Lorain Port board approves RoverFest contract

Eric Bonzar / ebonzar@morningjournal.com

An estimated 15,000 people from across the Rover’s Morning Glory listening area and beyond came to Black River Landing in Lorain on July 26, 2014, to party alongside platinum recording artists and Grammy award-winners in what was described as the “Super Bowl” of the radio show’s year. The show is returning to Black River Landing on July 18, 2015.

By Staff report, The Morning Journal

POSTED: 07/06/15, 6:06 PM EDT

The Lorain Port Authority has approved a contract to stage the RoverFest part at Black River Landing.

The Port board held a special meeting July 6 to approve the contract, said board President Carl Nielsen.

The Port board was scheduled to consider the contract as part of its regular meeting July 14. However, that date did not allow enough time for Cleveland radio host Shane “Rover” French to conclude his legal and financial arrangements to stage the show, Nielsen said.

This is the second year in Lorain that Rover has hosted what he bills as the biggest party of the summer.

This year, the Port will collect a $7,000 dollar facility rental fee for use of its Black River Landing festival site in downtown Lorain. That figure is up from the $5,200 fee last year.

The Port and Rover also have an agreement in principle to rent the facility for $6,500 if RoverFest returns in 2016.

Contract details were discussed by Brad Mullins, chairman of the board’s contract negotiations committee, and Yvonne Smith, accountant and acting executive director for the Lorain Port Authority, as part of the Port’s regular meeting in June.

The lower price for 2016 was to be an incentive for Rover to return to the city for a third year, Mullins said July 6.

“He’s very complimentary about Lorain, so we’re thankful for that,” Mullins said.

RoverFest 2014 also attracted attention to the city, including that of promoter Bob Earley, who brought the Rockin’ on the River weekly concert series to Lorain, Mullins said.