ArtistDirect News
Music in the Woods Returns to Paris Mountain State Park After Hurricane Helene-Damaged Stage Rebuilt
After a two‑year silence, Music in the Woods opened its doors on September 11, the first show featuring Darby Wilcox. The fall series of free outdoor concerts has resumed at Paris Mountain State Park and will run through October 31, offering a full slate of local talent in a newly built amphitheater that is four times larger than the original and powered by solar panels with battery storage.
The stage that now hosts the series was erected in 1939 as part of a New Deal program carried out by the Civilian Conservation Corps. For more than eight decades, the 1,540‑acre park’s CCC‑built structure welcomed generations of musicians and listeners. The 2025 season was cancelled after Hurricane Helene destroyed the venue, cutting short a tradition that had become a cultural touchstone for the Greenville area.
Hurricane Helene, one of the most powerful storms to hit the Carolinas, struck in late September 2024. High winds and flooding lifted the stage from its foundations, while a tree snapped through the roof, shattering part of the structure. Park manager Emily Nicholson said the park was closed for a month and that vehicles could not pass the admissions booth for the first week after the storm.
Rebuilding the stage was a community effort. Friends of Paris Mountain, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, organized fundraising and coordinated donated labor. The Metropolitan Arts Council’s $25,000 grant covered the bulk of the cost, allowing the new stage to be four times the size of the original and to incorporate solar panels and battery storage. The upgraded venue now supports additional programming, such as movie nights, and can operate year‑round.
Friends of Paris Mountain fundraising chair Sam Morris said the project reflects the park’s mission to serve all visitors. "Music in the Woods is an extension of that," Morris told reporters. "It's just come one, come all, and I think it's a very welcoming environment."
The upcoming lineup showcases local musicians and ensembles: September 12 – Brooke Ashton; September 19 – Lee Hewitt; September 25 – Taylor Corum; October 3 – Greenville Symphony; October 10 – Vilai Harrington; October 17 – Wilder Things Than Us; October 24 – Benny Hagerty; and October 31 – Darby and Friends.
The return of Music in the Woods marks a significant moment for both the park and the Greenville community. The new stage’s solar power capability expands the park’s capacity for year‑round programming, while the series continues to offer free concerts after the standard admission fee. The event series is scheduled to conclude on October 31, after which the park will evaluate future programming.
The series’ revival demonstrates the resilience of local cultural initiatives and the effectiveness of community‑driven restoration projects. With the new stage in place, Paris Mountain State Park is poised to host a full season of music, film, and other outdoor events, reaffirming its role as a public gathering space for the region.
The stage that now hosts the series was erected in 1939 as part of a New Deal program carried out by the Civilian Conservation Corps. For more than eight decades, the 1,540‑acre park’s CCC‑built structure welcomed generations of musicians and listeners. The 2025 season was cancelled after Hurricane Helene destroyed the venue, cutting short a tradition that had become a cultural touchstone for the Greenville area.
Hurricane Helene, one of the most powerful storms to hit the Carolinas, struck in late September 2024. High winds and flooding lifted the stage from its foundations, while a tree snapped through the roof, shattering part of the structure. Park manager Emily Nicholson said the park was closed for a month and that vehicles could not pass the admissions booth for the first week after the storm.
Rebuilding the stage was a community effort. Friends of Paris Mountain, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, organized fundraising and coordinated donated labor. The Metropolitan Arts Council’s $25,000 grant covered the bulk of the cost, allowing the new stage to be four times the size of the original and to incorporate solar panels and battery storage. The upgraded venue now supports additional programming, such as movie nights, and can operate year‑round.
Friends of Paris Mountain fundraising chair Sam Morris said the project reflects the park’s mission to serve all visitors. "Music in the Woods is an extension of that," Morris told reporters. "It's just come one, come all, and I think it's a very welcoming environment."
The upcoming lineup showcases local musicians and ensembles: September 12 – Brooke Ashton; September 19 – Lee Hewitt; September 25 – Taylor Corum; October 3 – Greenville Symphony; October 10 – Vilai Harrington; October 17 – Wilder Things Than Us; October 24 – Benny Hagerty; and October 31 – Darby and Friends.
The return of Music in the Woods marks a significant moment for both the park and the Greenville community. The new stage’s solar power capability expands the park’s capacity for year‑round programming, while the series continues to offer free concerts after the standard admission fee. The event series is scheduled to conclude on October 31, after which the park will evaluate future programming.
The series’ revival demonstrates the resilience of local cultural initiatives and the effectiveness of community‑driven restoration projects. With the new stage in place, Paris Mountain State Park is poised to host a full season of music, film, and other outdoor events, reaffirming its role as a public gathering space for the region.