The final concert in the 2023 Bridge Street LIVE series scheduled for Thursday was canceled on Monday after Visit Hot Springs received notice of an extreme heat forecast.
With the forecast calling for a high temperature of 106 degrees, factoring in the possible heat index could bring the temperature up as high as 120, VHS Marketing Director Bill Solleder told The Sentinel-Record.
"Just thinking about not only all the people who would be coming out to the show, but the performers themselves, and it being a strenuous activity to perform live on stage -- plus, we had some break dancers scheduled, (and) it just wouldn't be healthy for them to be performing like that," Solleder said.
"Not to mention the vendors and not just the food vendors, but all the arts and crafts and retail vendors. It just didn't seem like a very one, safe and two, pleasant and fun environment to be out in the heat, that extreme heat."
Three acts were scheduled, including Big Piph, Sean Fresh and the Breaking Habits Crew out of northwest Arkansas.
"Hopefully, we'll find the next opportunity to bring all those artists back in the future," Solleder said.
While any outdoor activities such as hiking should be planned for the earlier part of the day on Thursday, some other plans Solleder suggested for those who were planning to attend the show include visiting the lakes, Magic Springs Theme and Water Park or the indoor and air-conditioned Mid-America Science Museum.
The Bridge Street LIVE series, which was created in 2021, features free entrance to live music, vendors with food, drinks and retail items as well as games in the Bridge Street Entertainment District at the intersection of Bridge Street, Convention Boulevard, Broadway Street and Malvern Avenue.
The 2024 series is already in the planning process, Solleder said in the release. On Wednesday, Sept. 6, there will be another Bridge Street LIVE event taking place in conjunction with the Pan American Bass World Championship, he said, as well as another Halloween-themed Bridge Street LIVE event on Friday, Oct. 27.