HAMLET — The forecast is starting to look a little more dry for Friday evening when local cover band The Safety Committee kicks off the Boxcar Concert Series at Main Street Park.
The band — featuring Nikki Fletcher on vocals, Chuck Smith on guitar, Eddie Brown on drums, Mervyn Celso on guitar and keyboards and Roger Campbell on bass — performed in the series last year…in the rain. Smith, Brown and Celso also contribute main and backing vocals on a set of classic rock covers including songs from the Eagles, Tom Petty, Journey and Guns ‘n Roses.
Click here to see photos from the band’s 2022 performance.
Fletcher will also be performing the national anthem Sunday for the AHDRA event at Rockingham Dragway.
The Boxcar Concert series for the 2023 season will coincide with TGIFriday Food Trucks at the Hamlet Depot and Museums parking lot.
Food trucks this week are: Mama Blair’s, Alford’s Smoke’N Grill, Tacos Mr. Pancho, Dog Bites, Big D’s Mini Donuts and Kona Ice. Most of the trucks will be on site from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with Kona Ice setting up around 3 p.m.
The Boxcar Concert series features a variety of music this year including blues, gospel and country. Other scheduled acts are:
- Jonathan Robinson – May 26
- 2nd Chance Ministries – June 23
- The Radio – Sept. 22
- Erik Hawks – Oct. 27
Like Robinson, Hawks is a Richmond County native and routinely plays at Hudson Brothers Deli in Rockingham. This past weekend, he opened for Bucky Covington at Rockingham’s SpringFest. Hawks will also be performing at the Dragway in June for N.C. Speed Lab’s Civil Wars event.
Click here to see photos of Hawks from SpringFest.
Click here to see photos of Robinson playing the Boxcar series in 2022.
Depot Director Mechelle Preslar said there will be no concerts in July and August due to the heat.
Hamlet is also hosting the second annual Walk N’ Wag on Saturday from 9 a.m.-noon. at Main Street Park.
At that event, donations and supplies will be collected for the Richmond County Animal Shelter and Richmond County Operation Fix.
Formerly R.C. Animal Advocates, the latter group changed its name to reflect its focus of covering costs for spay and neuter surgeries to help quell the unwanted pet population.
According to founder Allison Story, the group has funded more than 500 spay or neuter surgeries since 2019.
There is a $10 entry fee for the Pet Parade and first-, second-, and third-place prizes will be given for “the cutest costume.”
Gift baskets will be raffled off and there will be freebies for pets and people. Burger Bros and Gentleman Mobile Bar will be on site with food and mocktails.
Click here to see photos from last year’s Walk ‘N Wag.
For more information on any of the events, contact Mechelle Preslar at 910-582-0603.
