Summer is ending and one sign of that is the start of the Blue Ridge Community Farm Fall Concert Series. This is a fabulous concert series that happens on the beautiful hillside outdoor concert stage in the Blue Ridge Community Farm.
I could sit here and try and describe what a fabulous and wondrous event these outside concerts are, but I’d rather take you to the very first show of the 2025 series that happened last Sunday!
Come on, let’s go! Oh, okay, go ahead and go to the bathroom, but make it quick, we don’t want to miss a moment of this series kickoff show!
Here we are at Blue Ridge Community Farm in Chillicothe. This is such a beautiful place!
The concert takes place on this massive hill and there’s vendors up on top of it selling all kinds of fun and interesting items!
There’s the stage at the bottom of the hill and this is where all the music happens today! I can’t wait!
Here’s the owners of Blue Ridge Community Farm, Jim and Laura! They said they’ve been busy with the farm and their other activities, but they’re super excited to start this concert series which will last until the middle of October!
Always great to see them, they are such a friendly and nice couple!
Here’s the host of the concert series, Sarah Marie Dillard with Laura!
Sarah is one of Peoria’s most active and influential musicians. This is a special edition of her weekly “Listening Room” open mic shows which usually happens on Tuesday evenings at various locations, follow her facecrack page for updates.
Sarah also plays solo gigs, shows with her band, Sarah & The Underground, she’s the founder of Peoria Music Community Women's Co-op, she’s the Entertainment Consultant at 3300 Event Center and the Worship Coordinator at Third Chance Bar & Lounge.
And now, ladies and gentlemen…
It’s showtime at Blue Ridge Community Farm!
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Your Host For The Afternoon: Sarah Marie Dillard
Sarah opened the show with an entertaining set of her fantastic original tunes!
I love this photo, I tried to sneak up onstage to take a photo without Sarah seeing me and she turned around with a smile that says, “Gotcha!”
The crowd loved Sarah’s set and we’re off to a wonderful start on this Sunday afternoon!
As you can see, the stage is nicely decorated with bales of hay, pumpkins and roosters!
And now, please welcome, “The Listening Room” musicians!
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Brent Ressler
Brent’s a “Listening Room” regular and he played some wonderful original songs!
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Nicole Montgomery
Another entertaining set of songs performed by Nicole!
It was a warm day to kick off this concert series and these peope took refuge in the shade!
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Augie Diaz
Augie was the youngest performer of the afternoon and he had the crowd in the palm of his hands! Everyone loved his fabulous set of songs!
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Reagan
This was Reagan’s first time performing at a Listening Room show, but you wouldn’t know it from his wonderful and entertaining set of songs!
The sound tent and board are over hear and the sound in this park is fantastic!
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Claire
Claire entertained the crowd with her fabulous set of tunes.
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Kathy Folkulele
Next up was Kathy Folkulele who’s appeared on this blog before and she sounded fabulous, as always! You can follow Kathy on facecrack and you should subscribe to her YouTube page!
There’s Sarah introducing the next Listening Room musician…
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Jessica Deen
Jessica entertained the crowd with a fantastic set of original songs.
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Ava Easter
Ava added more fantastic tunes to this fun, musical afternoon at Blue Ridge Community Farm!
Here’s Sarah introducing the last musical act of the day…
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Max Kamm
Max played a marvelous set of songs and I love coming to these Listening Room shows because it always amazes me of all the fabulous local musicians and songwriters we have here in Peoria.
It’s wonderful of Sarah to put on these weekly “Listening Room” open mic shows to feature all of the talented local musicians here in Peoria!
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Grand Finale By Sarah Marie Dillard
Sarah closed the show and this was such a wonderful and entertaining afternoon!
Thanks to Sarah for hosting this and the future shows this fall and for all she does for the Peoria music community!
This is one of the best concert series in the area and it’s free and a family friendly event. The shows will be happening every Sunday and they go from 2pm to 5pm in the afternoon.
Thanks to Jim and Laura of Blue Ridge Community Farm for making this fun fall concert series happen! And thanks to Sarah Marie Dillard for hosting the series and all of the fine musicians who play and are part of it.
Stop out and experience it yourself, it’s a magical time out here on Blue Ridge Community Farm!
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21529 N. Blue Ridge Road
Chillicothe, Illinois
309-249-2499
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Related Posts: Blue Ridge Community Farm Fall Concert Series 2024 - Hosted By Sarah Marie Dillard.