The first sight visitors to the new FBG Event Center will see is John Adams' 1948 John Deere tractor, sitting in the lobby. Adams designed the building as a site for auctions, concerts, private parties, and public meetings. Photo by Phil Houseal
Details:
The FBG Event Center is located at 224 Tivydale Road just south of Fredericksburg. For bookings and information, contact Summer Adams at 830-990-1010, or www.fbgcenterinc.com.
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The FBG Event Center
by Phil Houseal
Mar 7, 2007
"We’re gonna have fun out here!"
If John Adams has as much fun running the FBG Event Center as he does telling about it, this will be the most exciting venue in Texas.
I had the privilege of playing a "pre-opening event" at the Center in December. As we were setting up the band, Adams peeled me away for an impromptu tour of the 25,000-square-foot building, located on seven acres just off Tivydale Road. The parking lot was still gravel, and black plastic sealed off some rooms, but even then the building showed its promise.
Adams envisions the FBG Event Center as a hub for equipment and estate auctions, weddings, concerts, shows, and conventions. He has plans for a large stage, full commercial kitchen, plus a buffet restaurant and beer garden. There is scads of paved parking, with space set aside for large tents to accommodate outdoor events.
Adams has spent his career building metal buildings, and he and Travis Carlson, Master Electrician and Operations Manager, took no shortcuts putting this project together.
"This is not a drafty barn," Carlson said. "This building is built right. Nothing in town has what we have."
Every inch of the place is wired for power, sound, security, safety and comfort. A wall separates the auction arena, so when running vehicles are inside, they can open a vent a blow all the fumes out. It can accommodate two auctions running at the same time.
According to Adams, Carlson's job is to continuously improve this site.
"I'll tell you how creative Travis is," Adams said. "We have TV in the boys room! We want to use our imagination here! These guys come up with these ideas, and I say good. It’s just fun!"
Musicians will pledge fealty to Adams simply because he had the vision to include the only "green room" in town - complete with couches, showers, and washer and dryer.
One key to the Center's success will be that they don't plan to rely only on weekend events.
"We want people to mill through the building all the time," Adams said. "We are going to have small music events during the week so people can dance if they want. When there is a gun show in town, we'll do something for the ladies here. When they are doing antiques, we’re going to do something for the men."
They'll also generate traffic with the Limestone Grille, which will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner six days a week.
Restaurant Manager Rudolph Rosas, who has 30 years experience in the food business, has cooked up big ideas for the 30 by 40-foot restaurant.
"We'll do comfort food, fish, brisket, and chicken," he said. He plans to emphasize different cultures, with special nights for Texan, Louisiana and Cajun, Mexican, and Polynesian foods.
The Grille will feature inside and covered patio seating, with outdoor grill and fireplaces. Adams made it buffet-style for a reason. "I don’t want people to wait for the food, and I don’t want them to have to leave tips," he said. They will also offer arry-out service. "We’re going to be real famous for our fried chicken."
One Adams innovation is the monthly door prize.
"Every time you come and eat dinner with us, everyone at the table will get a ticket," he said. "We're going to do big things. Rather than a stepladder or a can opener, it might be a car, a pickup, a boat, a motor home, or a trip to Hawaii. Every month we’ll announce the winner, and we'll have the prize on display all the time."
The first thing guest will notice on display is a 1948 John Deere tractor in the lobby.
"My dad bought this tractor new in 1948," Adams explained. "I used it to work in the fields, to go rabbit hunting, and I even drove it to school. One day it needed new decals, and my dad put 'Deere John' on it! The newspaper came and took a picture of me on it. So now, we're going to let people come and get their kids pictures sitting on it. My dad is 82, and this is for him."
It is going to be fun.
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