August 3 celebrates Back Street Wallace with music festival: Annual event benefits Tri-County foster care program

WALLACE — There was a time when Downtown Wallace nightlife thrived. The trains ran through town bringing friends and shoppers.There were stores, pool halls and food spots. There were some on Main Street, (Front Street) with counterparts on Boney Street (Back Street).

At the corner of SW Railroad Street and Boney Street folks near the depot is where folks from both streets could meet. There was an unspoken line around that space that was not crossed.

It was a different time that is hard for me to imagine. I grew up in a very integrated town in the north and was too young to understand things on the news that spoke about segregation. Thankfully, that is now a chapter in our past, and the stage for the Back Street Music Festival is put on that corner to celebrate those who met at that corner years ago, now travel freely between both streets.

The Back Street Music Festival was organized in 2001 by Felix Herring as a fundraiser for the Tri-County Foster Care Program. This non-profit operates a residential foster home that offers counseling and more to those staying there, and works with agencies to place children in foster homes.

The 2024 festival is August 3, starting at 10 am and going till 10 pm. There will be a BBQ Cook-Off with BBQ sold afterwards as well as other food trucks and food vendors. Find Arts & Craft Vendors, and organizations with info on their services. Register for the Corn Hole or Spades Tournaments.

There will be water slides for the kids and to bring out the kid in you, have a blast playing kids street games for adults. I want to see the moms and grandmas out there playing hop-scotch!

Enjoy the car, truck and bike show. Brian Crooms and Queen City Baggers will be there as well. Don’t miss the Bike Audio Competition.The sound is incredible, and brings competitors from miles away.

The Fashion Show starts at 3 p.m. on the big stage followed by dance teams and area queens and princesses. The music continues with bands that will play R&B, Gospel, Country, Southern Soul and more.

The band line-up includes William Bosz Band on Fire, Carl Newton & The Band and the 919 GoGO Band.

There is no charge for admission. Street side parking is available on streets around the festival location on W Boney Street.