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Organizers hope change in focus will save longtime Beloit music festival

BELOIT — They’ve displayed ample dedication and determination over the years. However, Riverfest organizers are banking on faith more than ever in preparing for the 24th annual music festival July 8-11 at Riverside Park.

A tough economy, the weather-related cancellation of the first night of entertainment in 2008 and the rising cost of signing high-profile musical acts exacerbated growing financial problems that have the festival almost $150,000 in debt.

Although they could have pulled the plug on one of the community’s cultural mainstays, the Riverfest board and volunteers have acknowledged their mistakes and are determined to remake the festival and repay creditors.

To accomplish those goals, they’re returning to Riverfest’s roots. Gone are major rock’n’roll acts like the Beach Boys, in favor of more diverse — and less expensive — local and regional entertainers.

“Over the years, Riverfest delivered a little of everything and then became more of a classic rock show, but unfortunately, we were missing out on a lot of (musical) markets,” said Will Rinehart, a first-year board member and co-chairman of the Entertainment Committee. “Besides, the fact these acts were too expensive, attendance was way down the last couple of years, and a big part was because of the music we were offering.”

Or not offering.

And so the change in attitude and format. This year’s event, which still features three main stages, will offer something for myriad musical tastes, including rock, metal, country, reggae, R&B, hip-hop, jazz, blues and gospel.

“A big part of this is giving back to the community, so that’s why we’re emphasizing local and regional acts,” Rinehart said. “We feel this will be the biggest festival like this in the Midwest.

Read the full story in the May 23, 2010 e-edition of The Stateline News, HERE.