ELIZABETHTOWN — The largest crowd yet converged on the Cape Far Farmer’s Market in downtown Elizabethtown for the third in a series of four Summer Sounds concerts — this one headlined by the Fantastic Shakers.
Dawn Maynard, executive director of the Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, estimated the crowd to be about 700 at the peak of the concert.
“I’m just tickled pink,” said Maynard with a laugh. The three concerts have attracted a combined estimated crowd of about 1,800-plus.
She said the crowd was “really great” and some folks were at the CFFM as early as 5 p.m. enjoying treats from Sunset Slush and Cape Fear Chicken & Bar-B-Que.
Once the Fantastic Shakers began, the crowd was treated to such favorites as “My Girl,” “Little Red Book,” “Myrtle Beach Days” and “Penny Lover.” The crowd, from young to old, was hardly shy about getting up and dancing. The youngsters even enjoyed getting up during the intermission to dance to the song “Whip, Whip, Nae, Nae.”
“I think we’ll end up having a concert series next summer,” said Maynard, who has been thoroughly impressed with the turnout for the first three concerts.
She added the Summer Sounds Concert Series is an opportunity for local businesses to network and support the community, and encouraged those who are interested in sponsoring next year’s series to contact the Chamber at 910-862-4368.
“They get a really big bang for the buck,” said Maynard of the benefits of being a sponsor of the Summer Sounds Concert Series.
She added that the Chamber appreciates the businesses who came forward to sponsor this year’s series and those who volunteered their time to help make the event a success so far.
David Hursey of Dublin said he thought the concerts were a good idea.
Elizabethtown Mayor Sylvia Campbell said, “This is definitely the best one.”
Campbell added it was a good way to bring the community together and everyone in attendance seemed to have a great time.
Dave and Nan Aycokc of Atlanta, Ga. drove up to North Carolina for a visit and “nostalgia” tour. Dave Aycock indicated he was originally from Fuquay-Varina but as a child had visited White Lake and Nan Aycock recalled her family working the tobacco markets in the area when she was a child.
The Aycock’s had visited White Lake earlier on Thursday. Dave Aycock said that as he was planning the trip he looked online and saw the Fantastic Shakers were playing in Elizabethtown and they decided to attend while they were in the area.
When asked about the schedule for next year’s series, Maynard said it will remain on the second and fourth Thursday of July and August.
“Who plays next year will depend on the availability of the bands,” said Maynard.
The final concert of the series will be the Blackwater Rythm & Blues Band on Thursday, Aug. 27, at 6 p.m.
—Erin Smith can be reached at 910-862-4163.
Caroline Godwin and Ryan Godwin share a dance during the Fantastic Shakers performance on Thursday night at the Summer Sounds concert.