Fayetteville’s summer concert series, Rock’n on the River, is back for the third year. The events will be held once a month on Fridays from May to October and feature a variety of performers, from local acts to tribute bands.

The series is billed as a place where families can relax and listen to great music. The community is invited to bring chairs and blankets and settle in for a night of family-friendly entertainment along the Cape Fear River.

“I want people to come out and bring the family and enjoy themselves, and have some food and have some drinks,” said event organizer Greg Adair.
The series started in 2019 when Adair realized there weren’t many activities for families after the Dogwood Festival in the spring.

“I just wanted another concert series where people can go have a drink, take the family and enjoy themselves,” he said.

“And that’s what we created, and it just took off.”

The first year the series had three shows, and the next year, they doubled to six. The pandemic forced cancelations in 2020, but they were able to bring it back in 2021.

Attendance has grown over the years, proving that the community wanted an event like this. One of the most popular nights in previous years brought in more than 1000 people.
Adair knows the importance of supporting local businesses after the shutdowns of the last two years, so all the event partners are from the area.

“When we went through 2020 [we] saw all these [businesses] really struggle to stay open,” he said. “It’s something we owe our community— to shop local. They have struggled for a year, almost two years now, and just barely getting back on their feet.”

He acknowledges that local businesses do not have to support events during downtimes, but they have stepped up to provide free entertainment for the community.

“They are still supporting these shows so people can have a free place to go,” he said. “There is a lot to be said about that.”

The season will kick off May 13 with opener Dark Horse (country) and headliner ABACAB (Genesis/Phil Collins tribute). Parking will open at 5 p.m., and the first band starts at 6 p.m. The second band will perform at 8 p.m. and end at 10:15 p.m.

Additional Rock’n on the River concerts are planned for June 17, Stone Whiskey (southern rock) and The Fifth (80s hard rock); July 22, Autumn Tyde (beach/R&B) and REV ON (Foreigner tribute); August 19, Regional Band Blowout with 80s Unleashed, Guy Unger Band and Rivermist (Adair’s band); September 16, Reflections II (party music) and KISS ARMY (KISS tribute); October 21, Joyner Young & Marie (pop) and Night Train (Guns N’ Roses tribute).

There is no admission charge for the event, but parking is $15 per car. Food and drinks are available for purchase on-site, so concertgoers should only plan to bring chairs or a blanket. The series is held at 1122 Person

St. behind Deep Creek Grill.
Follow the event Facebook page for updates at www.facebook.com/Rockn-On-The-River-271048666818630.