Friday After 5 makes the ‘Mile of Music’ this summer season with music from the RiverPark Center to the Holiday Inn. The Eric Group will join the organization as entertainment partners for two stages.
With opening week on May 17, Heath and Molly Eric said they want to bring the excitement and showcase the passion of Owensboro in the 28th season as they manage the RiverPark Center and Convention Center’s Pier stages.
“We just really want to bring back that level of quality, the level of acts, the professionalism and just throw the biggest, baddest party in the region for everybody to enjoy something that community can truly be proud of,” Heath Eric said.
Watch Heath’s remarks as well as the rest of the Press Conference here.
Heath said they already have the season booked for the two stages, with some acts for everyone. The opening weekend will host The Velvet Bombers, the week after Free Fallin’ – a Tom Petty Tribute Band and more.
Heath expressed that one of the main hopes this year is to bring a lot of energy so the younger generation can enjoy the season.
Balancing between an older generation and a younger generation will be something they will shoot for as they bring younger and up-and-coming acts.
“Some of those I can’t announce yet, but it’s going to be exciting. We’re bringing in some big acts that will excite and ignite the fire for those younger adults to come out and enjoy Friday After 5,” Heath said.
For the remaining stages, the President of FA5, Starling Lambert said that different board members would plot the season’s schedule. In addition to the RPC and the OCC, they will have a stage on the Holiday Inn lawn and the Overlook.
He noted the Holiday Inn stage has benefited them in attracting a different audience.
“We found out when we went to Holiday Inn that we had people we had never had before. They just want to sit back and listen to the music, and that’s what we’ll have at Holiday Inn,” Lambert said.
Lambert mentioned wanting to provide more for the younger generation, including face painting, bringing back the petting zoo, and other activities.
The Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Museum will also host their First Fridays on the first Friday of every month throughout the season with the Bluegrass Band.
With the completion of Veteran’s Boulevard, Board Historian Kirk Kirkpatrick said this season will bring Friday nights back to life.
“From this beautiful bridge, a multimillion-dollar riverfront, the Overlook stage and in between the food trucks is one of the number one parks in the world. It really is a great place to celebrate, and I think this Mile of Music is now possible because of the board members and all of our partners and sponsors,” Kirkpatrick said.
