The Wellington Lake will once again become home to rock forces to be reckoned with this weekend.
Saturday will mark the last Midwest RockFest event of 2009. The final event of a three concert series will be headlined by rock acts Puddle of Mudd, Saliva, Candlebox and Eve 6. In all, nine acts will take the stage beginning at 11:30 a.m.
A fourth show was planned to take place but was cancelled. Organizers cited problems with finding a headliner and the economy for the cancellation.
This concert however, is being billed the biggest so far of the series.
Organizer CJ Cross said, “This is the biggest line-up which is why the September 12th show had struggled to get a band that would be larger than this show.... Booking of those bands didn’t happen.”
Cross indicated that bands are traveling from Nashville to Los Angeles to play the event.
“This is the best of the best. It’s going to be an awesome show. It’s what everyone is talking about and ticket sales are going really well,” said Cross.
The July show saw 3,750 people in attendance, though a few hundred tickets were given away for the event. Lita Ford and Sevendust headlined the July event. Around 2,300 were in attendance for the June show which was headlined by Great White and Dokken.
Cross feels the concert could bring in as many as 8,000 to 10,000 spectators.
According to Cross, one of the main differences between this rock show’s set up and others at larger venues is the venue promotes interaction with the talent.
“We’ve been very blessed with the bands we have coming to these shows and how much they interact with the fans and the crowds and being a part of the event and not just playing music,” said Cross. “They don’t just stay backstage. They come and interact and have a good time to make this show happen.”
Fan interaction may have meant more this year than any in the past.
Cross said, “It is a tough year. It’s a tough economy. When those entertainers give support like that it really helps our show. I can’t guarantee every single one of them is going to come out and say hello but I know a large portion will.”
Advance tickets are $55 and include free parking. Tickets can be bought in Wellington at the Oak Tree Inn.
Tickets the day of the event are $70.
