Story by Jerry Woods
More than 5,000 dancing fans helped WGTS 91.9 wrap up the “Summer Concert Series” with a bang. Tysons Corner Center Mall helped to host the concert on their large, outdoor plaza which connects three tall buildings to the mall. The venue attracts not only fans of the radio station and the concert but also local shoppers and people who live in the adjoining buildings.
The event started a little bumpy when 25-mile-an-hour winds whipped up and it started raining sideways just 30 minutes before the show. However, by the time the show started things had started to clear up and concert-goers enjoyed a gorgeous sunset as the band Sidewalk Prophets sang their signature hit “Come to the Table.”
Listeners all enjoyed free ice-cream from the station as this final concert also coincided with the station's summer-long "ice cream tour." Johnny and Stacey Stone also did their show live from the plaza before the concert, but their show was cut short by the thunderstorm.
Part of the heart of WGTS' ministry is to make sure there is a community service element to most events. For this event, listeners purchased backpacks to donate to underprivileged kids through the Salvation Army. By the end of the night, listeners had filled a large box truck with new backpacks and school supplies. In addition, a group of 15 young ladies were given the VIP treatment at the concert. These teenagers are staying with "Youth for Tomorrow" after being separated from their parents at the border. This was a chance for them to do something fun and to take their minds off of their problems for just a couple of hours.
"It was really cool to see the fans devotion to sticking out some nasty weather. In the end, it turned into a beautiful evening. I'm always amazed at how committed our fans and how much they love the music,” says WGTS Music Director Rob Conway. “It felt like a really cool church service with people of all backgrounds coming together to sing, dance and just praise in the public square.”
This year marks the third season of the WGTS 91.9 Summer Concert Series which has grown each year. The goal is to create a fun event for existing listeners as well as to introduce the general public to positive entertainment and an opportunity to give back to our local community.