News Release
October 18, 2009
Community helps Concordstock win state-wide recognition
When thousands of local residents arrived in downtown Concord with their guitars on July 1, 2008 to break the Guinness Book World Record for largest guitar ensemble, they couldn't have known that their enthusiastic participation would result in Concord winning a state-wide award more than a year later.
Concord has received the California Downtown Association's (CDA) prestigious Crystal Eagle Achievement Award for 2009. The award was presented at the annual CDA conference in September. Only four projects in the state were recognized.
The Guinness Book night was part of the summer-long Concordstock project, which celebrated 20 years of music in downtown Concord. The event drew 2,052 registered guitarists to Todos Santos Plaza plus several thousand families and friends who joined Country Joe McDonald in playing their way into the records book with a rousing rendition of the Woody Guthrie classic "This Land is Your Land."
The CDA also recognized the companion Concordstock guitar sculpture project, sponsored by the Todos Santos Business Association. Local artists painted 27 three-foot guitar sculptures that were displayed in downtown stores as part of the 20th anniversary celebration. The sculptures were auctioned off for charity.
"Concordstock drew attention to downtown Concord's successful music program, increased traffic to local shops and restaurants, and put us in the records book," said Downtown Program Manager Florence Weiss. "We are very proud of our community for turning out to make this happen. We also noticed increased attendance at our music program this summer as a result of Concordstock."
The purpose of the CDA's Crystal Eagle Achievement Award is to recognize the outstanding efforts put forth by city agencies, downtown organizations and business improvement districts in response to the challenges of business district development, management, and revitalization.
For more information, contact Weiss at (925) 671-3403.