By Future Brown
Herald Democrat
The annual summer concert series hosted by the city of Van Alstyne is back this weekend with its second to last concert of the year. Quiet Riot is expected to take to the stage at Central Social District at 8 p.m. with opening act Peddletrain starting the show at 7:30 p.m.
The event is free and families are welcome to bring a chair and a cooler. No glass containers are allowed on site.
“Quiet Riot has been referred to as a rock and roll phenomenon having several singles that charted on the Billboard top 100 with their songs being featured on several movie soundtracks and video games,” a news release from the city said. “Peddletrain will be opening the show at 7:30. This is a FREE family-friendly event with food trucks and live music. Coolers are welcome (NO GLASS) and pets are welcome on a leash! Presented by Van Alstyne Parks and Recreation, and Airview AC. Other sponsors include McManus and Payne, Kirby Smith Machinery, Brother Plumber, Benton Real Estate, Waste Connections, David Rodriguez State Farm, TMC ER at Anna, HEB, Murley Plumbing, Texas Bank, Old Brick Title, Top Notch Electrician, Crew Real Estate, and Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union!”
Sounds of Summer began this year with Kin Faux. Then, William Clark Green performed the Fourth of July show that was held on July 5. The final concert for the 2025 run of the series will be held on Sept. 6 with Mark Chesnutt as the headliner.
“We want to choose acts that are really interactive, Van Alstyne Municipal Events Coordinator Kandi Hessel said in 2024 about the concert series. “A lot of surrounding cities have these concerts, but we want to stand out. The experience we provide to the community is very important to us. Entertainers have a very important job and some who have been doing it for 50 years get out there and enjoy it like it’s their first day. Those are the types of entertainers we like to bring to Van Alstyne to provide that extra experience for the participants that like to go.”
Individuals are invited to get comfortable at the park, but Central Social District is a glass free zone.
Individuals are invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets and coolers to the concert, but no glass is allowed in the park. As there are many concrete surfaces where glass could break, no glass is allowed in the park.
“Van Alstyne has a small town feel though we are growing quite a bit,” Hessel said. “The best part about it is that long-time residents being in awe about the experience, and the fact that it is free. They get to go down to their hometown park, bring their chairs, bring their pets and enjoy a named entertainment act in their hometown. The compliments that come along with that are part of my favorite. This is a total experience at home.”
