SPACE COAST READIES FOR COUNTRY MUSIC FANS
With opening curtain barely 90 days away, organizers, hotels, restaurants and businesses are in countdown mode, preparing to welcome country music fans from around the world.
Steel Magnolia, a record setting duo kicks off the Runaway Country Music Fest in Wickham Park, Friday April 15th at 4:00PM.
Rob Varley, executive director of Space Coast Office of Tourism had this to say about the concert site, “When organizers selected the park to host this event, we went over and stood in the field and stared out from what will be center stage, and we all just kind of went, oh my, this is beautiful.”
There’s beaches, towering palms, lakeside seating and dining, winding roads. Fans are in for a real treat.”
Runaway Country Director, Gary McCann said, “In my opinion, the set up of Wickham Park is one of the nicest outdoor festival sites in the nation. Music lovers are going to be very impressed, as were the production people and managers from Nashville.”
Apparently so.
Shortly after the festival site was confirmed, artists began announcing their appearance. Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Jake Owen, Lonestar, Eric Church, Justin Moore, John Anderson, Josh Kelley, Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Lo Cash Cowboys and the above mentioned Steel Magnolia will be taking to two stages over two days.
And that is music to the ears of Tom Williamson, spokesperson for the Cocoa Beach Hotel Association, “We were like a lot of the Nashville stars. As soon as we heard about the festival, we jumped on board. I have spoken with hotels across the Space Coast, reservations started coming in. Everyone is ready. We expect to be sold out.”
McCann said, “These next several weeks are jam packed with activity. The main stage, audio, video and lighting is being trucked in from Nashville, the existing Wickham Park Amphitheater converted into Stage Number 2, nicknamed the Tiki Saloon, a shopping corral and vendor village are going up, RV and camping spots are being prepared over approx 350 acres, logistics meetings with Melbourne and Brevard County police and fire personnel have begun, hotel shuttles and tour bus schedules finalized. The list is extensive.”
Greg Minor, Brevard County Parks and Operations Manager stated, “We are looking forward to hosting this great music festival. Some of the park staff are huge country music fans. Even the ones who aren’t probably will be after taking in the excitement and atmosphere. Wickham Park is ready, it looks great.”
Melbourne Regional Chamber President, Christine Michaels, said yesterday, “Many Space Coast businesses are preparing to take their companies to the festival. Early on, we made arrangements with event organizers to set up tables along the lake. An entertainment area to enjoy the show and also network and mingle with festival sponsors. We love it.”
Michelle McCoy, on-air personality at country music station, 102.7 The HitKicker said, “It’s the hottest ticket in town. Our phones ring off the hook every time we mention it. I’m so excited to have this right here in our backyard. Even better, it’s not a stadium show, it’s all happening in a beautiful park, a very cool festival atmosphere. And it’s coming so quickly, it’s hard to believe April is almost here. We’ve been rewarding our listeners with weekend passes and are planning some nice HitKicker surprises at the show. I can’t wait.”
Tom Poehailos, General Manager, Crowne Plaza Oceanfront and spokesperson for the Melbourne Beaches Hotels Association was quite animated this past week, “We have put together some very nice hotel ticket packages for guests, these are being bought up quickly. But what I think excites me the most, the tremendous response and attention our area is receiving across the country and most recently overseas, Germany and England called.
This is huge for all of us. This puts us on the major festival map. We are prepared to welcome country music fans to the Space Coast.”
McCann concluded, “Runaway Country has been on the planning table for about three years. Now with three months to go, we’ve got our running boots on.”
For up-to-the-minute information, visit www.runawaycountry.com
Wickham Park is located 40 minutes east of Orlando and 12 miles south of Cocoa Beach.
2500 Parkway Dr., Melbourne FL 32935