Friday After 5 will go on this year, celebrating its 25th anniversary. This year, the event will provide a “mile of music” every Friday night starting May 21 and running through Sept. 3.
FA5 Executive Director Francine Marseille said though it may look a little different this year to ensure safety, the festival will go on with great entertainment each week.
“Friday After 5 remained committed over this last year to create a memorable experience in 2021,” she said. “We cannot wait to share all our plans and celebrate the re-opening of Friday After 5 with the families, musicians and community businesses, who have long created traditions together.”
This year celebrates the 25th anniversary for Friday After 5 — though last year’s was cancelled due to the pandemic — and there are some new additions to the series.
To start, the addition of the Holiday Inn Riverfront stage will officially create a full mile of music along the riverfront.
“And if you haven’t seen (Owensboro City) Commissioner Larry Maglinger transform into Rod Stewart or have danced the night away with the Velvet Bombers, they will be making a special anniversary celebration appearance on July 2 to kick off the 4th of July weekend. Let’s not forget that a little elf told me that Santa is even coming to town to celebrate Christmas in July with us,” Marseille said.
Also new to the series this year will be the incorporation of the Owensboro Hydrofair — set for Aug. 20-22 — with “Grand Prix trials running on the river, some driver and team meet-and-greets, along with the Crashers taking the stage at the Owensboro Convention Center Party Pier.”
Marseille said there are new bands coming to Owensboro all season long, as well as a few “must-have favorites.”
She said the FA5 provides an important role in bringing community and the arts together. The series began in 1997 with four concerts and grew into a 16-week signature riverfront festival for the entire tri-state area, hosting more than 70,000 visitors each season.
“This season is especially meaningful to all of us, and with the addition of new vendors, new music and new events, it will be a year to remember,” Marseille said. “However, we could never have made our dreams come true without the continued support of our community and sponsors.”
