Dickey Betts, Marshall Tucker Band to Headline Enfield Town Celebration

From national acts to local bands, there will be plenty of music in the air this weekend during the three days of the Enfield Fourth of July Town Celebration.

Some Southern-fried rockers will be returning to the main stage on the Town Green Saturday night. The Marshall Tucker Band makes its second Enfield appearance at 7 p.m., followed by the third local performance by Dickey Betts and Great Southern at 9:30 p.m.

Despite the untimely deaths of co-founders Toy and Tommy Caldwell in the 1980s, the Marshall Tucker Band has soldiered on behind founding member/lead vocalist Doug Gray. Formed in Spartanburg, S.C. in 1972, the band is best-known for its classic rock anthem "Can't You See" and the Top 20 single "Heard It In a Love Song."

Still going strong at age 67, Dickey Betts is one of the premier guitarists in rock and roll history. He rose to prominence as a member of the Allman Brothers Band, serving as co-lead guitarist with the late Duane Allman. He later wrote the classic instrumental "Jessica", and wrote and sang lead on the band's biggest chart hit, "Ramblin' Man" in 1973. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Allman Brothers in 1995.

"We're excited about the concert lineup this year," Celebration chairman Scott Kaupin said. "There is something for everyone over the course of the weekend. We've had Marshall Tucker and Dickey Betts in the past, so Saturday is Southern rock and roll night. We anticipate huge crowds for that."

Friday's opening night of the festival will begin on the main stage at 5 p.m. with indie rock band Echo & Drake, followed at 7 p.m. by David Foster and the Shaboo All-Stars. Taking the stage at 9:30 p.m. is The Fab Four, the Ultimate Tribute to the Beatles.

"They put on a great show with lights, background video and costume changes, and there is a great buzz about them being here," Kaupin said.

Local singers will get to show their stuff Friday night during Enfield Idol, which kicks off at 9 p.m. in the Teen Zone behind the Higgins School.

Johnny Sixgun, a local rock and roll cover band, will perform Saturday at 4:30 p.m. on the main stage. The annual Battle of the Bands starts at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Teen Zone.

The three-day celebration will wrap up Sunday evening with a performance by the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Carolyn Kaun, at 7:30 p.m., followed by the annual fireworks extravaganza at 9:45 p.m. by "America's First Family of Fireworks", Zambelli Fireworks Internationale.

All musical performances at the Enfield Fourth of July Town Celebration are free of charge.