By Madelaine Church | OBSERVER Correspondent
The GoldenSky Country Music Festival hit the trail runnin’ for Discovery Park last weekend.
Building on last year’s record attendance of 60,000, GoldenSky, which was originally a two-day event, has now grown to a three-day long lineup in its third year, after the successful AfterShock Festival. GoldenSky featured dozens of dazzling performances and was headlined by superstars Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett, and Luke Bryan.
GoldenSky is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, one of the country’s largest independent music festival productions, in partnership with Visit Sacramento.
“I love the diversity in the lineup we have this year. If you are a fan of music it is worth your time and money,” said Mike Testa, CEO of Visit Sacramento.
GoldenSky featured two main stages, where attendees enjoyed a mix of classic hits, modern favorites, and nostalgic country performances.
Three Black country artists – Tanner Adell, RVSHVD, and Shaboozey – performed on the Jack Daniel’s stage. Building on last year’s success, which included a standout performance by Willie Jones, GoldenSky continues to showcase diversity in country music.
“There are a lot more Black artists that are in the country scene. … It’s always our goal to be as diverse as we can with the pool of artists available,” said Chamie McCurry, Danny Wimmer Presents’ general manager.
Kicking off the weekend full of western festivities, Adell, known for contributing to “BlackBiird”on Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” album, performed a set that featured her top hits “Whiskey Blues,” “Too Easy”, and “Buckle Bunny” on Saturday afternoon.
Taking the stage in her pink cowgirl boots, Adell delivered a red-hot performance that had the crowd buzzing.
Sisters Regina and Francis Thomas, born and raised in Sacramento, attended GoldenSky to see Adell. Before her performance, the Thomas sisters had an exciting opportunity to meet Adell near the stage. Regina got her silver boot coated in glitter signed by Adell in black Sharpie, turning the memory more permanent than the signature itself.
“I love her music; she was sweeter in person than I could ever imagine,” Regina Thomas said.
On Sunday, rising country artist RVSHVD took the stage in the dry heat and delivered a spectacular performance. A couple of hours later, Shaboozey’s fusion of country, hip-hop, and alternative sounds drew in a headliner-worthy crowd. Both artists brought distinct sounds to the festival, drawing festival goers to experience new takes on country music.
Related: RVSHVD: Rising Country Star With Small Town Roots
Beyond The Music
GoldenSky wasn’t just about three days of rootin’-tootin’ performances. It was a full-fledged experience.
Festival goers 21 and over enjoyed the GoldenSky Beer Festival, a “festival within a festival” that showcased more than 150 selections of the best local, regional, and national beers. Adding to the experience, Sacramento Wines offered attendees a taste of their finest wines. GoldenSky also offered a delightful array of western gourmet dishes for food enthusiasts. From mouthwatering barbecue to satisfying vegan alternatives, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
For those looking to dance, attendees scooted their boots to the River City Saloon and Dance Hall. This dance saloon included daily activities such as line dancing, partner two-step lessons, and more.
Beneath Interstate 5, many businesses had vendors and food trucks lined up. That included many Black-owned businesses, including Oak Park Brewery, which participated for the first time.
“It’s overwhelming to see this many people here,” said Oak Park Brewery owner Rodg Little. “Just seeing all the different people, coming together to listen to country music, drink good beer, and eat food.”
Attendees saddled up in style for the weekend, some hunting for a cowboy hat or a bandanna. GoldenSky featured their El Dorado Market in the middle of Discovery Park that featured small and local business vendors from the Central Valley. Meanwhile, sports enthusiasts were found at the Sideline Sports Bars, where they could watch NCAA and NFL games while enjoying a drink.
Next weekend, Visit Sacramento hosts its annual Ironman race Sunday, Oct. 27. The three consecutive events draw attendees from throughout the country, boosting the demand for hotels, rental cars, and local businesses. Testa said hosting such events back to back brought in an estimated $60 million to the city’s economy.
“We want things like [GoldenSky] in Sacramento,” Testa said. “If people want Sacramento to be exciting, we as locals have to support events like this.”