The first of this year's Thursday Night Live (ThNL) concert series kicked off with fanfare as hundreds of area residents filled the downtown area to hear musical entertainment and enjoy drinks within the event's festival district.
Thursday's musical performers were Aurora Avenue, four members of the Jefferson City High School Top Jazz band; and Dueling Pianos, which takes song requests.
John Phillips and his wife, Lynn, came to the event from their home in Mexico. The couple said they enjoy live music, particularly classic rock and blues, and have traveled to ThNL "quite a few times." They arrived toward the end of Aurora Avenue's set, saying they weren't too excited about their style of music but were looking forward to Dueling Pianos.
"Jefferson City has great live music in the area," John Phillips said.
At the event, organizers threw out beach balls and handed out lottery tickets and hot dogs while previewing Jefferson City's upcoming Salute to America festival.
Country artist Travis Tritt will headline the "Inside the Walls"
Outlaw Country Concert on July 2. Tickets are $35 for general admission. For $20 extra, attendees can have a dinner prepared by Prison Brews inside A-Hall in the old Missouri State Penitentiary.
Tritt has five No. 1 singles, including "Foolish Pride." His 1991 album "It's All About to Change" was certified triple platinum. Other acts at the concert will be The Shotgunbillys, Jason Bertrand Band and Hillbilly Vegas.
Separate shows during Salute to America are free to the public.
At 7:30 p.m. July 3, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils will perform by the Capitol.
On July 4, St. Louis party band Groovethang will headline, starting at 7:30 p.m.
Other Salute to America performers include James Robert Webb Band, Jericho Woods Band and South Bound Train on Sunday and Makenna & Brock, Crossroad Station and 90 Proof Twang on Monday, the Fourth.
June's ThNL concert series takes place from 6-9 p.m. each Thursday. Themes for the next four events are Flashback, Wingfest, MAHD Ride-In and Beach Party.
As a reminder, organizers emphasized the rules of the Temporary Open Consumption (TOC) permit:
There will be entrance stations at High/Monroe, High/Jefferson and Madison and Commercial Alley by the parking garage. There will be no access to the festival district from behind the stage on Madison Street. Attendees must show ID at the carding tent and buy a $2 over 21 wrist band in order to purchase adult beverages from the outside bars. Please note unaccompanied minors under 16 will not be permitted into the Festival District.
No alcohol of any kind may be carried into the District, and organizers also ban pets, soliciting, coolers, skateboards, bicycles and scooters. Children under 16 must be accompanied by parents/guardians at all times.
Alcohol cannot be brought into the district, and any alcohol purchased in the district must be in a designated event cup. Establishments selling alcohol place wristbands on those who are over 21 and drinking.
The wristband must remain on the person's wrist at all times when consuming alcohol on the streets or sidewalks within the permit area.