Avon Launches Free SunsetLIVE and AvonLIVE Concert Series at Harry A. Nottingham Park

Avon’s Harry A. Nottingham Park just got louder. Two new concert series are taking over the big stage next to the lake this summer, and locals finally have a reason to park their cars and stay for the music.

The Town of Avon is launching SunsetLIVE! on Sunday nights and AvonLIVE! on Wednesday nights. Both are free. Both run through September. The goal is simple: fill the air with live music and draw people to the waterfront.

SunsetLIVE! kicks off Memorial Day weekend and runs until Sept. 6. It happens every Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. The vibe is casual. You bring low-back lawn chairs or a blanket. You sit on the south shore of the lake or on the docks. Some folks even watch from stand-up paddleboards or duckie boats. It’s BYOB. There’s no alcohol sales at SunsetLIVE!, so you pack your own drinks and your own picnic. The music starts at 6 and ends at 8. It’s a wind-down for the weekend.

The lineup features regional acts from Eagle County and beyond. String Creek Band opens the series on May 31. Twang Box follows on June 7. Town Calvary plays June 14. Hand Turkey takes the stage June 21. Knight Groove plays June 28. The Evolution Live comes in July 12. Rhyme and Reason follows on July 19. Hobo Village plays July 26. Kory Montgomery performs Aug. 2. Brian Spotts is up Aug. 9. Big Sleeps plays Aug. 16. Blue Ox Boys take the stage Aug. 23. Cactus Cat plays Aug. 30. Frisco Funk Collective closes the series on Sept. 6.

AvonLIVE! is the heavier hitter. It starts this Wednesday. The town bills it as a weekly concert series featuring national and regional award-winning acts. It takes place at the Avon Pavilion stage. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Music starts at 6 and goes until 9. You get two shows for the price of one. Each night has an opening band and a headliner.

This series is different. Avon brings out food trucks. Hahnewald Bar serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. No outside alcohol is permitted here. You can come straight from work or the trail. You can dance. You can sing along. Low-back chairs and blankets are welcome. Picnics are fine too.

The AvonLIVE! schedule is stacked. The Original Wailers open on June 10, with the O’Connor Brothers Band as the opener. Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe plays June 17, preceded by Whirled Peas. HeartByrne, a David Byrne tribute act, takes the stage June 24, with The Chaotic opening. Forever Dangerous, a Michael Jackson tribute, performs July 8, with the Beau Thomas Band opening. Fantastic Cat plays July 15, with Sway Wild opening. An Evening with Dogs in a Pile plays July 22. The Rumble performs July 29, with the Frisco Funk Collective opening.

The park itself is a draw. It has a playground. It has paddle boat rentals. It has standup paddle board rentals. It has volleyball courts. It has grills. It has a walking path. And it has great views of Beaver Creek. The stage sits right next to the lake.

This isn’t just background noise. This is a programmed effort to activate the space. The town is using music to drive foot traffic to the pavilion and the surrounding amenities. It’s an investment in community engagement, packaged as entertainment.

The short version: You don’t need a ticket. You don’t need to spend much money. You just need to show up. Bring a chair. Bring a drink. Watch the sunset or watch the band. The music is free. The view is free. The only thing you’re paying for is your time.

The question is whether the crowd will fill the docks or just sit on the grass. The bands are ready. The stage is set. The town is waiting.