Botetourt County (WSLS10)-- Outdoor concerts and events are getting more popular than ever, especially this time of year-- bringing a major boost to Botetourt County and the Daleville Town Center. It's been several years since the center opened and it's very quickly becoming Botetourt's most popular spot for outdoor concerts.
The center features several popular restaurants-- Land of A Thousand Hills Coffee Shop, The Town Center Tap House and Tizzones. There's also a brand new Bank of Botetourt Branch, a Lewis Gale Medical Facility and a full apartment complex in the center.
From a farmer's market on Saturdays to weekly music performances, which include a mix of local and national musicians, the Town Center has come a long way in the past few years.
"I remember being a kid there when it was an Apple Orchard," says JD Sutphin, with Big Lick Entertainment. "I never would've thought I could see these huge national acts, beach music and beer festivals all in this one gorgeous spot, where people can now live too. Other businesses are really growing here as well. It's really reflective of how Southwest Virginia as a whole is trying to get bigger."
This year, nearly three dozen concerts and events have been scheduled at the venue. It's all part of an ongoing effort to bring more people into the center and to Botetourt as a whole.
"A couple of years ago when it opened, I think people were unsure what was out here." says Cody Sexton, Botetourt County's Information Specialist. "But as folks have come out and see what we have to offer, they keep coming back and every year it gets bigger."
As the center continues to grow, more and more people are coming to these events as well. Sutphin says he saw a huge response last month to the first Flat Pickin' Friday of the year.
"It actually broke the record for most people ever at the venue," he says. "There were over 2,000 people in the park celebrating music and a great cause. It was amazing."
Many of those visitors end up eating dinner in the Town Center ahead of the events or sticking around for a drink after.
This week there are two concerts scheduled, The Key West Band on Thursday, and on Friday The Natalie Brady Band performs as part of Big Lick Entertainment's Flat Pickin' Fridays.
For more information on the Daleville Town Center, click here.
