GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Not only was the Georgia Poultry Federation’s annual concert and dinner event a family and fun-filled evening under the stars, but it was also a homecoming.
The annual event, now known as “City Lights: Bring us Home,” took place in the Federation’s hometown of Gainesville, Ga., for the first time, at the Smithgall Arts Center, on Oct. 25. The function was held for several decades in the Atlanta, Ga., area and was known as the “Night of Knights,” as well as among many as the “Chicken Prom.” Then, following COVID, the event was held outside, open air, at Lake Lanier Islands in Buford, Ga., and became “Georgia Poultry Strong.”
“We were excited to bring the Federation’s annual concert event home to Gainesville,” Mike Giles, GPF president, said. “For most years since the 1950s, the Federation’s annual fundraiser had been held in the Atlanta area in one form or another. Most of those years, it was the Night of Knights banquet which served the Federation so well for decades.”
“No matter the venue or format, we appreciate the strong support that we receive from poultry and allied industries through this annual event,” Giles added.
The entertainment for the evening began with a couple of sessions from Georgia musicians Michelle Malone & Canyonland, as well as Cole Grover.
The headliner for the event was Eddie Montgomery, of the country music duo Montgomery Gentry. Montgomery Gentry began in 1999, and released six studio albums, and had several number one country music hits such as “If You Ever Stop Loving Me,” “Something to Be Proud Of,” “Lucky Man,” “Back When I Knew It All,” and “Roll with Me.” In 2009, they were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. They began their career with awards such as the American Music Awards’ 1999 “Favorite New Artist-Country,” and the Country Music Association’s “Vocal Duo of the Year,” in 2000.
