Center Street Jam set to kick off on Thursday
By Ty Johnson
Published in News on May 1, 2011 1:50 AM
By TY JOHNSON
News-Argus Staff Writer
If the N.C. Pickle Festival signals the beginning of summer for Wayne County, then downtown Goldsboro's Center Street Jams are the county's biweekly reminders to keep enjoying the summer months through live music, dancing and vendors.
The concert series begins this week with Heartbeat, a band whose musical offerings range across all genres, including rhythm and blues, soul, pop, rock and country. The music starts at 5:30 p.m. and the band will take to the stage at 6 p.m.
This year's concert series begins a bit earlier than in previous years to avoid scheduling events too far into the dog days of August and to avoid Fourth of July weekend.
Lara Landers, promotions coordinator for the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corporation, said the selection of the bands is done largely by the DGDC's board of directors. All of this year's bands, including regional favorites The Embers and the Band of Oz, have performed previously at the Center Street Jam with the exception of Heartbeat.
The stage is set up in the Waynesborough house parking lot and vendors, all of whom are sponsors of the event, will have booths set up to sell concessions and other goods.
The Flying Shamrock is the chief sponsor of the first Jam this year, with other series sponsors including Zaxby's, R.A. Jefferys, Coca-Cola and Pizza Inn. The funds raised will go toward future downtown events, but she said the support from the event sponsors was vital to the concerts' success.
"We really appreciate their sponsorship," she said. "Especially in today's economy."
Ms. Landers said food and cold beverages will be for sale, and that the list of things for attendees to bring was short.
"Bring your kids, your lawn chairs, and your appetite but especially bring your dancing feet and enjoy the band."