Matthews welcomes back outdoor concert series

MATTHEWS, N.C. — A popular outdoor concert series has returned to Stumptown Park in Matthews, but not without some restrictions.

Lee Anne Moore and her team at Parks and Recreation have been hard at work preparing for Friday’s show with the Band of Oz.

“2020 was a crazy year for us. We missed everyone,” she said. “We immediately went to zero events and it was just kind of catastrophic for us.”

Moore said it will take some time to get back to the way things were before the pandemic, however.

Masks are still required in large groups outside, and capacity limits are still in place.

That’s why Moore is using a “pod system” where families must sit in 8-foot spray-painted circles that have been placed spaced 6 feet apart.

Moore spent countless hours figuring out exact placement and spacing so people can again enjoy concerts like this one.

“It was a little complicated. There was a little math in the beginning, but it’s worked out well,” she said.

The capacity limit at Stumptown Park is 350 people under current restrictions, but organizers hope when the next round of relaxed rules go into effect, the capacity limit will be removed.

Tickets are also required, and go on sale two weeks prior to each concert.

“Before each concert, we come out, we repaint the pods, we number the pods, we make sure everything looks great and get ready for everyone,” she said.

“It’s just great to see it, see the park full.”

Additional concerts are planned throughout the summer.

For more information on the concert series, click here.

(WATCH: Eased restrictions mean many NC music venues can reopen for concerts)

Eased restrictions mean many NC music venues can reopen for concerts

Cox Media Group