NEWPORT — Traffic is about to get heavy in Newport.
The 37th annual Country Concert, which runs July 6 through July 8, is expected to bring almost 80,000 fans to Hickory Hill Lakes campground. And while a few local folks may gripe about how busy state Route 66 is, many, many more are proud of the show that brings so many people to town.
The event is more than just a good time. It is projected to add $$15,597,000 to the regional economy, according to Jeff Raible, of the Shelby County Visitors Bureau. The figures are based on 2015 ticket sales.
Those same people whose cars clog state Route 66 spend lots of money on hotel rooms, food, beverages and gasoline, not only in Shelby County, but in neighboring counties, as well.
“This estimate was prepared using the most recent average visitor spending data available from Ohio.org, the state’s official travel and tourism office. To arrive at this projection, the Visitors Bureau relied on several assumptions concerning variables, such as total attendance volumes, local versus out-of-town attendees and the number of overnight stays in area hotel and camping venues,” Raible said.
The audience should be warm and dry when The Oak Ridge Boys open this year’s festival at 2:45 p.m., Thursday. Weather forecasts call for highs temperatures in the mid-80s and sunny skies then. But fans could need umbrellas for the rest of the weekend. There’s a 40 percent chance of morning thunderstorms, Friday, and a 50 percent chance of storms all day, Saturday.
Country Concert President Paul Barhorst is not too concerned about forecasts.
“In 37 years, we’ve only had to ask one person not to perform and one year we had a delay,” he said. The permanent all-weather stage protects performers and organizers lay lots of gravel on the campground roadways to make them all-weather, too.
“We’re more prepared (for any kind of weather) than any other show you’re going to see outdoors, like in an arena,” he said.
Barhorst said he’s looking forward to seeing fans — some of whom have been at every concert — return for No. 37.
“It’s like a family reunion,” he said. “And it’s always fun to see the new people who haven’t been here before and their response to Country Concert.”
This year, the opening ceremonies will tug at his heart.
“The Oak Ridge Boys, performing in memory of my dad, that’s going to be a special moment,” he said. Mike Barhorst, a Country Concert founder, died in March.
The band was a favorite of Mike’s and they’ll begin a day that will see the largest Thursday audience ever when Blake Shelton closes it seven hours later.
Camp sites and concert tickets are still available and can be purchased at 937-295-3000 and www.countryconcert.com
The weekend’s line-up is as follows:
THURSDAY, JULY 6
Main Stage
2:45 p.m. Oak Ridge Boys and opening ceremony
4:30 p.m. Jon Pardi
6 p.m. Charlie Daniels Band
8 p.m. Justin Moore
10 p.m. Blake Shelton
Saloon Stage
12:30 p.m. Runaway Jane
1:45 p.m. Aubrie Sellers
4 p.m. Mark Cantwill
5:30 p.m. Steve Rosenbeck
7 p.m. Drake White, 7 p.m.
9:15 p.m. Smithfield
FRIDAY, JULY 7
Main Stage
4 p.m. Cam
6 p.m. Old Dominion
8 p.m. Chase Rice
10 p.m. Jake Owen
Saloon Stage
10 a.m. USA Karaoke finals
5 p.m. Mo Pitney
7 p.m. Mark Chesnutt
9:15 p.m. Brandon Lay
SATURDAY, JULY 8
Main Stage
2 p.m. Chris Lane
4 p.m. Dan & Shay
6 p.m. Montgomery Gentry
8 p.m. Brett Eldredge
10 p.m. Florida Georgia Line
Saloon Stage
1 p.m. Clark Manson
3 p.m. Tara Thompson
5 p.m. Amanda Watkins
7 p.m. Chris Lane
9:15 p.m. Morgan Wallen
