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Waterfest celebrates 30 years with big names, steady crowds

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Photo by Jenna Nyberg 

This summer, Waterfest has been celebrating 30 years of rocking out on the Fox River in Oshkosh. With everything from jazz and blues music to pop, rock and R&B, the concert series assures exciting nights of music for all audiences at a beautiful, park-like venue. Performances are still to come from bands like the American Authors, Here Come The Mummies and Hairball!

One of the biggest turnouts of the concert series is expected to be tonight as headliners Andy Grammer and the American Authors take the stage.

Both of these big-namers have had popular hits this summer, such as Andy Grammer’s “Honey I’m Good,” which broke the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June, and the American Authors’ “Go Big or Go Home,” which is from the group’s second album, set to drop in September.

Adding to the excitement of the night is opener Matt McAndrew, who was the runner-up on NBC’s hit TV show, “The Voice.” Waterfest President Mike Dempsey says that all three acts combined are going to make for probably the most crowded night that the Leach Amphitheater has seen so far this summer.

“We’re planning on not allowing chairs because of the anticipated attendance,” Dempsey says. “People can sit on the lawn, but we’re trying to put safety first.”

Dempsey says that out of the seven concert nights that have taken place so far this summer, two of them were impaired by rain — but that didn’t stop the steady number of people who have been coming to Waterfest year after year.

“Even though attendance has been about even with last year, we’re real pleased,” Dempsey says.

The Leach’s gates will open early for tonight’s concerts at 5:30 p.m., with general admission tickets being sold for $20, and, as always, free admission being offered to U.S. Armed Service Veterans and youth under the age of 12. Music will begin at 7 p.m. and food and drinks will be available all night!

Once the 2015 season wraps up on Aug. 27, planning will begin for next summer. According to Dempsey, an official lineup will be put together once artists start announcing their 2016 tours, which is generally sometime between January and April.

Watch for more details on waterfest.org in spring.

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