Drive Time and the Newton County Community Band will perform at the official grand opening of Legion Field, hosted by the city of Covington.

Scheduled for Friday, June 17, the gates will open at 6 p.m. and food trucks will be prepared to serve. Tours of the completed renovations of Legion Field, located on Mill Street, behind the Covington Family Y, will be available until 7 p.m., when the Newton County Community Band is scheduled to begin their performance. Immediately following, local band Drive Time will take the stage and play until approximately 9 p.m.

“Legion Field belongs to the citizens of Covington,” said city manager Leigh Anne Knight. “This event is a fantastic way to open the doors to this beautiful facility and let people come enjoy an evening of free entertainment and some great food.”
Renovations took just two years to complete, beginning in April 2014 and finishing less than two months ago. The original enclosed block building, formerly used for the display and judging of pies, cakes, quilts and other domestic products, was totally renovated and now features a kitchen, restrooms and large banquet area.

The existing pavilion, previously used for the showing of livestock, was demolished and a taller, larger pavilion was constructed. A band shell and walking track encircling the field was also added and a new archway entrance and ticket booths were added.

“If you haven’t seen Legion Field lately, you are in for a surprise,” Knight said. “We can’t thank the Community Band and Drive Time enough for providing free entertainment for this inaugural community event.”

Food trucks scheduled to attend are Cousins Maine Lobster, the Atlanta Burger Truck, Bradley’s Bar-B-Que and Kona Ice.
Original bids from outside vendors for the project were just under $900,000, but the City of Covington managed the project in-house and was able to complete the renovations and additions for $700,000.