Secret City Festival features something for everyone

 

The 14th annual Secret City Festival on June 10 and 11 is fast approaching, and it promises great entertainment, music, a World War II battle re-enactment, family fun, arts and crafts, food, historical displays, and much more, a press release said.

The Secret City Festival kicks off at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, June 10, and 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, with full days of fun and exciting events happening on the pavilion stage and around the festival venue. The annual festival is at the Oak Ridge Civic Center and Alvin K. Bissell Park in central Oak Ridge.

The Charlie Daniels Band takes the stage Friday night, June 10, for an evening of great music and energy. A 2016 inductee in the Country Music Hall of Fame, Charlie Daniels has parlayed his passion for music into a multi-platinum career and a platform to support the military, a cause that is close to his heart. With songs like “The South’s Gonna Do It Again,” “Long Haired Country Boy,” and “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” The Charlie Daniels Band is a must-see concert.

Opening for The Charlie Daniels Band is the Southern Drawl Band, which has been touted as “one of the nation’s hottest emerging bands, ranking top among the best live performances to come along in decades” by Lorren Cornelius, formerly of Geffen Records Promotions.

The incomparable Grand Funk Railroad with Atlanta Rhythm Section will be “comin’ to your town to help you party it down” on June 11. The quintessential ’70s rock band, Grand Funk Railroad will be bringing their chart-topping hits, including “We’re An American Band,” “Some Kind of Wonderful,” and “Shinin On” to the Saturday night stage. A fixture of the southern rock scene for more than 30 years, Atlanta Rhythm Section will be belting out their biggest hits including “I’m Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight,” “Imaginary Lover,” and “Boogie Smoogie.”

Tickets: Early bird rate of $22 from May 1 through May 30, $25 after May 30 and at the gate.

On Friday and Saturday, the Pavilion Stage at will be filled with free entertainment including music, dancing, and juggling. Featured this year is ACRODUNK, a basketball performance squad whose mission is to inspire audiences with variations of the slam-dunk. The squad has appeared twice on “America’s Got Talent” and performed worldwide.

Returning this year are family favorites Stunt Jumpz, Jacobs Ladder, Oscar the Robot, ORNL Traveling Science Fair, Eurobungy, a petting zoo, water slides, laser tag, karaoke, and more. A special Children’s Stage will be set up on Saturday with entertainment for the younger crowd including a ventriloquist, magician, and storytelling.

A World War II battle re-enactment sponsored by National Strategic Protective Services will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, in A.K. Bissell Park. Step back in time and experience the sights and sounds of frontline combat during WWII and learn about the men and women who helped ensure the Allied victory that shaped the world we live in today.

“See the uniforms, equipment, and vehicles that were part of the world’s largest conflict in action!” the press release said. “Experience the only live firing FLAK 88 in the country!” More information on the re-enactment will be available soon.

The Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association invites you to view this year’s history displays located inside the Oak Ridge Civic Center. “Faith and Courage” is an exhibit honoring the service and heroism of U.S. military chaplains of World War II. This award-winning exhibit recognizes the contributions of a special group of veterans whose story is rarely told and will feature text and photographs from the war. Also viewable will be a special display honoring William “Bill” Tewes. Tewes was a Special Engineering Detachment member and an Oak Ridge resident until his passing on April 20, 2016. Tewes was recognized in Washington, D.C., at the 70th Anniversary Reunion for Manhattan Project Veterans.

Tickets for the Friday and Saturday concerts can be purchased at www.SecretCityFestival.com or at the Oak Ridge Civic Center, which is at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The Friday night concert is sponsored by LDA Engineering and MerleFM 96.7. The Saturday night concert is sponsored by UCOR and 93.1 WNOX.

The concert gate opens at 5:30 p.m. each night. Concerts start at 7:30 p.m. each night.

The presenting festival sponsors are City of Oak Ridge and CNS Y-12.

For more information on activities, concerts, and to purchase concert tickets, please visit www.SecretCityFestival.com.

“Come on out this year and have a blast at the 2016 Secret City Festival!” the press release said.

 

 

This press release was submitted by Explore Oak Ridge/Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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