James Barker Band Will Kick Off Canada Day Weekend at Riverside March 7, 2024 Regional JAMES RIVER, NS – Nashville recording artist James Barker Band will headline the inaugural Country Rocks Riverside concert at Riverside International Speedway on Friday, June 28. The show will kick off a huge Canada Day long weekend jam-packed with high-energy and high-octane entertainment. With the concert on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will see on-track action featuring the NASCAR Canada Series, East Coast International Pro Stock Tour, and Hot Rod Classics Vintage Race Series. The festivities will conclude Sunday evening with a spectacular Canada Day Eve fireworks display. The James Barker Band has seen a meteoric rise over the last decade since starting in their hometown of Woodville, Ontario playing local bars and supporting acts at festivals – to charting multiple No. 1 singles and hundreds of millions of global streams – to now continuing their ascent based in Nashville (TN), headlining festivals and playing stages across North America. On February 27 they made their debut on the most-renowned country music stage in the world – the Grand Ole Opry. It’s been a big year for James Barker Band already as they are also nominated for Country Band of the Year in the 2024 Juno Awards. “Canada Day Weekend always feels like the unofficial kick-off to summer so we fully plan on this being a party!” said James Barker. “It’s always so much fun when we come to the Maritimes and honestly, what two things go better together than Country Music and NASCAR!!?” “We’re excited to bring another major event to Riverside,” said Joan Roué, manager. “It showcases our facility as we celebrate our 55th anniversary this year and will benefit the region as well. That weekend will see one of Canada’s top country bands with James Barker Band, Canada’s only national touring series with NASCAR Canada Series, the region’s only Maritime pro stock/super late model stock car racing series with the East Coast International Pro Stock Tour, and the region’s only vintage race car series with the Hot Rod Classics. Our goal is for Riverside to become a destination for the Canada Day long weekend this year and for years to come, and we’re excited to see it unfold.” Hits for the James Barker Band include their record-setting GOLD-certified “New Old Trucks,” “Wastin’ Whiskey,” “Over All Over Again,” “There’s A Drink For That,” “Just Sayin’,” “It’s Working,” “Lawn Chair Lazy,” “Good Together,” and “Summertime,” as well as Platinum-certified songs “Keep it Simple,” and “Chills.” Most recently the self-proclaimed “band of brothers from different mothers” has unveiled their six-track label debut EP, Ahead Of Our Time, out now. James Barker Band’s dedication to their craft and undeniable charisma have been the driving force behind their climb to stardom and are stronger than ever as they continue to blaze trails worldwide – and all the while remaining grounded in their small-town roots. Special guests Eddie Cummings and Merimac will open the Country Rocks Riverside show for James Barker Band. Cummings hails from Mabou and is well-known for his country rock style. Merimac is based in Halifax and one of the region’s top cover bands – they’ll do a high-energy selection of traditional and country tunes to get the crowd revved up for James Barker Band. The show starts at 7 p.m. with Eddie Cummings followed by Merimac and then James Barker Band. The Riverside facility will be transformed into a concert-style stadium on June 28 with the stage on the front stretch and reserved seating in the main grandstand; a limited number of front-of-stage tickets will also be available. The concert is an all-ages event with age restrictions in place for licensed and front-of-stage areas. Once the show ends, crews will work overnight to prepare for racing on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets and camping reservations for June 28-30 will be available later in March. Fans who sign up for the pre-sale waitlist (www.riversidespeedway.ca) will be notified in advance AND have a chance to WIN weekend tickets for two. Complete details including seating maps, admission, and more for all three days can be found at www.riversidespeedway.ca. Camping is available on-site for hundreds of RVs; the campgrounds are open from Thursday, June 27 to Monday, July 1. Spectator parking for personal vehicles is free. The Pit Stop canteen will be open all three days featuring $2 hot dogs along with several other hot and cold food and beverages. Advertising and sponsorship opportunities are available for this event, either specific to the event or as part of a seasonal sponsor package. For information please email info@riversidespeedway.ca. Riverside International Speedway is celebrating its 55th anniversary in 2024 with a spectacular season. It kicks off June 1 with the All Star Monster Truck Tour (tickets on sale now), followed by the Canada Day Weekend Show (June 28-30), the IWK 250 Super Race Weekend (July 17-20), the Summer Sizzler (August 17), and the Back to School Spectacular (September 7). The diverse schedule includes monster trucks and motocross plus stock car racing featuring NASCAR, pro stock/super late model, sportsman, vintage, street stock, mini stock, and legends – with more TBA. Details for each event are available at www.riversidespeedway.ca. Riverside Speedway opened in 1969 under the helm of Antigonish businessman John “Nova” Chisholm. It was sold in 1989 and bought back by Mr. Chisholm late in 2005, rebuilt in 2006 and rebranded Riverside International Speedway. For 55 years, the popular 1/3-mile high-banked asphalt oval has provided generations of race fans with some of the best stock car racing entertainment in North America. About Riverside International Speedway In 2024 Riverside International Speedway is celebrating 55 years as a premiere stock racing facility in Canada. The 1/3-mile high-banked asphalt oval roars to action several times a year for special events. It is the largest outdoor entertainment venue in eastern Canada and the home of the IWK 250 – widely known throughout North America as a “bucket list” event for racers and fans alike. Located in James River, between New Glasgow and Antigonish, the facility is easily accessible at exit 30 on Trans-Canada Highway 104. For more information, please visit www.riversidespeedway.ca or call 902-863-2410 (May to September) or 902-404-7049 (October to April).
