The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Rockin’ on the River plans for life after scare
Summer plans are taking shape for Rockin’ on the River at the Lorain Port Authority Black River Landing.
On March 16, Rockin’ on the River released its summer 2020 concert schedule via its website, rockinontheriver.com.
This year’s announcement was much more subdued than in years past, when Rockin’ on the River co-founder Bob Earley would commandeer the Port’s offices for a press conference with lunch, band videos and wisecracks. The change for 2020 was a response to a clamp-down on public gatherings to slow the spread of novel coronavirus.
Earley, Port Executive Director Tom Brown and River City Pop Culture Fest planner Jason Miller emphasized the need for appropriate public and personal actions to maintain health and stem the pandemic now and for as long as it is needed.
But planning started last year and continues, even two months before the planned opening.
No one shows up?
Rockin’ on the River 2020 will open May 22 with Dirty Deeds and Ultimate Ozzy.
That is a week earlier than normal, but Rockin’ on the
River has opened on Memorial Day weekend and will again this year. Earley said he did not want to break with tradition.
“We’re not planning any cancellations whatsoever,” Earley said.
Depending on health circumstances, it could be possible to stop the shows on May 22 and 29 and open in June, said Earley, who coordinates the shows with his wife, Sandy, and numerous helpers.
The worst-case scenario would for public health experts to give the all-clear, meaning the concerts would go forward, but then no one comes out because they are not ready to resume public gatherings, said Earley.
If that happened, it would be worse for Rockin’ on the River than canceling the entire season, Earley said.
Double down
The concert series doubled down for shows in 2020, Earley said, with some shows having two bands on the bill that could be headliners.
There also are 10 new openers this year.
“We’ve really improved our opening band schedule, and I mean big time,” Earley said.
The changes happened because this would be the year to take advantage of new businesses and new energy in Lorain.
“Number one, what was happening in Lorain with the incredible resurgence on Broadway, we thought we could maximize what our business profile was,” Earley
said.
The shows have grown financially every year, he said. Good weather helps.
In 18 events last year, there was no rain at Black River Landing from 5 to 11 p.m. on those nights, even when neighboring cities had rain, Earley said.
“That’s how blessed and how lucky we were,” he said. “It’s almost unthinkable.”
Admission prices
Earley estimated Rockin’ on the River has about 25 percent more invested this year up front to book bands and cover costs so far.
The planners considered raising admission prices, but it just didn’t feel right, Earley said.
“We’ve always been proud that we’re a five-dollar event and we wanted to stay there,” he said.
Some bands do have greater ticket prices, but that is typical for a few shows every year.
Pop culture fest
On Aug. 15, Black River Landing will host the River City Pop Culture Fest in conjunction with Rockin’ on the River.
It is a huge addition for Lorain, with a daylong celebration of comic books, artists, popular movies and music, said Earley and Miller.
The festival will be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with Rockin’ on the River music starting at 5 p.m.
Scheduling celebrity guests has become a challenge because people are reluctant to make commitments due to the COVID-19 health situation, said Miller. He was well aware of the situation because apart from his comic book stores and production company, Miller works in the supply chain for Western Reserve Hospital.
But the potential summer fun is something to look forward to, Miller said.
“It’ll be music, food and vendors, just a good time all day long,” he said.
“The bottom line, still five bucks, still 12 and under free for probably the coolest event we’ve ever done,” Earley said. “It’s a great capture for Lorain.”
Sponsors
A number of sponsors will return for summer 2020, Earley said, and there are at least two new ones.
Meijer is building a new store in Lorain and has signed on as a host sponsor.
Mutt and Jeff’s Restaurant & Bar, 3700 Oberlin Ave., a popular Lorain eatery, has signed on as a sponsor with pre- and post-concert specials for Rockin’ on the River fans.
Western Reserve Hospital of Cuyahoga Falls, where Earley serves as a volunteer, also has signed on as a sponsor. “That’s how much they believe in what we’re doing,” he said.