By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – One of the largest free music festivals in the state will be moving to a new venue this year, and will feature a mixture of classic rock, alternative and alt-country among its headliners.

The Gin Blossoms will take the CityFest main stage at 7 p.m., followed by 38 Special performing at 9 p.m. Title sponsors for the 2018 CityFest are Central State Bank and Coca-Cola.

The event, which will be held all day beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 2, will be moving this year from its traditional location at Municipal Park to the new Thompson High School campus at 1921 Warrior Parkway.

“After 15 years, this marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Alabaster CityFest,” said Alabaster Arts Council Sponsorship Chairperson Camille Herron. “We are very proud of our new school, and this is a great opportunity for people from all over the south to visit campus, as well as an opportunity for us to continue to grow the festival.”

Visitors will enter the festival from the Thompson Road entrance to the new THS campus, and will enjoy more space for parking, vendors and enjoying the day’s activities, event organizers said.

The Gin Blossoms are one of the most successful alternative rock bands in the country, and are best known for hits such as “Hey Jealousy,” “Until I Fall Away,” “Follow you Down” and “As Long as it Matters.” The band is set to release a new album on May 11, and will perform a mixture of new and classic music at CityFest.

38 Special has been performing together for more than 30 years, and is best known for hits such as “Hold on Loosely,” “Rockin’ into the Night,” “Caught up in You,” “Fantasy Girl” and “Second Chance.”

Delta Rae, alt-country rockers from Durham, N.C., will highlight the afternoon lineup at 5:30 p.m. Their recent release features the hit single “No Peace in Quiet” and a cover of the harmony-laden classic “Seven Bridges Road.”

Other acts will include local and regional artists representing several musical genres. The event will also feature familiar CityFest offerings, such as the KidsFest area, food and craft vendors and a drive-in car show.

“Rock fans will already be excited about our headliners. Country, R&B, pop … it’s all going to be on stage at Alabaster CityFest throughout the day,” said Jamie Cole with the Alabaster Arts Council.

To keep up with CityFest announcements as the festival draws closer, visit Alabastercityfest.com or AlabasterCityFest on Facebook.