Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1530620
36 maconmagazine.com | December 2024/January 2025 "We knew this would be a game-changer," said Mayor Miller. "But seeing it, and being at every show and event myself watching people have fun, that is something that I can't quite put into words." More than 80,000 people have stepped foot into the Amphitheater and experienced concerts featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZTop, Anthony Hamilton, Jason Aldean, Riley Green, and more. The amp team has been dabbling in other events as well, putting the space to use as a community hub. As Halloween came near this fall, there was a free "Trucks and Treats" event featuring fire trucks and school buses for kids to explore alongside getting candy in costume. A watch party for the University of Georgia Bulldogs was a way for people to come together during football season. More of these public events with free gate admission are to come, serving local residents. But beyond bringing entertainment to Maconites, this project brings outsiders to Macon like never before. "The Atrium Health Amphitheater became a Macon tourism anchor from its opening," said Gary Wheat, President/CEO of Visit Macon. "We can attribute significant visitation and hotel stays to the performance of the amphitheater and its shows." During the two sold-out concerts during the season, Koe Wetzel and Jason Aldean, it was reported that nearly all hotel rooms in Macon-Bibb were sold out. This spills over into dollars being put in local businesses all over town, whether it's a pre-concert dinner in Downtown Macon or grabbing gas and snacks before one hits the road. Since the first concert just nine months ago, "We knew this would be a game-changer. But seeing it, and being at every show and event myself watching people have fun, that is something that I can't quite put into words." LEFT Mayor Lester Miller and family enjoy a concert in one of the new VIP suites. RIGHT Lynyrd Skynyrd christens the amp with a Southern rock concert - one of Macon's signature genres. BELOW LEFT Patrons enter into the main seating area in the brand new structure, which boasts the second largest amphitheater capacity in the state.