Warren hopes to woo visitors with series of cultural events

The state is sending another half-million dollars to the amphitheater.
WARREN -- A new and growing public entertainment venue in the city's historic heart will offer events this summer to attract people from across Northeast Ohio to Warren.
"This is free programming and it should be regional. It's not just a Warren thing," said Shelley Taylor, vice president of Trumbull 100. "People from all over Northeast Ohio should be enjoying this wonderful facility."
This summer, about 40 events are scheduled at the Warren Community Amphitheatre through Trumbull 100 and the Fine Arts Council of Trumbull County. There will be music for all ages, family fun events and movies.
About $120,000 is being spent on the series, supported financially by Trumbull 100, Rotary Club of Warren, St. Joseph Health Center, Warren Chamber Foundation, Sprint, Sky Bank and First Energy Foundation.
"We want to start raising awareness of this amphitheater," Taylor said. "It's in the heart of Warren, but Warren is easy to get to from other places."
The amphitheater seats 2,300, not including lawn seating, in a natural outdoor setting. It opened two years ago, its $1 million construction paid for by the state. Another $500,000 from the state for a roof and other improvements is on the way for more construction after this year's entertainment season ends.
Second season
It is the second summer season for the outdoor venue on the Mahoning River, adjacent to Perkins Park and the Kinsman House downtown. Last year's events attracted an estimated 25,000 people from June to September.
Most of the people were county residents, explained Bobbie Brown, FACT director. She's now working to advertise in regional publications and making presentations in the effort to attract visitors beyond the county's borders.
"It's the idea of a family outing. It's close, but not in your backyard, to explore and do something else," such as catching a dinner and pursuing other activities while in the city, Brown said. "So that someday, when they're thinking about a vacation destination and going from Point A to Point B, they'll stay overnight in Warren -- because they can count on something going on here."
Nearly 5,000 people found their way to the amphitheater on a hot day last September to see Democrat Sen. John Edwards from North Carolina during his unsuccessful bid for vice president. That event went a long way to showing off the amphitheater to outsiders, Taylor said.
Last summer, Warren was a host site for Ohio Chautauqua 2004: The Roaring Twenties. The amphitheater held lectures, music and theater as part of the events.
People love to see the arts, Taylor said, noting how events in Youngstown at Powers and Stambaugh auditoriums draw residents of Trumbull County, as do music venues in Cleveland and Pittsburgh. "We've got a great advantage here -- we're free," she said.
Future improvements
Even more improvements are on tap for next year's events.
City council last week approved an ordinance allowing an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the "funding and construction of the Warren Community Amphitheatre Riverwalk Stage House."
The $500,000 was secured by U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, working in conjunction with Mayor Michael O'Brien, Taylor, Brown and a committee.
There will be a roof added to the amphitheater, which now uses temporary, rented roofing for events.
"It's not a closed roof structure on the back end. You can still look through the amphitheater and see the river," Brown said. The back of the amphitheater will be closed off by an outdoor stage curtain as needed.
Also planned are improved drainage, dressing rooms and restrooms for performers, and a stairway on the right side of the amphitheater to improve access.
The amphitheater is part of the Riverwalk project, which links the Mahoning Avenue historical district with Courthouse Square and downtown. ODOT money was made available because the bike trail planned along the river is part of the transportation system, Taylor explained.
Construction is slated to begin at the end of the summer.
Trumbull 100 is a 65-member organization of business people and civic leaders working to make Trumbull County a better place. It has raised funds for the amphitheater project and also contributed its own dollars.
FACT is a private nonprofit organization that relies on corporate or foundation support and individual donations.
"People coming to our events show our sponsors that they value their gift," Brown said.
"This is such an asset to this area, and there are so many people trying to make it a good place to have a great summer," Taylor said. "It's a unique and beautiful venue."
For more information, call the Fine Arts Council of Trumbull County, (330) 399-1212.