ASHLAND, Ky. — A brand new riverfront park and a homecoming for one of eastern Kentucky’s native sons are the highlights of the 2011 edition of Summer Motion in Ashland, Ky.

Summer Motion Chairman Chuck Charles said the theme for this year’s event is “Homecoming” and the Summer Motion is a homecoming in more ways than one.

This will be the first year the annual event will use the new $10.2 -million-dollar Veteran’s Riverfront Park for its music concerts. The riverfront area was closed for two years and concerts were performed elsewhere while workers constructed a new boat dock, jetty, walkways and public restrooms. Work was also performed to reclaim land along the river.

“This is the first time for a major event there,” Charles said. “And July 4 is the first day for it. How fitting is that?”

It will also be a homecoming for actor/singer Billy Ray Cyrus. The Flatwoods native will perform Monday, July 4 at 9:30 p.m.

“I think we’ll have 40,000 people (in attendance) that night,” Charles said. He estimated the five-day event would draw a total crowd of 110,000 people.

Other featured performers: pop vocalist Kenny Loggins will perform at 8 p.m. July 5, following a performance by Blue Sky Riders. Country newcomers JaneDear Girls will perform at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 6, along with country/pop singer Jimmy Wayne. Country singer Sarah Darling will perform at 8 p.m. Monday, July 4, just ahead of Cyrus. Rhythm and blues group The Contours will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday.

One new feature this year is comedian Tom Foss performing between music acts during the evening concerts on July 4 and 5.

While much of the musical entertainment is on the riverfront, Central Park will host two days of concerts. On Saturday, Summer Motion will showcase regional talent beginning at 3 p.m. with a concert by John Thornsberry, followed by Against the Grain at 4 p.m., Madhouse at 5 p.m., Kayla Dehart at 6 p.m., Split Decision at 7 p.m. and FM Trio at 8 p.m.

On Sunday the Central Park concerts begin at 1 p.m. with Just His, followed by Kimber Rising at 2 p.m., Kim Thomas at 3 p.m., Cat Cirner at 4 p.m. and Shane Thomas at 5 p.m.

WTCR will host the regional semi-final round of the Texaco Country Showdown 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday in the park. Several contestants will compete in America’s largest country music talent search and 10 finalists will move on to the finals.

In addition to music, Summer Motion has a myriad of other activities in its lineup.

One new feature this year is a blood drive 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Crabbe Elementary, corner of 17th Street and Central Avenue at the edge of Central Park.

Summer Motion 2011’s 10K Race begins at 8 a.m. Saturday. To register contact Summer Motion 10K Lynn Hutchinson 2536 Hampton St. Ashland, KY. 41101.

The annual car show is scheduled for Saturday in Central Park, near the 17th Street and Montgomery Avenue entrance. Registration is 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. The registration fee is $10. For more information, please call Cade Mahan (606) 571-9409 or email at bcmahan@yahoo.com.

The annual arts and crafts festival will be 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday in the center of Central Park (across from the food court). However, all spaces for vendors have been filled.

The cornhole tournament will take place Saturday in the park. Registration and practice begin at 11 a.m. The tournament begins at noon. The cost is just $20 per team. For more information contact Ron Jarrell (rtcornhole@yahoo.com) or by phone at (740)-285-2024 or (606)-932-4430.

This is the 23rd year for the summertime event.