Many towns and villages throughout the country have an evening concert series in the summer that brings people together outdoors. Most of these shows are relatively simple concepts where a band takes the stage for a couple of hours while a crowd gathers to listen.
While there’s nothing wrong with these concerts, as they certainly fill a void in many locations, Wakefield’s RiverFire concert series takes this vision to an entirely new level while remaining free of charge.
Every RiverFire evening is a full-scale event with two stages – one on Main Street and another on the river’s edge. There’s also a third location at The Contemporary Theater Company, where a secondary concert with an admission charge keeps the party going afterward.
The free shows at the River Stage and Main Street Stage occur every Thursday between June 23 and August 18, 2022, and run from 6:00 until 8:00 PM. They also act as a fundraiser with food donations going to the JonnyCake Center of Hope.
Then, Afterglow at The Contemporary Theater Company’s Riverfront Performance Patio extends the evening until 10:00, with ticket prices ranging from $10-50.
Make sure you check out RiverFire or Afterglow at some point during your South County vacation because it’s an experience you won’t come across anywhere else in Rhode Island.
The RiverFire and Afterglow Lineups For 2022
Every show throughout the summer is different, so it’s worth looking at the lineups for 2022.
June 23 will be held in conjunction with Wakefield Pride Month and feature shows by James and the Giants and the Peace Collective. There will be a memorable and free Pride performance at The Contemporary Theater, as well.
On June 30, The Steve Pati Band, a five-piece ensemble playing original and classic rock, will take to the River Stage while Kate Barry plays on Main Street. The Q-Tip Bandits and Van Pelto Duo will combine for a show outside the theater for Afterglow.
July 7 is ladies’ night on Main Street, featuring all kinds of deals at local retailers, so get down there early to take advantage. In addition, the riverfront stage features Ted Sorlien, Family and Friends, Main Street has David Giorgi and Bob Woods, and the Riverfront Performance Patio will host Steve Smith and the Nakeds.
If you’re in South County on July 14, you can check out the second RiverFire performance of the summer by the Peace Collective at the River Stage, head to Main Street for Barbara and Wyatt Lema, or visit the theater for Tish Adams & Blue U Can Use.
The River Stage will host a spirited performance by Gary Hopp and Friends on July 21, while Main Street will have the bluegrass stylings of the Goathead Strings Band. Take It To The Bridge will also perform at The Contemporary Theater Company that evening.
It’s a big night on July 28, thanks to a performance on the riverfront by The D Train. Main Street will also have Poorman’s Gibson, while the theater’s outdoor stage brings out Big Nazo Intergalactic Band. Keep in mind that this show at The Contemporary Company starts at 8:30, a half-hour later than usual.
A George Harrison tribute called By George kicks things off on August 4 at the River Stage, while Meg Zimmy and Friends perform on Main Street. The Copacetics, a reggae/ska band with Jamaican influences, will take the theater’s stage that evening, too.
The River Stage will be a bit different on August 11, as the Wakefield Concert Band will perform classics from Beethoven, Holst, and Sousa, to name a few. Gooseberry Road will play on Main Street at the same time, while James and the Giants make an appearance at the Riverfront Performance Patio later on that evening.
There will be a show on August 18, 2022, featuring the winner of Wakefield Idol, but other details won’t be released until closer to the concert.
It’s worth noting that Afterglow shows on June 16 – featuring the Matt Fraza Band – and August 25 – with Billy Lord – will also take place this summer. There won’t be RiverFire shows on those evenings, though.
Overall, RiverFire and Afterglow shows have enough variety to keep nearly every music lover happy, so make sure you head to Wakefield from your South County vacation rental this summer.
Other Activities
In addition to the music, RiverFire provides a reason to head out and experience downtown Wakefield. The bars and restaurants around Wakefield are lively before and after these shows, and many shops stay open late to accommodate the influx of people on Thursday nights.
Thursdays in the summer are the perfect time to experience Wakefield, so plan to attend at least one of these shows during your South County vacation.
Making the Most of Your Holiday
South County is an eventful place, and you’ll quickly find your time filling up. Still, making time for RiverFire is worth the effort because it’s fun for the entire family and an excellent way to spend an evening.
And if you’re wondering why the series is called RiverFire, it’s because there are torches in the water to light your way as you cross the Saugatucket River Bridge between the various music venues.
You can’t beat the ambiance and atmosphere of attending a live show in downtown Wakefield, and the quality of the music and scenic venues make it even better.
Take the time to check out RiverFire the next time you book a vacation rental in South County, Rhode Island.