The annual fundraiser for Colony Days, Tent City After Dark, will be bigger and better than ever, featuring Carolina Story. The concert will happen in Tent City, which will be set up in Sunken Gardens, on Friday, Oct. 5 starting at 4:30 p.m.
The event has historically been held the Saturday evening of the Colony Days celebration for event goers to get another view of the historic Tent City once the sun went down. The event will begin at 4:30 p.m. with food trucks and beer from Firestone Walker and Dead Oak Brewing Company and wine from Cordant Nelle Winery, and will continue well into the night.
Returning for the third year of Tent City After Dark, Toro Creek Ramblers take the stage to open the evening with tunes from 4:30 to 5 p.m., followed by a 5-lb Burger Eating Contest hosted by Sylvester’s Burgers.
The main music event will begin at 6 p.m. with Wood, a 5-man band out of San Luis Obispo. Local favorites Hilary & Kate take the stage after Wood, and the headliner Carolina Story coming in from Nashville, Tennessee and playing from 8:30 p.m.

“Tent City After Dark is an amazing combination of good music and an incredible setting,” Colony Days chairwoman Karen McNamara said. “Once the sun sets, the tents and hanging lanterns glow as they did in the original Tent City.  It is truly something that can only be experienced at our event. There will be lots of food and drink vendors, plenty of room to dance to a high-quality concert and a moderate late summer evening. We believe the move to Friday night will bring a stellar kick-off of the celebration of our community.”
This year, Tent City After Dark will kick off the Colony Days celebration, giving a preview of the tents along with live folk and country music. Advanced tickets are $35 each and include one beverage. Tickets purchased at the event are $40 each. VIP sponsorship tables of eight are $500 and include 10 drink tickets, a platter of tacos for the table and personal table service for the entire evening.
“I can’t wait to see this event grow into one of our community’s premiere evenings of entertainment,” Tent City After Dark committee member said. “Tent City After Dark will bring our community together to celebrate the history of Atascadero in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.”
For those attending the home football game that night, admission after 8 p.m. will be $10 per person with a hand stamp from the football game. As of press time, the musical lineup had not been finalized. To purchase tickets or find out who’s playing, visit ColonyDays.org.