Summer Music Fest To Rock North Plaza

Looking for something to do this weekend? Look no further than North Plaza—on Saturday, the shopping center will become a live music venue as it plays host to the ninth annual Summer Music Fest.

The festival is the brainchild of who organizes the event each year with help from Continental Realty, the company that manages the center.

"Each year it just gets bigger and better," Higgs said.

Of course there's going to be live music—all day from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.—this year on three stages set up throughout the parking lot; there will be country, blues, pop punk, oldies, and classic rock acts, Higgs said.

A list of some of the bands performing this year can be found at the bottom of this article along with the times they take the stage.

If you'd rather make music than listen to it, the event will also have an American Idol style competition and the winner will get the opportunity to record at All About Music.

This year the event will feature giveaways from North Plaza merchants, including three guitars from All About Music, a Hybrid Mountain Bike donated by KMart, and gift certificates from Safeway, Hobbytown and Bill Bateman's; and that's not even the half of it. Higgs said every merchant in the center is giving something away.

And for the kids, Higgs said, there's a gaming area, pony rides, a moon bounce.

"Where can you go on a Saturday afternoon and get that kind of entertainment," Higgs said. "We've got stuff for kids, live music, thousand of dollars in prizes—and it's all free, that's the best part. With the economy the way it is, this is about giving back to the community."

You read that right—the whole event is open to the public for free.

Will you go to the North Plaza Summer Music Fest? Is there a band you're excited to see? Tell us in the comments.

North Plaza Summer Music Festival Band Line-up

Main Stage

• Rich Collier, a jazz musician, plays with his group from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Wesley Spangler & Whiskey River, which Higgs described as a "country party rock" act, plays from 12:15-1:15 p.m.
• Alive & Kickin, a classic rock band, plays from 1:30-2:30 p.m.
• Tom Haller, an indie folk musician, performs from 2:45-3:45 p.m.
• The Step Brothers, an covers band, performs from 4-4:30 p.m.

Recher Stage

• Silent Tale Band, 10:45-11:30 a.m.
• (Parkville's own!) Swarm the North, 1-1:45 p.m.
• Cecilia Grace, 1:55-2:30 p.m.
• Pretty Little Kennedy Curse, 3:05-3:50
• Daytona Drive By, 4-4:45 p.m.

KMart Stage

• A number of students who take lessons at All About Music will perform hour-long sets throughout the day.