A free concert is just part of the draw at Little River Canyon National Preserve in Fort Payne, Ala., on Saturday, Aug. 20. Early arrivals will want to take in the scenery, such as Little River Falls.If you go
› What: National Park Service centennial concert.› When: 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20; gates open at 5 p.m. for lawn seating (all times Central).› Where: Little River Canyon Center, 4322 Little River Trail NE (472 Alabama Highway 35 for GPS).› Admission: Free; parking donation requested.› Phone: 256-845-3548.› Website: Search lirinps on Facebook.
To celebrate the founding of the National Park Service 100 years ago this month, Little River Canyon National Preserve in Fort Payne, Ala., will host an outdoor concert party Saturday, Aug. 20.
Set to perform are three North Alabama-based acts: Marc Womack, Them Dirty Roses and Jacob Stiefel & the Truth. The event is presented by the preserve in partnership with the Little River Arts Council and Jacksonville State University Field School.
Concertgoers may wish to arrive early to explore the park, whose namesake river flows for most of its length atop Lookout Mountain. Among the park’s amenities are 23 miles of backcountry trails, hunting, fishing, swimming, picnicking, two waterfalls and an 11-mile scenic drive, with eight overlooks, along Highway 176.
Lawn chairs or blankets are recommended for concert seating. Coolers are welcome, but vendors will be set up on-site too. The park’s gift shop also will be open, and bands will have tables of their merchandise.
About the Acts
* Them Dirty Roses: A Southern rock band formed by four Gadsden, Ala., natives, Them Dirty Roses takes its influences from Lynyrd Skynyrd and Hank Williams. Brothers James Ford (vocals, guitar) and Frank Ford (drums) form the nucleus of the band, rounded out by friends Andrew Davis (guitar) and Ben Crain (bass).
* Marc Womack: This Dekalb County musician writes and performs his own songs, as well as a variety of classic covers. Active in the Northeast Alabama area, he appears frequently as half of the musical duo Robby and Marc with Robby Jordan of Oxford, Ala.
* Jacob Stiefel and the Truth: Fronted by a Fort Payne native, the band plays a Southern mix of country, rock, blues, bluegrass and gospel. Their latest release is “Memphis Sessions.”