Farm's Free Summer Concerts End Season on High Note

If you haven't been to a Tuesday night concert at Sweet Berry Farm this summer, you've got one chance left before missing out on one of the best tickets in town, which also happens to be free of charge.

Weather permitting, the final show of the summer season is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 5:30 pm on the farm lawn featuring the Honky-Tonk Knights' blend of rockabilly blues, paired with an optional specially prepared Oktoberfest menu.

Joannah Daley of Newport has attended the farm's concerts all summer.

"The Sweet Berry concerts are by far my favorite events of the summer," said Daley at last's week's rain-postponed show featuring the Bluegrass Invitation Band. "There's nothing better than relaxing with good music and good food in a beautiful setting. Even my two-year-old daughter, who doesn't know the days of the week yet, knows that Tuesday means Sweet Berry!"

All summer, hundreds of people have gathered on Tuesday nights on the café lawn to listen to an eclectic mix of music from local acts and bands, as well as dine on special themed menu offerings. (Guests are also welcome to bring their own picnics.)

With one show to go, recent weather delays haven't added stress for owner Michelle Eckert. She said recently, perhaps as only a farmer can, "The beauty of it is there is nothing we can do about weather so there is no reason to worry about it."

Last week's concert, twice postponed due to rain, finally went off without a hitch Thursday night to the tunes of the Bluegrass Invitation Band of Tiverton, paired with an Asian-inspired meal of hot and sour soup, dim sum duo, peanut or ginger garlic noodles, beef teriyaki, sesame chicken, and tropical rice pudding.

Thursday's concert attendance was a bit smaller than others due to the postponement, but those who made it seemed to be having just as good of a time as any other night. 

Owners are happy to report the season has been great, not only for the community, but for how good business has been at the farm because of the weekly free event.

"It's made what was once a slow day into a 'weekend day' and it's been fun," said Eckert.

The concerts also seem to have been bringing together many of the farm's regular customers on a regular basis. Eckert said she sees "a lot of the same regulars and a lot of neighbors."

The different bands have also given Sweet Berry Farm new exposure outside its regular customer base, a form of agro-tourism. With the recent Bluegrass Invitation Band's performance, the farm welcomed the arrival of fans from Tiverton who might not have previously known about the farm.

While the thought of serving meals for so many people was once daunting, Eckert said they've got a smooth system now, even after selling out of meals on several nights. "It's been a fantastic season and virtually stress free."

Sweet Berry Farm's final concert of the 2010 season is scheduled for Tuesday, August 31 at 5:30 pm and will feature the Honky-Tonk Knights' blend of rockabilly honky-tonk blues along with a specially prepared Oktoberfest menu.

For more information, visit www.sweetberryfarmri.com.