HUGE CROWD: Legendary rocker Jimmy Barnes (far right) pumps out a song to an appreciative crowd at Harry Sawkins Park as part of the inaugural Red Hot Summer Tour concert on Sunday.
MORE than 2800 people packed into Nowra’s Harry Sawkins Park on Sunday for an afternoon of Aussie rock.
The Red Hot Summer Tour concert featured some big names including Dragon, Ian Moss, the Baby Animals, Chocolate Starfish and rock legend Jimmy Barnes.
The large crowd was treated to a great afternoon of entertainment, which started at 12.40pm and wrapped up at 7pm.
Barnsey in particular had people on their feet with a set that included a number of his classic hits from his Cold Chisel days.
It was the biggest outdoor concert to be held at Harry Sawkins Park, which up until now has mainly been used for Carols By Candlelight and other community events.
Program manager for the major sponsor, local radio station 2ST, Nick Lowther said he was delighted with the concert’s success.
“It was an excellent event, well planned and well executed, exactly what Nowra needs,” he said.
“Nowra is a perfect venue for these kinds of events being so central in the Shoalhaven.
“We have received nothing but high praise and there are already plans for another concert next year.
“It proved even a venue like Harry Sawkins Park can be home to a major concert if well managed.”
Mr Lowther said one of the most pleasing aspects of the event was “the real family feel”.
“There was a huge cross-section of ages. It was just a great family friendly day, despite the warm weather,”
he said.
“Traditionally to see a line-up
like this you would have to go to a major Sydney concert or a big licensed venue.
“I would expect even bigger numbers next year.
“And perhaps that is a big wake-up call for council – with a number of these events now available and I can see it only getting bigger – that maybe it is time to start planning ahead for bigger venues.
“It’s great for the area to be able to attract big concert events like this, the Red Hot Summer Tour and other travelling shows like Day on the Green.
“Hopefully Nowra has captured organisers’ imaginations and they will see it as a great place to stage these events.
“It would be fantastic to be able to stage similar events for younger crowds as well.”
Police said the crowd at Sunday’s concert was well behaved and there were no major incidents.
“It was a good concert and a good crowd and we had no problems to speak of,” said Nowra Police Inspector John Behrendt.
