Cache County Event Center opens doors for first concert

In a new, red-brick building with only three small office spaces, there is plenty of room to rock — or in this case, country.

Local band Mile Marker 6 will open for Sawyer Brown at the Cache County Event Center in Logan on Thursday. The concert will be the first at the newly reopened center, which includes a 20,000 square foot auditorium complete with a jumbotron. It also marks the first collaboration between the center and the Cherry Peak Winter Concert Series.

Cassidy Nemelka, the assistant director of the center, said things have been busy since officially reopening in September.

"Other events like weddings, or receptions were booked by word of mouth," Nemelka said. "But Cherry Peak actually came to us with the idea about the concert. It was very spur-of-the-moment."

Nerves have also set in, but not in expected places.

"I'm most nervous about the set-up perspective," Nemelka said. "We recently lost a member of our staff, so setting things up has been a lot to deal with, but I think once we get more help everything should be fine."

Nemelka also said she hopes more concerts can come through the center.

"At this point, we just don't know what to expect with this first show," Nemelka said. "The hope is that this one goes really well, and we can house more concerts in the future."

Joaby Parker, the lead singer and guitarist for Mile Marker 6, isn't fazed by performing in a new building and said he is more grateful than nervous for the opportunity to perform.

 "For a first concert, not only do they have a great band like Sawyer Brown to perform," Parker said, "but I feel like it's such a privilege to be a part of a local-valley band and to open for such an influential act."

Parker was influenced by Sawyer Brown in the mid-1990s as a teenager working on a family farm. The opportunity to perform alongside his idols is one he doesn't take for granted.

"It is quite the honor to share the stage with Sawyer Brown," Parker said.