As summer settles into Fayetteville, the sounds of live music will soon echo along Cape Fear River as Rock’n On the River returns for another year. What began as a single concert has grown into one of the city’s summer traditions, offering a free, family-friendly space where music and community come together. Now a staple of the local entertainment scene, Rock’n On the River has built its reputation on consistency and variety. The free concert is held at Deep Creek Outfitters at 1122 Person St. on the third Friday of the month throughout the summer. Concerts begin at 6 p.m.
“Formed in October 2018, thanks to Mac Healy and Healy Wholesale’s donation, it started with one year-end concert,” said Greg Adair, the series’ organizer. “That first show introduced the venue and let people know about a few dates we planned for the following summer.”
By 2019, the series established its rhythm, setting performances on the third Friday of each month, a strategic choice that helped avoid conflicts with other local events.
The series has steadily evolved from those early beginnings.
“We went from three concerts yearly to five by the start of 2022, after COVID,” Adair said. “I wanted to make it bigger and better afterwards.”
That growth reflects not only the popularity of the event, but the demand for accessible live entertainment in the Fayetteville area.
“It’s one of the very few options left,” Adair said. “Especially since the scaling back of other venues in recent years.”
At its core, Rock’n On the River is driven by a simple but meaningful mission.
“To have a local, family-friendly, free option of entertainment on the Cape Fear River,” Adair said.
Accessibility has helped the series become more than just a lineup of concerts. It’s a place where families gather, friends reconnect and the community unites.
“It makes me happy to know that I could bring things together to make people smile for a few hours,” Adair said.
The sense of community extends beyond the audience and into the structure of the event itself. Adair’s built Rock’n On the River around a network of local partnerships, intentionally limiting sponsorships to Fayetteville-based organizations.
“Only local partners are used or advertised, and only one partner in each field,” said Adair. “Healy Wholesale is the sponsor of the whole series, and it could not happen without them.”
Additional partners include local media, businesses and service providers, all contributing to the event’s success while maintaining a strong community-centered identity. The series also partners with Karen Chandler Trust, a nonprofit cancer support organization, with half of the proceeds from the alcohol tent directly helping local individuals and families facing cancer.
Adair shared that diversity in music is essential to the experience.
“It’s such a refreshing thing to see a place where people are happy.”
That spirit of connection and celebration carries into this year’s lineup, which features a mix of rock, pop, southern rock and variety bands designed to appeal to a wide audience.
“Always mix it up some,” Adair said.
The season opens May 15 with a dynamic pairing of Reflections II and Shoot to Thrill, an all-female AC/DC tribute band that has become a crowd favorite.
“Reflections II is a great three-piece variety band that’ll play a big mix to warm the crowd up,” said Adair. “The girls AC/DC, Shoot to Thrill, is a stellar show. Crowd favorite.”
Tribute bands play a central role in the series, offering audiences opportunities to reconnect with the music they grew up with.
“In this venue, the crowds love older bands and can go back to those days by watching these bands emulate the artists,” Adair said.
That energy continues in June, when Fear State and Mostley Crue take the stage for a night dedicated to high-energy rock.
“Rock, rock, and more rock,” said Adair. “Fear State primarily does hard rock covers, and Mostley Crue is a really great copy.”
Come July, the focus shifts to local talent, highlighting the Guy Unger Band and Joyner, Young, Marie & Friends, two well-knowns in the Fayetteville music scene.
Adair stated it is invaluable to support homegrown performers, like the Guy Unger Band and Joyner Young & Marie.
“They’ve been fantastic performers and staples in our community for many years and have large followings too.”
The emphasis on local musicians reinforces the series’ commitment to supporting the community while giving audiences a chance to experience familiar favorites.
In August, the series leans into a Southern rock theme with Harley & Big Country, followed by ZZ Top Notch, a tribute to the iconic rock band ZZ Top.
“Southern Rock night,” Adair said. “Harley & Big Country will be a perfect lead-off.”
The season concludes in September with Krossroadz and Heart Breaker, a tribute act featuring music from Heart and Led Zeppelin.
“Krossroadz is a newer variety band that will play to many,” said Adair. “The perfect lead-off for Heart Breaker. Great group.”
When asked what first-time attendees can expect at Rock’n On the River, Adair described the experience as simple but memorable.
“A great show,” he said, noting that, while the performances mirror the energy of the bands they emulate, the atmosphere remains family-friendly, with onstage language and gestures kept appropriate for all ages. The concerts strike a balance between high-energy entertainment and a relaxed, welcoming environment. Guests can enjoy food from Deep Creek Grill and adult beverages from the Healy tent. Outside food and drinks are not permitted, and non-clear bags will be checked for security by Bear Dewberry to help ensure a safe experience. Many of the traditions and fan-favorite elements have become part of what keeps audiences coming back each year. Behind the scenes, however, bringing the series to life takes considerable effort.
“A lot of hard work and long, hot days,” Adair said. “Tons of planning and praying.”
Sponsors, partners and volunteers are essential to the success of Rock’n On the River.
“Without them we wouldn’t be doing it,” Adair said. “They are THE engine. Healy Wholesale and Mac Healy ROCK!”
That same sense of appreciation carries into how he views the role of the concert series in the community.
“So important. And this one is a winner,” he said. “From the folks that work the venue to the fans, it’s such a refreshing thing to see a place where people are happy.”
That sense of joy and connection continues to define the experience and is a big reason audiences return year after year.
As the 2026 season approaches, Adair hopes attendees walk away with more than just memories of a great show.
“Hope they leave happy, and singing the songs all through the weekend,” he said. For him, the series represents something much deeper than music. “It’s my flagship. My vision. My work,” Adair said. “And it comes together by what we all want for our community. No division, no hate, no turmoil. There are many great people still left in this town, and this is one of the places I get to see them. Here at Rock’n On the River.”
As the music fills the air along the Cape Fear River once again, Rock’n On the River stands as a reminder that sometimes the simplest moments with good music, good people and a shared space are what bring a community together. Rock’n On the River is a free concert open to the community. Parking is $10. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged, but no outside coolers are permitted. For more information and updates, visit https://bit.ly/4edF7y8.

(Top Photo: Reflections II.  Bottom Photo: Shoot to Thrill.  Photos courtesy of Greg Adair)