Many lessons, good and bad were learned, and organizers of Riverfest are already back at the table generating ideas to make next year's event bigger and better.

This year's third annual concert event, which took place July 20 at Irvin N. Anderson Amphitheater, marked the first year that the concert was presented in a new partnership between the International Falls Rotary Club and the Backus Community Center. The two previous events were presented by the International Falls Economic Development Authority.

“We're trying to build a better event for those who attended as well as those who didn't,” said Ward Merrill, executive director of Backus.

This year's concert brought four tribute bands to the venue and organizers said about 1,000 people attended the event. 

In a letter distributed to sponsors of this year's event, organizers said plans for next summer's concert include:

  • Securing a big name band..
  • Beginning the planning process immediately
  • Engaging the assistance of an experienced music agent/producer.
  • Selecting July 5 as the concert date.
  • Linking Riverfest to another community event.
  • Considering another financial partner.
  • Shortening the length of the event.
  • Including more vendors.

Merrill said when Backus and Rotary took over the planning process, it was uncertain what kind of profit would be made.

“Truthfully, we realized we had a late start on the project and we didn't know if we'd make a profit the first year,” he said.

And while the groups “pretty much broke even,” Merrill said organizers are not discouraged.

“We made a three-year commitment to this and that is still the intention,” he said.

Comments made on The Journal's website and Facebook page prior to the July 20 event were not in favor of the concert's headliner band, Arch Allies. In the previous two years, Arch Allies opened for Loverboy and 38 Special, respectively. Merrill said Arch Allies was familiar with the venue and gave organizers “a good package deal,” which contributed to why they were asked to front the concert.

“We realized we're not going to have Arch Allies again next year,” Merrill said.

Robin Bjorkquist, event coordinator at Backus, said the public is being asked for its input on what people want to see on the main stage.

“We need to know what the public wants,” she said. “We're looking at all genres of music.”

She stressed that when people make suggestions, they need to mention specific band names. Ideas can be given to Bjorkquist at 285-7225, via email at backusab.org or on the organization's Facebook page.

Merrill said with limited finances available to put into the event, it would be difficult to secure “expensive, big name bands.”

“We want people to keep in mind that the purpose of Rotary and Backus doing this is to provide a quality community event and raise money for youth programs,” he said. “Whatever we do make on the event, we will put back into the community in youth programs.”

Organizers are hoping to tie in the community's Fourth of July festivities with Riverfest, as was done during the first two years.

“We want to avoid conflicting events like Moon Dance and We Fest,” Merrill said. “We are certainly trying to avoid every conflict we can with local events.”

On the same note, Merrill said the date isn't set in stone and is contingent on securing a band.

“If we can get a bigger band here but not until the weekend after July 5, we will take that into consideration when setting the date,” he said.

The organizer said the two groups have thrown around the idea of another financial partner. He said cash up front is needed for a down payment on a band and both Rotary and Backus will increase financial commitments for next summer.

“Engaging in a third partner will give us more cash up front for a bigger name band,” Merrill said. “It is definitely an idea.”

Merrill concluded that no big events spring to life overnight and Backus and Rotary are looking to build on what was done the first year to weed out mistakes and emphasize on what was done right.

“We've taken all the comments we've received to heart, both positive and negative,” he said. “I think people will be impressed with what happens next summer.”

A website has been created where community members may keep updated on the progress of Riverfest 2014 and, eventually, be able to buy tickets for the event when available. For more information, visit www.riverfestifalls.com.