Friday Night Live! Marks Historic Milestone with 500th Scheduled Show on September 4
The DC area's most popular free outdoor concert series reaches a remarkable milestone this week as Friday Night Live! prepares for its 500th scheduled show on Friday, September 4 on the Herndon Town Green. Taking place during its 32nd season, this landmark event highlights the impressive longevity and community impact of the series, which is produced by the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Created as an economic development initiative to bring visitors to Downtown Herndon, Friday Night Live! has grown into a beloved local tradition and a cornerstone of the downtown business community.
"Reaching 500 shows is a massive achievement that speaks to the dedication of our volunteers, the generous support of our local sponsors, and the incredible loyalty of our community," said Laura B. Poindexter, Chairman of Friday Night Live! "For 32 seasons, this concert series has not only brought people together for great music, but it has also driven steady foot traffic to our downtown merchants and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local community organizations. It takes over 90 volunteers every single Friday night to pull this off, and I am incredibly proud to lead such a dedicated team."
"When we started Friday Night Live! in 1995, I never imagined we would one day celebrate our 500th show. What began as an idea to bring neighbors together has grown into a lasting Herndon tradition. I'm incredibly proud of what our volunteers have built and what it has become, and I am grateful to our sponsors, Town officials, local businesses, and generations of families who have supported it over the years. Reaching this milestone is a remarkable achievement for the entire community," said Doug Downer, founder of Friday Night Live!
"Having attended Friday Night Live! over the past couple of decades, it has been a pleasure to immerse myself in the energy of downtown Herndon. Transitioning from an attendee to a sponsor, my appreciation for the work behind the scenes continues to grow. Today, as Chair of the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce, I see firsthand the essential role this series plays in our Town's history, our local economy, and the strong community connections fostered here every Friday," said David Hillelsohn, Chairman of the Board of the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to driving foot traffic to downtown businesses, Friday Night Live! serves as a vital fundraising engine for the region. Proceeds from the event directly support the programs of the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The concert series also provides significant on-site fundraising opportunities for community groups through the popcorn booth, glow stick sales, and the donation of alcohol tip proceeds to local organizations. To date, Friday Night Live! has contributed over $425,000 to area organizations, including:
- Herndon High School All Night Grad Party
- Herndon Optimist Club
- Herndon Woman's Club
- Herndon Sports Boosters
- Local Herndon-area PTAs
On Friday, concessions open at 6:00 p.m., with the popular band Shake the Room taking the stage at 6:30 p.m. Attendees can enjoy food from local restaurants along with a variety of beer and wine available for purchase.
The Herndon Town Green is located behind the Municipal Building at 777 Lynn Street in Historic Downtown Herndon, VA, adjacent to the W&OD Trail and the Herndon Fortnightly Library. For details on the 500th show and the full season schedule, visit www.herndonrocks.com.
Photos copyright Laura B. Poindexter. Used with permission.