Scarborough Downs could host several major outdoor concerts this summer, with the Town Council’s decision this week to let the promoter of the successful Bangor Waterfront Pavilion concert series start booking shows at the racetrack.

Alex Gray presented the Town Council with a list of shows he might be able bring to Scarborough Downs this summer, including country artist Miranda Lambert on July 27, WCYY’s Oxxfest rock show on Aug. 10, rockers Train and Matt Carney on Aug. 24 and Aug. 26, and the Rockstar Energy Drink Tour on Sept. 1.

Additional Photos

A list of shows that could take place at Scarborough Downs this summer includes an undated concert featuring music legends Bob Dylan, above, and Willie Nelson, below. Negotiations are under way to book a number of artists to play at the racetrack. File Photos/The Associated Press

The list included the possibility of a show by pop singer Jason Mraz in late July and an undated show featuring music legends Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson.

Gray said Friday that none of the shows is definite, and that other shows that weren’t listed may happen. He said the Town Council’s approval enables him to “further negotiate” with artists who will tour this summer, to try to firm up dates for Scarborough Downs. Gray could not say for sure how many shows he might try to bring to the harness racetrack.

Last year at the outdoor Bangor Waterfront Pavilion, Gray staged 17 concerts. He already has 12 confirmed there this year. He said his success in Bangor, plus the lack of a major outdoor concert series in southern Maine, convinced him to propose a summer concert series at Scarborough Downs.

Susan Higgins, marketing director for Scarborough Downs, said the racetrack’s management realized the demand for outdoor concerts in the area after hosting a concert by country star Brad Paisley last summer.

That show, organized by a New Hampshire promoter, had “very few incidents,” Higgins said, although some town officials said there were a few noise complaints. Higgins said the racetrack’s management saw that show as sort of a “test run” to determine whether concerts at Scarborough Downs could be successful.

“Right after that show (by Paisley), people began asking us when the next one would be,” Higgins said.

Carol Rancourt, a town councilor, said she feels the Scarborough Downs site is roomy enough and close enough to the Maine Turnpike to hold large concerts — with several thousand people in the audience — without causing major traffic problems in town.

The town’s police and fire departments recommended approval of Gray’s proposal to stage concerts, Rancourt said. She said “some details” will have to be worked out, including the maximum crowd, once Gray has shows and dates booked.

“We know there have been concerts there before, but not a whole series of them in one summer,” Rancourt said. “If this is successful, it could be a real boon to the town.”

Outdoor concerts that Gray has scheduled for Bangor this year include shows by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Godsmack, Gary Allan, Zac Brown, the Beach Boys, Rascal Flatts, Ted Nugent with REO Speedwagon and Styx, The Happy Together Tour featuring bands of the 1960s, and the Barenaked Ladies with Blues Traveler.

Gray said some performers who have played Bangor’s outdoor venue and are touring in the area might be convinced to play in southern Maine this time. Mraz, for instance, played at Bangor’s outdoor venue — which is on city-owned land — in 2010. The venue has room for more than 8,000 portable seats.

Gray said improvements needed for concerts will be built at Scarborough Downs, including a stage, a loading dock, and a structure for lights and a sound system.

“We’ll build a serious venue there,” he said, “like we have in Bangor.”

Staff Writer Ray Routhier can be contacted at 791-6454 or at: rrouthier@pressherald.com

Related Stories