JULY 30, 2009 ISSUE
Annual Doc Watson Concert in Todd August 22
Proceeds Benefit the James "Crow" Parsons Memorial Fund
Doc Watson will again lend his time and talents to raise money for the James “Crow” Parsons Memorial Fund when he performs at Todd’s Cook Memorial Park on Saturday, August 22. Other performers include the Lost Ridge Band and Backstreet.
Doc Watson’s concert in Todd on Saturday, August 22, is a fundraiser for community projects and the James “Crow” Parsons Memorial Fund. Each summer since 2003, Doc and his grandson Richard have played for their friends and neighbors in Todd, helping to support the nonprofit Todd Community Preservation Organization in its efforts to sustain the community without destroying its unique character.
Each year, Doc’s Todd concert has showcased other local musicians, from Alternate Roots and Amantha Mill to Buck Haggard and Southeast Express, presenting a full afternoon of outstanding music in a beautiful rural setting. This year’s opening bands are Lost Ridge Band at 3:00 p.m. and Backstreet at 4:00 p.m.
The concert will again be dedicated to the memory of Parsons, who was part of music in Todd from its very beginnings. Although Parsons is now gone, the James “Crow” Parsons Memorial Fund has been established to finance future summer concerts at Cook Park. A pickle jar in the Todd Mercantile Bakery collects change and dollars for the fund, and the pickle jar is passed around during the Saturday afternoon concerts to help the memorial fund grow. TCPO, the nonprofit community organization, also seeks larger contributions to permanently endow the fund to provide dependable financing for the music series that James Parsons helped bring to Todd.
This year’s series is partially supported by a grant from the North Carolina Rural Center’s NC STEP program, of which Todd is a part along with West Jefferson. TCPO applied for the grant through HandMade in America as part of a High Country cluster of communities working together to revitalize and sustain their economies while preserving their cultural and historical roots.
The logistics of having 1,500 people in Todd at one time are challenging but not impossible. A limited amount of parking will be provided in Todd by the youth of South Fork Baptist Church, raising funds for a mission trip. Other parking will be offered in a nearby field with free shuttle service. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets and umbrellas in case of showers. Snacks and drink are available at a tent in Cook Park, as well as from the nearby Todd General Store and Todd Mercantile Bakery. Well-behaved pets are allowed. No alcohol is allowed at the event.
The entire Todd summer music series, and especially Doc’s concert, is very much a community undertaking, involving many hours and days of volunteer work in addition to financial contributions and sponsorships. People are needed to set up tents, park cars, collect tickets, sell food and clean up afterwards. Anyone who can spare a couple of hours to help make the concert a success is invited to email info@toddnc.org or call 336-877-5565. Setup will take place on Friday, August 21.
Tickets to the concert are $15 or $17 for credit card purchases. Children under 12 are admitted free. Only 1,500 tickets are available. In addition to ticket sales, sponsors have come forward, helping to underwrite some of the concert expense and leaving more for the memorial fund.
Purchase tickets at Todd General Store, Todd Mercantile (credit card orders accepted), and RiverGirl Fishing Co. in Todd; the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce in Boone; and Ashe Visitor’s Center and BlueMoon Guitars in West Jefferson. Remaining tickets will be available at the gate. For more information, click to www.toddnc.org or call 336-877-5565.
Want To Go?
Date: Saturday, August 22
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Cook Memorial Park, Todd
Cost: $15 for adults/$17 for credit card orders/Free for kids 12 and under
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