GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – Fans of the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tom Petty will spend several days enjoying live music, storytelling and much more starting tonight.

This year, Tom Petty Weekend returns to the Heartwood Soundstage and will be held from Thursday, Oct. 19 through Sunday, Oct. 22 on what would have been Tom’s 73rd birthday.

What is Tom Petty Weekend and how did it get started?

Gainesville native Tom Petty died on Oct. 2, 2017. Fans, supporters, and the community were looking for a way to honor their native son and music great. Two weeks after his death, over 2,500 fans gathered that year at the Heartwood Soundstage in celebration of his birthday – Oct. 20, 1950.

Now, every year the Tom Petty Nation descends on Gainesville, where it all started, to celebrate his life and legacy through music.

You can bring your own chairs for the outdoor concerts but coolers are not permitted. Food and drink are sold onsite. Courtesy: Tom Petty Weekend

What does it entail?

There’s a lot in store for this year’s event including a spectacular lineup of artists. Some performers this year include Jake Thistle, Shovels & Rope and Joe Crookston. Organizers of the music festival say they book bands and performers who were “directly influenced by or influenced the music of the Heartbreakers including musicians that played with Tom during different iterations of his various musical endeavors.”

The weekend kicks off Thursday with performances at the Cade Museum for VIP ticketholders.

  • Thursday, Oct. 19, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (VIP ticketholders only)
  • Friday, Oct. 20, noon to 11 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 21, 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 22, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

View the full entertainment lineup here.

A single day pass is $25, and weekend pass for the three days of concerts is $50. VIP packages are also available ranging from $125 to $350 and include entry to the Thursday kick-off event, swag packages, beverages and other benefits.

And that’s not all. You can immerse yourself in more Tom Petty history by booking a ticket to the “Among the Wildflowers” exhibit at the Cade Museum.  The exhibit opened in July and according to the museum’s website “explores the joys, pains, and creative awakenings Petty experienced when pouring his soul into his magnum opus,” Wildflowers.

Tickets to the exhibit are $20 for adults. You can purchase them here. If you don’t get the chance to check out the exhibit this weekend, don’t worry. It’s on display until Dec. 31.

VIP ticketholders are treated to indoor performances at the Cade Museum. Courtesy: Tom Petty Weekend
A weekend pass for three days of concerts (Friday thru Sunday) costs just $50. One-day general admission tickets cost $25. Courtesy: Tom Petty Weekend
Performers take the stage at the Tom Petty Weekend. Courtesy: Matt Stamey/Tom Petty Weekend
Many of the musicians booked to perform were inspired by the work of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Courtesy: Tom Petty Weekend

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