LAWRENCE TWP. − Neon Nights will return to a purely country music lineup this weekend when campers and fans show up.
The format is a change from the past two summers when the event showcased a mix of classic rock and country music, including Foreigner, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Bret Michaels. Aaron Green, co-owner of The Country Fest and Neon Nights music festivals, said the decision was strategic and partly based on the availability of musical artists.
“It’s a little bit of strategy for us to see how it goes to go back all to country,” he said. “… My guess is we’ll probably continue to dabble in rock when it makes sense and the synergies match and the availability is good.
“It’s just about budgets and timing and who’s available and who’s playing the market. I wish it was as easy as you just call them up and say this is what we want and here’s the money but it’s just not that simple.”
Absent rock ‘n’ roll, Green is stoked for the lineup performing Aug. 14-15 at Clay’s Resort Jellystone Park, including headliners Rascal Flatts and Billy Currington.
Rascal Flatts are “a big get,” Green said. “We’ve actually been trying to get those guys for quite a few years … and we’re excited about it. We feel the lineup is really strong and we’re really looking forward to it.”
Rascal Flatts plays Aug. 14. Darryl Worley returns to Neon Nights the same day to kick off the event. Billy Currington headlines Aug. 15, with Neal McCoy in the first slot. Also performing will be Shenandoah and Joe Nichols on Aug. 14, and Terri Clark and Craig Morgan on Aug. 15.
Here’s what else you need to know about Neon Nights:
How does Neon Nights compare to Country Fest?
The Country Fest in June was four days of music and revelry. But Neon Nights, marking its sixth festival, is tamer in comparison, Green noted.
Musical artists are older and so are most of the fans at Neon Nights.
About 10,000 to 12,000 people are expected per day at Neon Nights, Green said. Capacity is 15,000. Country Fest has a capacity of around 24,000 and peaked at just more than 18,000 per day this summer.
“We want it a little more of a boutique feel,” he said of Neon Nights. “This is a little more of a chair sitting environment,” compared to about 70% of concertgoers who stand at Country Fest.
“The crowd is a lot calmer,” he said of Neon Nights.
What hit songs will be played?
Every artist at Neon Nights has hit songs in their catalogs.
Darryl Worley’s big song is especially meaningful this year, “Have You Forgotten,” which was released in 2003 and was inspired by the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center Towers in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001.
The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, holding the spot for seven weeks.
“It was a monster hit song for him,” Green said.
Rascal Flatts, meanwhile, has a slew of original hit songs, including the Grammy-winning, “Bless the Broken Road,” as well the country chart toppers “Take Me There” and “My Wish.” But their most popular tune is a cover of the addictively catchy and harmony rich “Life is a Highway” from the soundtrack of the 2006 animated movie, “Cars.”
Billy Currington will crank out fan favorites, too.
Billboard country chart standouts include “Good Directions, “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right,” “People Are Crazy,” “Pretty Good at Drinkin’ Beer” and “Hey Girl.”
Shenandoah reeled off a string of hits in the late ’80s and into the ’90s, including “The Church on Cumberland Road,” “Two Dozen Roses,” “Sunday in the South,” “Next to You, Next to Me” and “Ghost in This House,” which has been covered by Alison Krauss and The Dixie Chicks.
Neal McCoy scored a country smash with “The Shake” in 1997. A few years earlier, he topped the country charts with “Wink” and “No Doubt About It.”
What’s new at Neon Nights?
The biggest change at Neon Nights is the gates to the amphitheater won’t open until 2 p.m., instead of 10 a.m. like in the past.
The change benefits logistics, including moving in gear and setting up the stage area, Green said.
The will call and box office also opens at 2 p.m. The parking lot will still open at 10 a.m.
To avoid long lines when entering the amphitheater, attendees can get their wristband starting at noon each day at the designated tent.
Are beer prices going up?
Beer prices aren’t changing.
“We haven’t had a price increase in beer in like five years,” Green said. “And we have never increased parking since we started, but it’s getting harder and harder (not to raise prices).
“Our costs for running these festivals since post-COVID … is up 70%,” he said, referring to general operations, including police, production and “normal, everyday things we need.”
How much do tickets cost?
There’s still plenty of time to buy tickets.
Single-day passes cost $109.99 plus fees. Two-day passes cost $119.99 plus fees.
To purchase tickets and for more information, including about camping, go to www.theneonnights.com.
General parking costs $10 per day and it’s $20 per day for tailgate alley. Both cash and cards are accepted for parking.
Ticket prices have crept up over the years, Green said, but he still considers The Country Fest and Neon Nights both to be a tremendous value for the sheer number of concerts and the quality of artists.
“We really try to give folks value as much as we can,” Green said. “We always say these festivals were built for everyday people.”
When are the Neon Nights concerts?
Concerts begin at 4 p.m. each day, followed by shows at 5:45 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.
How to get there
The recommended GPS address for Clay’s Resort Jellystone Park is 5050 Manchester Ave. NW. Signs will be posted directing attendees to parking.
Reach Ed at ed.balint@cantonrep.com. Follow on Instagram at ed_balint and TikTok @edwardbalint.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: ‘Going to be exciting.’ Rascal Flatts, Billy Currington headlining Neon Nights
Reporting by Ed Balint, Canton Repository / The Repository
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ed Balint, Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
