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Early on Tuesday, cloudy skies threatened to derail an exciting start to the Legacy Nights series at Legacy Grove Park.

Fortunately, as the day went on, the clouds turned to blue skies, and with an ideal temperature as the summer concert series got underway.

Dozens throughout Winchester and outside the community gathered to enjoy a night of music and entertainment.

“I want to thank you for supporting us for being here and showing up and also for supporting our sponsors and our food trucks tonight,” said Legacy Greenscapes Executive Director Deborah Jackson as she addressed the crowd. “This event and all six of our concerts for this series are 100% funded by businesses in our community who believe that bringing the arts to Winchester is an important thing to do and is important to our community.”

Not only was Tuesday the opening of the Legacy Nights Series, but it also coincided with Kentucky Gives Day, when donations are provided to nonprofit organizations throughout the state.

Those who donated on Tuesday received a celebratory 2023 t-shirt.

In the end, over $800,000 was raised across the state.

Before the season’s first Legacy Night event began, crowds arrived with many taking advantage of the food trucks that were present and opened thirty minutes before the scheduled concert.

The food trucks included Bell on Wheels, The Wolves Den, and Cookies & Cream.

Many local businesses such as Boonesboro Trail Senior Living, Abettor Brewing and Traditional Bank had booths set up under canopies.

New to the series this year, various Clark County non-profit organizations had booths where attendees could learn more.

Among them was Clark County Community Services, which also had a raffle in which entrants could win prizes.

“It’s important for us to bring our community together,” said Laci Scarboro, Executive Director of Clark County Community Services. “What better way than to sit by our other community partners and people that are in our community?”

The community attending the event included adults such as Lisa Ann Benson, who often attends with friends.

“We started coming out last year, and we just enjoy the different kinds of music, the food, the friendship, and the community,” she said. “It’s good for anybody to come out and see the different styles of music that we can bring to Winchester.”

Brit Reese, originally from Washington state, was also present.

To the enjoyment of many children in the audience, Reese who moved to Winchester in September brought his two pet macaws, Scarlet and Skittles.

“[Legacy Grove Park] has been an amazing park to come to,” Reese said. “I get them out into the community to visit with people. We’re trying to create a business with them…we’re trying to expose them and bring smiles back on people’s faces.”

Of course, the night would only be complete with the advertised live music.

Anna Kline, a songwriter, and member of the band Swift Silver, along with her husband, John Looney, opened the evening.

Immediately afterward, Mojo Thunder took the stage.

Having recently returned from a six-week tour of Europe, each band member is originally from Kentucky.

On their website, they describe their music as a “blend [of] high-energy rock with southern harmony for an engaging sound we’ve dubbed as ‘southern alternative.’”

As such, they played an eclectic yet engaging medley of original songs.

Bryson Willoughby, a guitarist for the band, spent three years living in Winchester.

“Both [of] my grandmas are coming tonight, so I’m very much looking forward to that,” Willoughby said. “We love it.”