Light Up Bank Street to Raise Money for Disaster Relief Efforts

Bank Street in historic downtown Decatur will be closed the last Saturday in June for the community to come together and help families that were affected by the tornado outbreak of April 28^th and 29^th. Live music on two stages and a projection mapping light show that has never before been seen in Decatur will provide hours of entertainment while raising funds for the Morgan-Lawrence Chapter of the American Red Cross.

River City Lights takes place on Saturday, June 28, 2014. The event gets underway at 2 p.m. with music on two stages running until 10 p.m. A DJ stage will be set up in the parking lot of the Old State Bank, and situated in front of the Old State Bank will be the main stage. Music will be ongoing with over a dozen DJ’s and performers representing a broad musical style from acoustic and bluegrass to hard rock and southern rock. Slated to perform on the main stage are Cheryl Llewellyn, Josh Allison, Iron Horse, 5ive O’clock Charlie, Illicit Ties, Rearview Ghost and Stone Senate from Nashville, and DJ’s include Ralph & Louie, Nextakin, Oreo, Tryptone and Scottie G.

The Old State Bank will also serve as a backdrop for a 3D projection mapping for an out-of-this-world light show. 3D projection mapping is a new type of light show that uses a structure, such as the Old State Bank, to create a 3D effect with projectors. The projectors are controlled by an operator using a computer to design different illusions and art on the building. An example of 3D video mapping projection can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0XKmU5hF5s. 

The north Alabama region saw 13 tornadoes from the latest outbreak on April 28-29, 2014, resulting in four deaths and widespread damage across eight counties. These storms removed 300 families from their homes. Entry to River City Lights is with any donation to the Red Cross with proceeds to benefit families affected by the tornadoes.

Festivalgoers are encouraged to bring picnic blankets and lawn chairs. For more information, call Beth McGuire, Community Chapter Executive-Morgan Lawrence Chapter, at 256.353.4891.