A silver lining is coming to Mineral in the form of country music star Alan Jackson.
The small town that was at the epicenter of August’s 5.8-magnitude earthquake learned Monday that it won an online contest for a free concert courtesy of the country icon. That’s quite the turnaround from Friday, when residents learned there would be no federal assistance to help pay for the aftermath of the quake.
According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Mineral received more than 31,000 votes in an online poll conducted by eventful.com to beat Kansas City and Minot, N.D. Residents, fans and even politicians and officials like Gov. Bob McDonnell and U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor were vocal in recruiting votes, utilizing Facebook and Twitter to rally support.
“It’s on people’s minds right up there with the earthquake,” said Kube, a huge fan who played Jackson songs at both of her parents’ funerals and voted in the contest.
She said the focus on winning the contest has helped distract from the almost daily aftershocks of the 5.8 magnitude earthquake. She said town leaders are considering whether the concert for between 1,000 and 3,000 people could be held at the town’s Walton Park or in the Louisa County High School football stadium.
Details of the concert have yet to be released but it’s likely to start at 5 o’clock somewhere.
