W’burg block parties kick off Friday with ‘The Frontier Band’

The Frontier Band will perform from 8-11 p.m. Friday at Bill Woods Park in Williamsburg during the first block party of the summer.

This summer you don’t have to go any further than Bill Woods Park in Williamsburg on Friday nights to find either free live concerts or free movies in the park.

“I am looking forward to another great summer of fun with our block parties and movies in the park and all the other festivities we are going to have. I want to invite everybody to come to it,” noted Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison. “It is family fun and family friendly. As the Bailey’s used to say, a good time will be had by all.”

This Friday night, “The Frontier Band” out of London, Ky., will kick off the 12th consecutive year of summer block parties, which are sponsored by the Williamsburg Main Street Program.

“They are new for us. I think everybody is going to like them,” said Williamsburg Main Street Manager Nannie Hays.

The band plays 50’s, 60’s and 70’s music primarily.

“They have some of their own pieces that they have written. They are a young group trying to get started. We try to help groups in our area and show them off,” Hays added.

In addition, the “Frontier Band” will also be playing during Old Fashioned Trading Days this year.

On June 23, “Off the Clock” will also make its Williamsburg debut.

Hays said that the mayor heard this Lexington-based band for the first time during a Kentucky League of Cities meeting, and wanted to get them to perform in Williamsburg.

“They really are good. They play the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s style that everybody likes,” Hays added.

July’s two block parties will feature some familiar faces, including the “Familiar Faces” band, which will play on July 7.  The Nashville-based band with a Motown sound has been playing at the Williamsburg block parties for the last 11 years.

On July 28, Jimmy Buffett tribute band “Lunar Beach House,” will close out the block party season.

All the block parties are scheduled to be held from 8 – 11 p.m. at Bill Woods Park. The events are subject to being moved to the Williamsburg Tourism and Convention Center if there is inclement weather.

The block parties are free and open to the public, but are bring your own lawn chair events.

“Come on out. Enjoy it. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy some good music,” Hays added. “It is good socializing time.”

On Friday nights this summer in June and July when block parties aren’t taking place, area residents can enjoy free movies in the park courtesy of the Whitley County Public Library.

The four dates this summer are June 16, June 30, July 21 and Aug. 4.

Movies are scheduled to start around 9 p.m. each evening in Bill Woods Park.

The movies are family friendly fares that often feature popular animated flicks.

The movies in the park are also bring your own lawn chair events with no seating provided.

Other summer events

The annual Beat the Heat Color Run will take place on Friday, Aug. 4 with registration at Bill Woods Park.

The Whitley County Farmers Market in Williamsburg will be open every Thursday through the month of September from 3 – 6 p.m. at Bill Woods Park.