Simpsonville, S.C. — As the current global pandemic continues to put a damper on summer across the country, the City of Simpsonville has managed to oversee a successful outdoor music series.
The City and Simpsonville Arts Foundation, Inc. co-host the Simpsonville Summer Music Series & Food Truck Rodeo, an ongoing event every Thursday in August and September that features a new band each week and food trucks from local restaurants Mad Cuban and Tacos & Bla Bla Bla.
Simpsonville community relations specialist Justin Campbell said the music series, which is in its second season, has taken on a special significance this year with the backdrop of the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 and an economic downturn.
“During these difficult times, the City and SAFI are proud to offer the public a source of free family-friendly entertainment,” Campbell said. “The music series is really about community, and right now community is what we all need.”
The Simpsonville Summer Music Series & Food Truck Rodeo is held at the CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park. The original location was the Hendricks Pavilion Amphitheatre across from City Park, but the CCNB Amphitheatre allows for better social distancing.
Parks & Recreation staff has drawn circles on the Amphitheater lawn to designate where individual groups can sit to ensure six feet of distance. The venue change allows for higher attendance during the pandemic.
When the state began its shutdown due to COVID-19 in the spring, the music series had been delayed from May, June and July to July, August and September, and then the call was made to cancel July.
Cindy Tench of SAFI said the City and SAFI were resolved to make the 2020 season of the music series happen.
“Even if a month of shows had to be canceled, we knew this concert series would be really important since other sources of entertainment like movies, amusement parks and even beaches would be closed off indefinitely,” Tench said. “We love seeing the smiling faces come into the Amphitheatre to enjoy the summer weather, great music and delicious food.”
Aug. 27: Retro Vertigo
Sept. 3: Randomonium
Sept. 10: Dugger Band
Sept. 17: Cranford Hollow
Sept. 24: Elvis Tribute
For more information, contact Justin Lee Campbell, community relations specialist, at jcampbell@simpsonville.com.■
