A rocking success

By Jonathan Wilson - The Chronicle-Journal

June 13, 2005

Organizers of the first-ever Rock the Fort festival have amazed even themselves at how “perfect” the concert turned out.

Almost 30,000 people are estimated to have taken in the festival over the event’s three days, headlined by classic rock bands like Glass Tiger, April Wine and Trooper .

“It’s fantastic. We’re really impressed,” Fort William Historical Park general manager Sergio Buonocore said Sunday. “(We) never expected such a wonderful event to unfold the way it is, everything’s smooth.”

Dozens of school buses shuttled fans to and from the Fort from parking lots at Arthur Street Marketplace and Northwood Park Plaza.

Buonocore said few details required changing, although organizers did increase the number of porta-potties and re-evaluated the method of transporting people off the site when the event wrapped up each day.

Early estimates peg the crowds at about 7,000 on Friday, more than 10,000 on Satuday, and almost 10,000 on Sunday.

Brewery officials reported almost 60,000 cans of beer were sold at tents on the site, and food and T-shirt vendors often had long line-ups of customers.

Police reported only minor incidents, most of them involving underage drinking.

The concert was presented by classic rock station The Giant 105.3. Station officials, upon seeing the huge crowds, didn’t want it to end.

“Day three has got me hoping for day four,” The Giant’s general manager Doug Anderson said Sunday. “I know it’s not going to happen, but it’s been incredible.”

Anderson said he knew it was going to be big, but he didn’t expect so many people to come early and stay for the entire day.

Teenagers born long after these bands’ heydays were seen singing along to the classic rock anthems. Anderson said 1970s and ’80s rock is back in vogue.

“I think it’s bigger than it ever has been, just the number of people who know the words to the songs,” he said.

Every band on the line-up card made it to the event, performing their hit songs and signing autographs for the fans who have stuck with them over the past two or three decades.

Buonocore said it was a special thrill for him and others from his generation.

“I’m in my mid-40s now, and I never really got to meet rock bands until working at the Fort,” he said with a laugh. “That’s a great thing about this job. I finally got to meet my rock and roll heroes.”

Anderson said The Giant is prepared to sign on for Rock the Fort 2006, if it’s held.

Buonocore said he can’t commit for next year just yet, because of the money and resources the event requires. But if he had to guess . . .

“I’m a probably a ‘yes’ kind of guy,” he said.

“I can tell you Thunder Bay needs more of this, and the Fort wants to be behind growing our community.”

Glass Tiger

April Wine



I haven't heard these guys in years.
[Edited 6/22/05 7:04am]

April Wine... I have to figure out what the song was that I bought the Album for... ....drivin me

Sure woulda luved to see that show..

pippet said:

Just Between You And Me?
Sign of the Gypsy Queen?

or my fave, All Over Town?


[Edited 6/22/05 7:02am]

Stax said:

It's just not ringin a bell...goona haveta go dig it out and give it a spin....

Thanks tho...will definately be given a listen to..

jus' seem so long ago ..

Stax said: