Rock the Park Concert Series Expands for 2011

Twinsburg music fans will find an expanded menu and venue at Glen Chamberlin Park’s Rock the Park concert series this year.

In its fourth year at the Perici Ampitheatre, Rock the Park will feature six Friday-night performances this year from Northeast Ohio cover bands, up from four performances last year.

“We had a huge response last year,” said Derek Schroeder, parks and recreation director. “One concert sold out at 1,300 people. This year, we have one of our strongest lineups yet for the six shows.”

The concert series kicks off June 10 with Arrival, a tribute to Journey. Tickets cost $13 at the door, but can be purchased on the website for $10 in advance. Concerts are for people 21 years old or older, and although the park has served beer in the past, this year it will also be serving wine for the first time.

To accommodate the growing attendance, trees and shrubs were cleared out allowing for an additional 1,000 square yards and increasing the maximum capacity by 900 people.

“It’s like a mini Blossom without the seating,” Schroeder said.

In the past, the summer concert series started out with small concerts in Twinsburg square and steadily grew over time. The first official Rock the Park season at Perici Ampitheatre took place four years ago and featured a concert benefiting Twinsburg Police Officer Joshua Miktarian, who was killed in the line of duty.

Schroeder says competition from other area venues, such as Rock the Lock at Lock 3 park in Akron or Rocking on the River in Cuyahoga Falls won’t affect attendance.

“We draw more people from the north,” he said. “For us, it’s simple. It’s about the music.  No opening acts. I’d say 75 percent of people are getting together in the neighborhood to come up and have a good time.”

Although the Twinsburg community comprises the main audience, Schroeder says Rock the Park draws people from all over. “We’re in all the surrounding newspapers,” he said. “I’m hoping ... (the concert series) moves beyond the community a bit more, to be a destination for people on Friday nights.”

Schroeder said sponsors help with marketing efforts and make the event possible. Strachan Casale, Inc., an insurance broker, and Grange Insurance provide the bulk of the sponsorship, as well as the discount for tickets purchased in advance.