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The Casual Zealots perform on Trade Street

 

TRYON—The Town of Tryon came alive on Friday night from 5 to 8 p.m. as businesses extended their hours and the community came together for a free concert sponsored by the Tryon International Film Festival. 

The concert at St. Luke’s Plaza featured a performance by local band the Casual Zealots, comprised of Jim Peterman, Vincent Corda, Tommy Lytle, Ian Herrod, and Robbie Johnson.

The Tryon Downtown Development Association took to Facebook to express solidarity with those affected by Tropical Storm Helene while emphasizing that downtown Tryon is open for business. Despite minimal damage to the downtown area, the association highlighted the importance of community support for small business owners as they recover.

TRIFF Co-founder Beau Menetre said that the free concert was a way to bring the community together.

“We postponed the film festival planned for this weekend (which will now take place November 22 to November 24), but we at TRIFF still wanted to bring a little bit of joy to Tryon and bring the community out for a relaxing night of music. This is the festival’s 10th anniversary, and we are looking to bring the film festival back bigger and better than ever.”

Local artist Becky Hyatt Rickenbaker, who shares space at the 80Six Gallery and attended the event, expressed her gratitude for the community’s resilience.

“There are so many people who did so much,” she said. “It’s nice to have a night where folks can come out and have fun. Tryon comes together in times like these.”

Kevin Parker, owner of the Tryon Coffeehouse, echoed similar sentiments. “It’s wonderful to see so many folks from all over Tryon here tonight. These are the folks that make Tryon such a wonderful place to live and work.”

Several stores and restaurants extended their hours for the event, including Mirrorball Gallery, Brooks Tavern, Tryon Bottle, Buck’s Pizza, Tryon Painters & Sculptors, KD’s Sea Shack, 80SIX Gallery/Becky Hyatt Rickenbaker, Huckleberry’s, The Tryon Coffeehouse, Back Alley Boutique & Bud Bar, Trade Street Diner, Mountain Trail Soap Company, The Nest, and Wild Petunia’s.