By Victoria Ewing Ware
Guest Writer
The 2025 Summer Friday Concert Series continues from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22 on the historic Hayesville square with Southern Vantage returning to the gazebo stage.
Southern Vantage is a three-piece band from Blairsville, Ga., that specializes in southern rock, country and classic hits. Band members Andrew Smith, Devin Ruff and Brian Nicholson, who formed the group in 2016, lend their three-part harmony to cover a variety of genres, hit songs and sprinkle in a few originals.
The concert two weeks
ago drew 700 folks to the square. There are just two concerts left in this year’s free concert series hosted by Clay County Communities Revitalization Association, so don’t miss out on the fun. Key sponsors for the 2025 series are Hwy. 69 Storage, Tony Wiegold; Edward Jones, Financial Advisor Jodi Sullivan and RE/MAX Town & Country, The Richard Kelley Group. Contributions from these and other sponsors, donations from individuals, businesses and organizations, plus collections in the “Red Buckets” on concert nights that sustain the annual concert series financially. Countless volunteers make it happen.
Come early, bring your favorite people and comfy lawn chairs or blankets and find that perfect spot on the Historic Courthouse/Beal Center courtyard. Skip cooking Friday night and support our local vendors: American Legion Post 532, Hayesville Q, Pic-A-Nick Basket DELI, Sunny Sips, the Funnel Bar, Shooting Creek Vines and Laughing Dogs Brewing. Food and beverage service begins at 6 p.m.
Parking is available in and around town. If you don’t get a close spot, wave down the “Red Rider” cart for free transport to and from your car, courtesy of Historic Hayesville Inc.
In the event of inclement weather, check the CCCRA website: https://www.cccra-nc.org/ or Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cccranc for updates.