A summer Friday saw the sun setting on NARA Park in Acton as Tusk, a highly regarded Fleetwood Mac Tribute band, performed for a crowd of over a thousand concertgoers on July 12. The Town of Acton Recreation Summer Concert Series continued after a record number of attendees at the Cars Best Friend’s Girl concert and the vibrant Acton July 4 Fireworks event.
After a series of rainouts last year, the clear skies this month were a welcome sight for NARA event-goers, who come from near and far to enjoy world-class bands and entertainment. The NARA gates opened at 7 pm, with attendees enjoying a variety of food-truck fare, including Fenway-style sausages, cheeseburgers, BBQ chicken, garden veggie burgers, french fries, sweet potato fries, popcorn, ice cream, and more. Assorted beverages, including beer, wine, and soft drinks, were also available.
The crowd was a sea of dancing and bobbing heads near the NARA Amphitheater stage as Tusk lead female vocalist Kathy Philips performed with the likeness, voice, and mannerisms of Stevie Nicks.
ActonTV offered a preview of the 2024 Town of Acton Concert and Event Series at NARA Park, interviewing Maura Haberman, Town of Acton Event & Program Coordinator. Martin Stewart, the lead guitarist and band manager of Into the Floyd, also stopped by ActonTV for an interview with Maura ahead of his July 19 performance. Martin Stewart expressed his hopes for good weather this year, saying, “We love playing NARA – it’s our best venue—our favorite venue of all the places that we play!”
A significant story for this year’s NARA Concert & Event Series is the large number of Acton area businesses and community sponsors. Sponsorship funding makes it possible to have these nationally touring bands while keeping tickets affordable. This summer’s tickets are $20 in advance from Acton Recreation or online at Eventbrite, and $25 on the day of the concert and at the gate. Ticket prices have not increased for several years.
Maura Haberman, who leads the Annual Town Concert & Event Series at NARA Park, commented, “The Town of Acton Concert & Event Series offers a mutually beneficial relationship that promotes a strong sense of community. It’s our opportunity to show how vital and important our local businesses are and how they support the communities they work in! It’s all about Acton: Live, shop, eat, and recreate here!” Concert-goers traveled from across the region, including New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, for the July 12 Tusk concert.
NARA (Nathaniel Alan Recreation Area) is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Popular for its long-running summer camp, assorted recreational programs, swimming, and various picnic areas, NARA is also a gateway to the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. The Thomas E. Tidman Amphitheater at NARA is home to the Town of Acton Recreation summer concerts and events.
KJ Herther is an Acton Exchange contributor who works part-time for the Acton Economic and Community Development Office.