BRIDGEWATER, Va. — Bluestone Vineyard hosted the Chris Sacks Band on Friday, Sept. 12 during its Toast the Weekend concert series.
According to Bluestone Vineyard’s website, the series runs most weekends in late summer and early fall and features local and regional musicians. The vineyard promotes the events as opportunities for visitors to gather in a community setting.
Admission is $10 per person, and house wine and food trucks are available. The event is family-friendly, and guests are allowed to bring chairs and blankets to sit on the hillside overlooking the vines.
Children danced near the stage while parents looked on, and the steel drum solos drew loud cheers from the crowd. Guests spread out on the hillside in folding chairs and on blankets, sipping wine as the smell of barbecue and fried food drifted over from the food trucks.
One of the food trucks on site was Ott Street Eats. The truck offered options such as cheeseburger egg rolls, pretzel sticks, and grilled cheese, which drew a steady line of concertgoers throughout the night.
The Chris Sacks Band is a four-piece band, and on their website, the band describes its sound as a “tropical blend” inspired by the music of Jimmy Buffett, classic rock, and original beach-themed songs.
“This band has actually been different because they’ve done exclusively Jimmy Buffett themed songs versus other groups,” Maddie, an employee at Bluestone Vineyard, said. “They do more of a variety, but I love Jimmy Buffett, so I’m all happy about this.”
Olivia DeWan, a former Bridgewater College student, said she decided to attend after hearing about the music and food options.
“I was going with some friends, which was super awesome, and I heard there were going to be some food trucks there,” DeWan said. “The atmosphere is just so friendly. It really makes you feel like it’s just a small-town country vibe.”
Attendance varies depending on the weather and the band, but Maddie said the concerts often draw several hundred people. Families, students, and community members typically make up the crowd.
For Maddie, the concerts also make her job more enjoyable.
“It’s awesome because I get a free show, so it’s like, I don’t have to pay anything and I get to sit here and listen and then talk to cool people,” Maddie said.
According to Bluestone Vineyard’s online schedule, the next Toast the Weekend concert is hosting Standing Room Only and is set for Friday, Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m. in Bridgewater.
