These mountains are known as much for the music that comes out of them as they are for their picturesque vistas, cascading waterfalls and alluring trails.
Some of the world’s finest musicians have come from Western North Carolina and that rich tradition carries on today.
Here in Jackson County, the Town of Sylva, Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department and Jackson County Chamber of Commerce team up to produce the Concerts on the Creek series at the Bridge Park gazebo in Sylva every Friday from 7-9 p.m., typically from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
The 14th annual season will start on Friday, May 26 (Memorial Day weekend) and end on Friday, Sept. 1 (Labor Day weekend). That will be 15 Fridays of Concerts on the Creek, with the Fireworks Festivities and concert on Tuesday, July 4 sprinkled in for good measure.
Here is the 2023 schedule:
- Friday, May 26: The Foreign Landers, folk/bluegrass (7-9 p.m.)
- Friday, June 2: Darren Nicholson Band, bluegrass/Americana/traditional country (7-9 p.m.)
- Friday, June 9: Andrew Thelston Band, rock covers and originals first hour, Fleetwood Mac covers second hour (7-9 p.m.)
- Friday, June 16: The V8's, classic hits (7-9 p.m.)
- Friday, June 23: Gotcha Groove, classic R&B, soul, beach and pop/rock covers (7-9 p.m.)
- Friday, June 30: Twisted Trail Band, southern country and rock originals and covers, (7-9 p.m.)
- Tuesday, July 4: Fireworks Festivities, Carolina Soul Band, soul/Motown/beach/R&B classics (6:30-9:30 p.m.) *Fireworks display at dark
- Friday, July 7: Arnold Hill, rock/country originals/covers, (7-9 p.m.)
- Friday, July 14: Bird in Hand, Appalachian folk/Americana originals & covers (7-9 p.m.)
- Friday, July 21: Dashboard Blue, classic beach/pop/rock classics, (7-9 p.m.)
- Friday, July 28: Lua Flora, folk/reggae (7-9 p.m.)
- Friday, Aug. 4: Tuxedo Junction, classic hits, (7-9 p.m.)
- Friday, Aug. 11: TLQ+2, classic rock and pop hits, (7-9 p.m.)
- Friday, Aug. 18: Get Right Band, psychedelic indie rock originals, (7-9 p.m.)
- Friday, Aug. 25: Maggie Valley Band, Appalachian/Americana folk rock, (7-9 p.m.)
- Friday, Sept. 1: PMA, roots/reggae/dub/fusion, (7-9 p.m.)
These events are free with donations encouraged. Everyone is welcome. Dogs must be on a leash. No smoking, vaping, coolers or tents allowed. Bring a chair or blanket. We will have food trucks available on select nights.
"Most importantly, these concerts are provided in party by our friends, members and partners/sponsors in the community," said Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Julie Donaldson.
This year, those partners are:
Platinum:
- Harris Regional Hospital
- Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort
Diamond:
- iHeart Radio/KISS Country FM 99.9
- Mountain Credit Union
- Stanberry Insurance
- Western Carolina APA
- Western Carolina University
Gold:
- BalsamWest
- Champion Credit Union
- Duke Energy
- Jackson County Economic Development
- Optimum
- Pepsi Cola
- Western Builders Inc.
Silver:
- Andy Shaw Ford
- First Citizens Bank
- Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
- Ridenour & Goss Law Office
- Southwestern Community College
- State Farm Insurance-Charles Wolfe Agency
- Ward Plumbing, Heating & Air
For more information, please contact the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce at 828-586-2155, visit our Facebook page, or visit us online at www.mountainlovers.com.
