Outboard Powerboat Racing Event Still Expected To 'Roar' Despite Tough Sledding From Economy

July 14, 2009 - PRLog -- Like many large outdoor festivals that rely on corporate sponsorship dollars, the National City Roar on the River has seen its budget shrink from a year ago.
   But due to some enterprising planning by Trenton Rotary, which organizes the event each year, loyal followers of “the Roar,” set for Friday-Sunday, July 24-26, at Elizabeth Park in Trenton, will be pleased to find out that quality of the event and the range of activities will not suffer much — if at all.
   “We’ve even been able to add a few new elements and make some changes that we think will make the event stronger this year and possibly in the years ahead as well,” Co-chairman Paul Jocks said.
   The only major element that has been scuttled entirely is the Saturday evening fireworks show, which had been sponsored the past two years by The Chrysler Foundation. “We knew going in that that probably was not going to happen this year,” Jocks said.
   But Trenton Rotary hopes to offset that loss by generating some new excitement with the addition of “Roarstock,” a musical festival intended to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Woodstock. Fifty Amp Fuse, a big hit last year when it made its Roar on the River debut, will return to headline the entertainment Friday evening, Auditions held this past spring resulted in the selection of five other metro-area bands that will perform for an hour each on Saturday evening. Those bands are Category 5, Electric Playground, Rockhouse, The Wall Clocks and Wisteria.
Jocks said the Rotary committee that oversees the Roar has worked diligently to find cost savings while minimizing any negative impact on the various other events that are part of the weekend. Overall sponsorship dollars are down about 25 percent to this point, but that is being offset through a variety of cost-saving efforts that should be mostly invisible to attendees. Efforts have been made to develop some new lower-cost sponsor opportunities as well, including a “Friends of the Races” program that costs only $50.
               And the annual Friday night party, “A Taste of the Races,” appears to be as strong as ever. A total of 36 area restaurants and caterers have committed to participate, only two fewer than last year, said event Chairman Lynn Nolan.
               The taste-fest-style event will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. and precede the concert by Fifty Amp Fuse. In a nod to the economy, Nolan said, the event’s organizers for the first time are offering a discounted rate for blocks of 10 or more tickets. The individual price is $35 dollars, but only $30 under the group purchase option. The Rotary Club also is utilizing the party as an opportunity to collect non-perishable food items for the local food pantry. Attendees are being asked to bring an item to donate.
   The highlight of the weekend, of course, is outboard powerboat racing, and Racing Coordinator Fred Miller said he expects competition to be heated this year since Trenton is the site of UIM-sanctioned APBA World Championships in the two main racing classes — SST 120 (F2) and SST 45 (F3).
   “From the boat-racers’ standpoint, they love coming to Trenton,” said Miller, a veteran boat racer and former Trenton resident and business owner. “They love our Friday-night party, and they love watching the Jet Ski entertainment from the riverbank. “It’s a great atmosphere for the event, and Elizabeth Park is a great location.”
   Other featured racing crafts will include two-man inflatables and stock runabouts, as well as a “junior” hydro class that will feature the next generation of racers.
   Other key activities returning this year include the Roar in the Park classic car show (Sunday), the Children’s Fun Fair (Saturday and Sunday) and the Typhoon Tommy Jet Ski stunt show (all weekend).
   Another added event this year is a special military salute slated for noon Saturday. Efforts are under way to have a military flyover as part of the salute. The event also is expecting to be the site of special visits by the Pistons’ Automotion dance team from 2-4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
   Trenton Rotary Club has been organizing this event as one of its club community service projects since 1976, and it’s a challenging endeavor that encompasses a wide range of planning efforts.
   “It’s a great event: a great community event,” said Brad O’Connor, the incoming club president, who also serves as site management director for the Roar. “It will be more of a challenge this year, but we’re thankful for all the sponsors we have at every level.
   National City, which is currently going through a merger with Pittsburgh-based PNC Bank, will again serve as the title sponsor for the event. Gorno Ford is returning as the lead sponsor for the classic car show.
   Volunteers are the lifeblood of an event like this, and the Roar weekend needs them to help out with a variety of activities.
   Along with the traditional volunteers, committee member Linda Francetich noted everyone from teen-agers to senior citizens are encouraged to lend a hand.
   “We want high school kids, too,” she said. “If they need to perform community service hours, we can use people ages 14 and over.”
   More about the event can be found at www.trentonroarontheriver.com

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Information provided by HPR Media & Promotional Services on behalf of the Trenton, Michigan, Rotary Club, which organizes and runs the National City Roar on the River. HPR is a publicity firm owned an operated by Joe Hoshaw.