WBTV is celebrating their 60^th Anniversary and will be touring the area doing live news broadcasts.  Union Square is the first stop on the list!  Come out and join them on Friday July 24, the first 100 people will receive free tee shirts and a piece of cake.

Beginning at 5:30 p.m., WBTV will broadcast the news live from Union Square in Downtown Hickory.  During and after the broadcast, as a Hickory Alive!  special event, the Pan Jive Band will play as an opening band for Johnny on the Spot.

The Pan Jive Band is a local favorite.  Pan Jive has been in existence since 1998 under the direction of Rick Cline.  Known originally as a community program, the group has evolved into a professional, working ensemble that performs all over the western half of North Carolina.  Performing for dozens of elementary and middle schools per year, and audiences of more than 1000, Pan Jive is a high energy, versatile combo.  You will enjoy the diversity of their musical selections, from traditional to modern arrangements.  The City of Hickory is proud to call “Pan Jive” their own steel drum band.  Members include Rick Cline, Emily Fox, Christa O’Hare, Laura Greene, Katelyn Reinhardt and Matt Decker.

Johnny on the Spot will take the stage on at 8:00 p.m. for Hickory Alive.  Members Richard Mosteller, Matt Grulick and Dave Smith will play their new and classic rock music from Green Day, The Clash, Foo Fighters, Cracker, U2, Drivin N Cryin, The Who and many more.  Members of the band have been playing live music together in Hickory for nearly fifteen years.  Their relaxed approach and diverse song selection is always a crowd pleaser.

WBTV will be broadcasting the 5:30 p.m. show live from Main Street Live in downtown Rock Hill in York County on Thursday August 6, the 5:30 p.m. show live from Matthews Alive in Mecklenburg County on Friday September 4 and the Noon show live at Appalachian State University Homecoming on Friday October 9.  The first 100 people at each location will receive free tee shirts.

For more information on The Hickory Downtown Development Association, membership, businesses, events and downtown Hickory, please call 828 322 1121 or email info@downtownhickory.com. Please visit the website, www.downtownhickory.com.