Clayton DDA Makes Adjustments to Growing Town Square Concert Series

The success of the Clayton Town Square Concert Series has prompted the organizing sponsor, Clayton Downtown Development Association, Inc. (CDDA), to make some adjustments on concert nights.

An average of 1,300 people attended each of the first three concerts this year, and there are three more to go in the series. The next concert is July 21 and features Craig Woolard.

Concert Series Committee Chair, Debbie Romano, said, “We are responding to some of the concerns of our audience as well as some issues that we’ve (CDDA, Inc.) recognized.” She added, “Our goal is to provide a quality experience for concert-goers in downtown Clayton.”

Adjustments include:

• A designated smoking area in the parking lot, which will help keep the area clear of cigarette butts during clean-up and provide a healthier environment for non-smokers.

• Moving and reconfiguring some of the vendors to provide more space for concert goers. For example, DD&J’s Kettle Corn will move to the parking lot, and Venero’s Pizza will be moved back a little bit. The beverage tent will be aligned to run parallel along O’Neil Street and the footprint of the ID/Ticket/Serving tents will be shortened.

• Additional signage reminding concert-goers that alcohol and coolers cannot be brought into Town Square.

“We love the ‘home-town’ feel of the concerts, and have had no problems in the nearly five year history of the concert series,” said CDDA, Inc. President, Richard Rairigh. “But as the audience continues to grow, we want to make sure that record continues.”

The Town of Clayton is the major sponsor of the Concert Series, and the sponsors and proceeds from vendor fees and beverage sales helps defray additional concert costs such as rest facilities, signage, advertising, and security. Additional revenues are used for CDDA programs, services and improvements to downtown.

New street banners, a new website with a dynamic business directory and getting businesses ready for the 2012 NC Main Street Conference in January among the goals of the CDDA this year.

The Clayton Downtown Development Association, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides education and business improvement services in the downtown district, administers incentives for downtown improvements, and organizes several special events, including the Town Square Concert Series, and the Christmas Village & Tree Lighting.

For more information about the Clayton Downtown Development Association, Inc. please visit http://www.downtownclayton.org/ or http://www.townofclaytonnc.org/ or by sending an email to claytondowntown@gmail.com.