| Meadowbrook | |
|---|---|
| Location | Gilford, New Hampshire |
| Type | Outdoor amphitheatre |
| Opened | 1996 |
| Former name(s) | Meadowbrook Farm Meadowbrook Musical Arts Center |
| Seating type | reserved, lawn |
| Capacity | 6,500 |
Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion is an outdoor amphitheater located near Lake Winnipesaukee in Gilford, New Hampshire, USA.
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The land was originally owned by the Miller family, who used the property for summer vacations, weekend excursions, and general family entertainment. By the early 1900s, cottages began to pop up on the property. The family continued to use the land to hold family concerts and gatherings for many years ahead. While ownership of the land where the venue is located changed hands, the Miller family today still owns property next to the pavilion.
In early 1996, Meadowbrook was created as a summer concert venue. Originally known as Meadowbrook Farm, the pavilion consisted of a temporary stage, 2,500 portable seats and a lawn that held 2,000 people.
The venue was renamed five years later to the Meadowbrook Musical Arts Center, to better reflect the growing direction of the farm. A permanent stage soon replaced the temporary one.
In 2002, the venue began its most major renovation to date. A pavilion roof was installed, along with 3,097 reserved seats (with capabilities to remove seats if necessary for general admission shows), 540 reserved lawn seats, and 2,850 general admission lawn seats.
In 2005, Meadowbrook added its Second Stage, a tented area with a full-service bar where local bands play for concertgoers prior to and following the actual concert.
In 2007, U.S. Cellular signed a naming agreement with the venue, leading to its current name, the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion. Also in 2007, Meadowbrook was nominated for Venue of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.
Meadowbrook is one of only a few outdoor amphitheatres located in New England that is not owned by the major media conglomerate, Live Nation.
Sugarland currently holds the venue's attendance record.[1] Their September 5, 2010 performance there - with Ellis Paul opening - was the second time in two years that a Sugarland show was a sell-out.[1]