Boots, Brews and Brice: Lee Brice performs in SCV for crowd of 8,000 at Boots and Brews

Lee Brice performs at the Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723.
Lee Brice performs at the Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723. Dan Watson/The Signal
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The rumor going ‘round is that the 2023 Boots and Brews country music festival attracted an audience of 8,000 with headliner Lee Brice captivating the audience at Central Park on Saturday.  

At the price of a pun, the rumor is true and confirmed by Derek Gibbins, marketing specialist for CBF Productions, which is in charge of putting together the spectacle that is Boots and Brews.  

Lee Brice performs at the Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723.
Lee Brice performs at the Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723. Dan Watson/The Signal

The 8,000 tickets sold is 1,000 more than the tickets from last year’s festival with headliner Brad Paisely.  

Boots and Brews has secured its spot as an annual country music festival that takes place in Morgan Hill, Ventura and Santa Clarita.  

Lee Brice performs at the Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723.
Lee Brice performs at the Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723. Dan Watson/The Signal

“Boots and Brews was born in Santa Clarita and we consider it the hometown country music festival in the SCV,” said Gibbins. 

The festival goes beyond just its name in its offerings.  

Throughout the entire day, attendees strolled around Central Park in their boots enjoying food, drinks and shopping from a variety of vendors.  

Some of the most popular spots were the cornhole and the Honky Tonk dance floor. 

Dylan Demuth and Kiley Faulkner dance asTyler Farr performs at the Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723.
Dylan Demuth and Kiley Faulkner dance as Tyler Farr performs at the Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723. Dan Watson/The Signal

All the amenities that the festival offer exemplified to some attendees the winner in the ever-growing “concerts vs. festivals” debate.  

“Festivals, there’s more to offer,” said Hunter Petretti. “Food, the boutiques and all the fun stuff that there is to offer.”  

Matt Stell performs at the Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723.
Matt Stell performs at the Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723. Dan Watson/The Signal

However, there couldn’t be concerts or festivals without the music.  

The 2023 lineup featured Daniel Bonte, Matt Stell, Tyler Farr and headliner Lee Brice.  

Tyler Farr performs at the Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723.
Tyler Farr performs at the Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723. Dan Watson/The Signal

Brice is a Grammy nominee, a CMA and ACM award winner with nine No. 1 singles.  

“We bring big names and upcoming stars to an area that might not have had the opportunity otherwise,” said Gibbins.  

Attendees sing along as Matt Stell performs at the Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723.
Attendees sing along as Matt Stell performs at the Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723. Dan Watson/The Signal

Having headliners with many accolades such as Brice keeps the festival tickets a hot commodity, the organizers say. 

“I’d say he’s probably the reason we came,” said Linda Petretti.  

Attendees sing along as Tyler Farr performs at the Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723.
Attendees sing along as Tyler Farr performs at the Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723. Dan Watson/The Signal

As the sun went down, cowboy hats went up as Tyler Farr cheered “Raise your hats!” 

With just a few moments in between, Brice took the stage performing his famous songs such as “Rumor,” “Memory I Don’t Mess With,” “I Drive Your Truck,” and “One of Them Girls.” 

Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723.
Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723. Dan Watson/The Signal

The crowd was captivated — from those close enough to touch the stage, all the way to those who decided to enjoy the show with a chair in the back.  

“You come here and everyone’s happy and having a good time, and it makes me very happy to see them in my hometown,” said Linda.  

Matt Stell, left, performs at the Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723.
Matt Stell, left, performs at the Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723. Dan Watson/The Signal
Tyler Farr performs at the Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723.
Tyler Farr performs at the Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723. Dan Watson/The Signal
Tyler Farr performs at the Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723.
Tyler Farr performs at the Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723. Dan Watson/The Signal
Becky and Claudia Eriasson dance to the music at the Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723.
Becky and Claudia Eriasson dance to the music at the Boots and Brews Country Music Festival at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday, 061723. Dan Watson/The Signal

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