The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
All-day music fests expected to grow
AMPed series among new options for weekend entertainment in city
Many area communities offer a summer concert series, but Mentor City officials took it to a whole new level this past weekend.
The city held its first fullday music festival June 2, at Mentor Civic Amphitheater, 8500 Civic Center Blvd.
“We’re trying to learn how to best stretch the benefit of this facility for the good of the community,” City Manager Ken Filipiak said.
“The concert series was so successful last year, we wanted to provide some live music on the weekend. Not everybody can get out on a Tuesday night.”
The Mentor Rocks series has been a mid-week favorite for years, especially since the opening of the amphitheater last year.
On June 2, the amphitheater season opened with AMPed Rock, the first of three such festivals featuring multiple bands and different genres. Country and R&B festivals are slated for July 7 and Aug. 4, respectively.
The first festival included Abbey Rodeo, the Modern Electric and Fleetwood Macked, plus acoustic sets by Joe Sumph and Pete Maric, and Dustin Kaiser. The bands were selected with variety as well as quality talent in mind, Mentor Community Relations Administrator Ante Logarusic said.
“From a logistical standpoint, it was a great start,” Logarusic said. “It was our first event of the season and everything went off without a hitch.”
An estimated 3,000 people attended throughout the day. More marketing is planned for the next festival.
“Being the first one, we were pretty happy with the attendance, but it’s something new, so you need to get people to learn about it,” Filipiak said. “But it was a good start overall, and the vendors were happy and the entertainment was good.”
The AMPed series may be moved later in the season next year.
“I think we kind of underestimated that we were competing with graduation party season,” Filipiak said. “We expect the festivals to grow. … Anytime you start something new, you have to earn a reputation, and once word gets out we’re doing music on the weekend, I think it’s going to be successful.”
Logarusic said the benefit to the community is hard to say after one show.
“Over the course of the season, however, it’s apparent that, in addition to the acts and the food vendors, local hoteliers, restaurants and service providers benefit directly,” he said. “
These events are also a great opportunity to showcase what Mentor, as well as all of Lake County, has to offer. We promote other events at every show with the expectation that you’ll want to come back. We also distribute copies of our Visitor Guide at every show highlighting where to eat, shop, play and stay in Mentor.
“The bands were very appreciative of receiving ‘rock star treatment’ from the moment they arrived at the venue. It’s something we hear a lot and something we are proud of.”