Ruby Amphitheater draws big crowds; city plans pilot 'text-to-give' donations

On Mic'd Up Morgantown, Vincent Kitch described how the Ruby Amphitheater’s summer concert series has grown into a major seasonal draw and how the city manages funding, staffing and day-of logistics.

"The jewel of Morgantown," Kitch said of the Ruby Amphitheater. "It's only been 4 years since we started the Ruby Summer Concert Series ... we have people from over 20 states, international visitors, 55,000 people a year in the park."

Kitch said the Ruby's programming is paid for through grants and sponsorships and emphasized that it is "not city tax dollars." To broaden support, he said the city plans to pilot a text-to-give campaign that would allow attendees to donate on-site by phone to support free programs.

He outlined the seasonal logistics: marketing and contracting begin months in advance; day-of operations often start at about 6:00 a.m. and run until midnight; the city coordinates across departments including police, fire and maintenance; and a team of six to eight part-time event staff—many of them WVU students—handles parking, trash, technical production and guest services.

Kitch credited sponsors (including the Hazel Ruby McQueen Charitable Trust) and local businesses for underwriting the series and said volunteers and part-time staff are key to delivering a clean, well-run event experience.

Kitch encouraged residents to follow the Ruby and other city venues on social media and to volunteer or donate through forthcoming channels. The podcast did not provide a date for the episode; listeners were asked to follow the show's social media for updates.