The streets of downtown Greensboro will rock on Saturday, Sept. 8 as more than 10,000 college students and residents swarm the ever-popular Hamburger Square section (corner of McGee and S. Elm streets) for the sixth annual Get Down!Town free music festival.

The free event boasts the live music of local and national acts, such as The Mantras at 7 p.m., The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker at 7:45 p.m., the first ever Greek Get Down! Step Competition at 8:45 p.m. and the headliner, Rusted Root at 9:30 p.m.

Rusted Root is famous for their fusion of Grateful Dead style-bluegrass rock. They have released seven CD’s and made it into the top 40 with their well-known hit “Send Me on My Way.”

Street vendors will line the streets, along with two beer gardens in the middle of the action featuring Natty Greene’s and Budweiser beers.

Attendees with valid college IDs will also have the chance to win tantalizing prizes and giveaways such as a brand new digital camera, iPod or gift certificates to local establishments.

Downtown restaurants, bars and stores will also offer a variety of “After Dark” specials, featuring deals on drinks, food and merchandise from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. to anyone that participates in Get Down!Town festivities.

Get Down!Town is managed by the non-profit group synerG, Action Greensboro’s young professionals initiative, and is staffed largely by volunteers.

In its sixth year running, synerG hopes to expose college students in the area to Greensboro’s revitalized downtown, and also wants to encourage students to meet across campuses and offer the community an opportunity to meet and interact with area college students; and most importantly, to have fun.

The event is made possible by generous donations from Elon University, Bojangles, Natty Greene’s, Pepsi-Cola, The WCWG CW 20, WKZL 107.5 FM, Rock 92, YES! Weekly, Budweiser/RH Barringer and Signature Property Group.

For more information, visit www.getdowntowngreensboro.org.

Reporter: Nicole Spurlock - 08/29/07