Music on Main scheduled for Friday

Auxvasse is kicking off its second annual Music on Main event Friday night with country singer Neal McCoy as the headliner.

The music event, which is set up at the 100 block of Main Street, will feature Neal McCoy and opening artists 54 Country Band and Ben Gallaher. The Auxvasse Fire Department created Music on Main as a fundraising venture. With sponsorship and ticket sales the event pays for itself, Fire Chief Nick Hoffman said, and any additional profit goes back to the department.

"The Auxvasse Fire Department wanted to build community pride and this year's performance is just a continuation of bringing country back to the country," he added. "Bringing these shows to the community and making them accessible is prideful for me."

Tickets are available prior to the event at the event website and at Casey's General Store for $15 until Friday. After 3 p.m., tickets will be available at the gate for $20.

"It's a big deal to have people like Neal McCoy and Ben Gallaher here because ticket sales are so cheap," Hoffman said. "We want to keep the price point acceptable for people by providing a complete package but we still wanted to make money for the Fire Department."

Parking will be available at the Auxvasse Lion's Club grounds for $2 and a free shuttle service will bring attendants to the event.

The Auxvasse Police Department and additional security will be present during the event and the Callaway County Ambulance District will provide on-site emergency services for the venue which can hold up to 3,000 people.

COMO Smoke and Fire will be selling barbecue items including pulled pork and brisket sandwiches, burgers, brats and smoked wings. Non-alcoholic beverages including water, soda and lemonade will be available for $1 from the Callaway County EMS and local fire department. Bud Light, Budweiser, Bush and Bush Light will be available on tap for $3 per beer, or four beers for $10 and Auxvasse Bar and Grill will provide mixed drinks.

Hoffman expects the venue to fill quickly with people eager to enjoy the country music.

"We feel like country is the right market for the area and seems to sell the best, but there's nothing that says future shows can't be different," Hoffman said. "We spent a lot of time last year building groundwork to make sure it was branded. We want people to walk into Auxvasse and see it put together."

To purchase tickets for the event online visit www.musiconmainaux.com.