Suwanee Hit Parade Continues Saturday

If you're into music, Suwanee is the place to be Saturday. The Little River Band, which has kept things going since being hitmakers in the 1970s and '80s, plays at Town Center Park at 7 p.m.

And a short distance away on Stonecypher Road, a local bluegrass tradition resumes at the Everett Music Barn at 8 p.m.

Since Town Center Park opened in Suwanee in 2004, the city has been able to regularly snare some notable music acts. Among them: America (2005), Atlanta Rhythm Section (2006) and Billy Joe Royal and the Tams (2007). (The complete list is attached.)

This is the result of Suwanee's philosophy of "energy and creativity" in planning their event schedule, said Lynne DeWilde, the city's public information officer. City officials will seek the "coolest" performers that they can afford, usually people before or after the primes of their careers, and ones who are not regularly performing in nearby communities.

And the city does not mind being "a little weird or edgy" musically, DeWilde said. And having Town Center -- outdoors, not too big or small -- is an added attraction.

This philosophy also resulted in Suwanee hosting the recent "Days Of Our Lives" cast/book tour, which resulted in a turnout of thousands and has organizers thinking of a return trip to the Atlanta area.

Saturday's weather should cooperate, after a stormy, rainy Friday night. Forecast for the evening calls for clear skies and temperature in the 60s.

The memories continue.