.
The block of Steele Street between Wicker and Carthage Streets will be barricaded and will feature food trucks and local breweries, in addition to the Downtown eateries. The concerts are family-friendly and attendees are encouraged to bring their chairs — and friends — with them.
In a press release from DSI, downtown business owner and sponsor Buck Harris said he saw Downtown Alive as a way to “bring more vibrancy to our hometown.”
Downtown Alive! will be sponsored by the following: Steel & Pipe Corporation, Central Carolina Hospital, Richard M. Carlson CPA, Avenir Bold, Life 103.1, Dossenbach’s Finer Furniture, Adcock and Associates Real Estate & Auction, First Bank, Windstream, Applied Graphics, H&R Block, Sanford Contractors, Gordon and Associates, Jones Printing, Company, WDCC FM, Harris & Company, Central Electric Membership Corporation, BB&T, and Lamco. Sponsorships are still available. For more information, contact Jennifer St. Clair at jennstclair@downtownsanford.com.