MANSFIELD — This is my second year in Mansfield, and already the Final Friday concerts in the Brickyard are an unmissable fixture on my summer calendar.
This local success story, courtesy of Downtown Mansfield Inc. and a bevy of local sponsors, gets plenty of attention. So much so that I was initially wary of adding my two cents – but doggone it, I had such a good time there last weekend I felt compelled to celebrate it.
The fun starts early at 5 p.m. By the time I arrived at around 7:30 p.m., singer Kelly Vaughn was entertaining the crowd and the party was in full swing. The large area in front of the permanent stage was packed with rows of happy concert-goers in lawn chairs, and food stands like Slab Daddy’s BBQ were doing good business.
There’s plenty of room to mark out your spot for the night with a comfy chair, and many do just that, but just as many others like to wander and mingle. I’m one of those, and after casting my eye around, I worked my way down to the Phoenix Brewery.
Just a few steps from the main stage, this gem of a brewpub functions as the unofficial indoor headquarters on concert night. The music spills over directly to their bustling patio and there’s a constant circulation of the crowd back and forth.
This wandering tendency fits in well with the general set-up at the Phoenix, where on any given night the patrons move easily from table to table, chatting with different groups.
Sitting close to the bar I found my near-neighbors Paul McClain and Helen McNamara working on a sample flight of Phoenix brews with a few of their buddies.
“It’s fun to watch people,” Helen said. “You know, sitting at home I don’t feel like part of the community. When I come down here I’m part of the community.”
Paul added, “Look at all the different people who turn up – it’s odd, man! But it’s a good thing.”
Back outside, the DeVault Ridge Band cranked things up and attracted some enthusiastic dancers. One lady turned to me and said “This is great, I’ve met up with people I haven’t seen in years! I’m amazed to see some of them dancing.”
Laughing, she added “I’m amazed to see some of them alive!”
I considered performing a quick impromptu jig myself by way of response, but thought better of it and instead headed toward the spillover area in the south of the Brickyard.
On my way I spotted local bluesman Jimi Vincent in line at the hot-dog stand. A few months back I saw Jimi and his band performing at the City News Smoke Room on Main Street, and it was a truly magical night. It was still winter but the blistering heat of Jimi’s guitar work made it seem like a hot summer night inside.
This guy is the real deal, and the good news is Jimi will be on stage for the next Final Friday with the band Nasty Habits. Don’t miss it, it promises to be a treat.
I reached the rear of the crowd and found small groups gathered around the drink tents and further food stands. A hungry line formed in front of that splendid purveyor of gourmet tacos and exotic sliders, the Altered Eats truck.
Further back I could see laughing silhouettes in the upstairs window of the City Grille, and a crowd hanging out at the back of the Clubhouse, getting a great bird’s-eye view of the band.
Round the corner some others made the easy trek to Martini’s patio. This party really does take in everything around it.
I got myself a drink and found some table space, where I got to chatting with husband-and- wife Ron and Linda Lowery.
“This is our third or fourth time, it keeps getting exponentially better,” Linda said. “More tables, more vendors, all those lawn chairs … and it’s family-friendly, it’s lovely. Just look at those kids dancing!”
“Everyone’s finished work, everyone’s happy,” Ron added. “It’s such a comfortable feeling, it’s like going to someone’s backyard. There’s no theatrics needed … it doesn’t feel forced, because if you get this many people relaxed and having a good time it all flows from that.”
He’s hit the nail on the head. It feels like the town has casually invited a few thousand close friends to come and hang out on the back patio. Of course, this is deceptive. It’s far from easy to successfully create that kind of atmosphere.
I wasn’t around when this was being put together, and I haven’t witnessed the growth, but I know it would not have happened at all without much hard work and commitment from certain individuals.
I can also well imagine a lot of naysayers will initially have scoffed at the idea and said no-one will come … and yet here we all are.
What we have is a treasure for locals, but also a great showcase for visitors. The music drives it but it’s the gathering of people that makes it special. Welcoming to all, this event attracts many who I’m sure would not otherwise come down here.
“Embrace it!” said Linda, as I made my way off for another circuit of the crowd, “it’s your downtown!”
The next Final Friday concert will take place on June 24 at The Brickyard, 13 W Temple Ct, Mansfield. Featured performers will be Luther Trammel & John Sutton, Nasty Habits, and Monica Robbins and the Whiskey Kings.
As always, the show is free and open to the public.
