Grantville, PA – Jon Pardi brought the summer concert season at Penn Heroes Stage at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course to a record-setting close Friday night, August 21, performing before the largest crowd in the venue’s six-year history.
The record-setting attendance surpassed even that of Central Pennsylvania hometown favorite Bret Michaels, making Pardi’s appearance the highest-selling show since the Penn Heroes Stage opened. With an enthusiastic crowd filling the venue, Pardi delivered the kind of energetic country performance that made for a fitting finale to the summer series.
Opening the night was Mechanicsburg native Gillian Smith, a familiar face to Penn Heroes Stage audiences. Smith previously performed at the venue when she opened for Cole Swindell in 2025. She returned Friday night with another solid performance, giving the hometown crowd an early reason to get on its feet.
Next up was Matt Stell, whose powerful vocals and distinctive blend of modern country, Americana and rock influences provided a strong transition into Pardi’s headlining set. Stell has made a name for himself with his emotionally charged songwriting and powerhouse voice.
Stell also made country music history as one of only nine new artists in the previous six years to score consecutive No. 1 hits with his back-to-back platinum singles “Prayed for You” and “Everywhere But On.” His performance gave fans a chance to hear those hits live while showcasing the vocal range that has helped establish him as one of country music’s standout contemporary artists.
By the time Pardi took the stage, the crowd was more than ready.
Touring in support of his fifth studio album, Honkytonk Hollywood, Pardi wasted little time getting the party started. The audience sang along and danced throughout the evening as he moved through a set packed with chart-topping hits and fan favorites. The performance also delivered plenty of visual excitement, with bursts of pyro adding another layer of energy and spectacle to an already high-powered show.
One of the night’s most memorable moments came during Pardi’s second number, “Tequila Little Time.” An audience member celebrating her 21st birthday had held up a sign that read, “Can I Tequila Little Time with you on stage for my 21st birthday?” Pardi spotted the sign and granted her birthday wish, inviting her onto the stage and creating a birthday memory she is unlikely to forget.
The setlist featured many of Pardi’s biggest hits, including “Dirt on My Boots,” “Head Over Boots,” “Heartache Medication,” “Last Night Lonely” and “Your Heart or Mine.” Fan favorites such as “Night Shift,” “Heartache on the Dance Floor” and “Ain’t Always the Cowboy” kept the energy high and the crowd singing along.
The excitement extended beyond the stage. Merchandise lines were exceptionally long throughout the evening, with many popular items selling out in most sizes. The demand was another indication of the strong following Pardi has built and the anticipation surrounding his Penn Heroes Stage appearance.
Pardi closed out the summer series with a performance that matched the significance of the night. The record-setting crowd, enthusiastic response, impressive production and memorable moments onstage combined to make his appearance more than just the final concert of the summer—it became a new benchmark for the six-year-old venue.
And Pardi isn’t slowing down. In September, he will launch his Gamblin’ Man Tour in Richmond, Virginia. The tour will continue through mid-November, giving fans plenty of opportunities to catch the country star on the road.
For Penn Heroes Stage, the summer is officially in the books. Jon Pardi made sure it went out in record-setting style.
