Smash Mouth Headlining Beaumont Concert Wednesday: 'One Night, One Band, One Great Venue'

BEAUMONT, CA — Beaumont residents will again be treated to a summer concert this year with a well-known band, after the last series was held in 2015. Smash Mouth is slated to perform at Stewart Park on Wednesday, Aug. 2 at 8 p.m.

The 'Summer Concert Series' had become a staple of the Beaumont community, running for 10 years straight and bringing the likes of LeAnn Rimes, Kenny Rogers and Rick Springfield to town. Residents from across Riverside County and beyond would flock to town for the free shows; normally there were four main acts spread across four summer weeks after July 4. However, those shows ended after the 2015 season, following the public revelation of the city's financial woes and an FBI raid on city hall.

Unlike those concerts, though, this year's event will cost attendees $5. Pre-sale tickets will be available beginning July 3 at the Chatigny Center and at City Hall.

"Two years ago, when it became widely accepted that Beaumont was in financial trouble, it was necessary to cancel the 'free' summer concert series," Mayor Lloyd White tells Patch. "This saved the City more than $300,000 annually."

A Beaumont city staff report indicates that the fiscal impact of the Smash Mouth show will be "not to exceed $70,000," which "can likely" be covered through the gate fee and vendors' fee.

White says the concerts helped bring the community together and showcased Stewart Park. By charging an entrance fee this year, the city is hopeful the program may eventually be able to continue.

"We recognized the value the concerts brought to our City and we hope to bring back the summer series but we must be responsible and the concerts need to be revenue neutral," he says. "This will be the first time the City will be charging an entrance fee for a concert so we need to book a quality band worthy of a $5 ticket price."

"If we can pull this off revenue neutral, it increases the likelihood the summer concert series will return to Beaumont," he says.

As for the Smash Mouth show on Aug. 2, attendees can get into Stewart Park as early as 3 p.m. for presale pass holders, and as early as 4 p.m. if purchasing at the gate. The entrance will be on 9th Street only.

Once again, attendees can bring their lawn chairs and blankets to watch the live entertainment. Organizers say there will also be food trucks and vendors on site.

Those interested in reserving a vendor spot are asked to call 951-769-8524.

Image via City of Beaumont