49 Winchester and Hailey Whitters to Co-Headline Spirit on Mountain Street August 21

08/11/2025

Jacksonville’s biggest street festival is back—and this year, it’s doubling the star power. Spirit on Mountain Street returns on Thursday, August 21, bringing an evening of incredible food, family fun, and live music featuring two of the fastest-rising names in country and Americana: 49 Winchester and Hailey Whitters.  

Hosted by the Jacksonville State University Student Government Association, the free event invites the entire community to Mountain Street, next to Jax State’s AmFirst Stadium, to help kick off the new school year.    

Festivities begin at 6 p.m. with Taste of the Town, where local restaurants will serve up their most popular menu items in exchange for $1 tasting tickets. The evening will also include a Kids Zone, vendor booths, and other family-friendly activities. Admission is free and open to the public.    

The music takes center stage with an outdoor concert featuring Hailey Whitters at 7:15 pm, and 49 Winchester at 8:45 pm. 

Hailing from the small Appalachian town of Castlewood, Virginia, 49 Winchester has quickly become a force in American roots music. Known for their high-octane live shows and heartfelt lyrics, the band blends gritty rock energy with country soul, creating a sound Rolling Stone calls “country music’s buzziest of buzz bands.” Their breakthrough 2022 album Fortune Favors the Bold earned praise from Bandcamp, No Depression, and Whiskey Riff, generating more than 150 million global streams and cementing lead singer Isaac Gibson as “Appalachia’s Springsteen.” Their latest album, Leavin’ This Holler, released in August 2024 via New West Records, builds on that momentum with sweeping orchestration, raw vulnerability, and a renewed sense of purpose.   

Hailey Whitters is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter celebrated for her Midwest authenticity and platinum-selling hit “Everything She Ain’t.” Since her breakout album The Dream and its follow-up Raised—named Rolling Stone’s Top Country Album of 2022—Whitters has performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Today Show, and The Kelly Clarkson Show, and toured with some of the biggest names in country music, including Luke Combs, Shania Twain, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, and Luke Bryan. Her latest album, Corn Queen, leans into her fans’ nickname for her, showcasing not only her relentless work ethic, but also her undeniable talent and charm.  

Now in its 19th year, Spirit on Mountain Street is co-hosted by Jacksonville State University, Aligned Insurance, and the City of Jacksonville. The festival has grown into the city’s largest outdoor celebration, bringing together students, families, and residents for an evening of shared community spirit. Proceeds benefit the Jacksonville Christian Outreach Center, which provides vital financial assistance to local families in need.  

Mark your calendars and make plans to be part of this unforgettable night. This year, Spirit on Mountain Street promises to be more unforgettable than ever.