Rain fails to halt Party on the Plaza, chases it inside Buffalo Wild Wings

YOUNGSTOWN — The Party on the Plaza is rolling on despite uncooperative weather.

Doug Esenwein, regional manager for Buffalo Wild Wings, recalled the rainstorms Friday that raked the plaza on its first event in late May.

The event was the kickoff for the downtown outdoor summer entertainment season.

Early Friday, after hearing a wet weather forecast for the evening, Esenwein decided to bag the outdoor performance and move it inside the restaurant.

“It will still be a nice show,” Esenwein said.

The event has been doing well despite Mother Nature.

After the wet beginning, the weather was great for the next series of performances, he said.

Esenwein said he always is looking at possible changes, such as bigger events, more bands or earlier starts.

“It may be what the community may have an interest in,” he said.

The downtown has also been rejuvenated in recent years, he said. There are more activities, such as at the Covelli Centre, and more bars and restaurants downtown.

The main band Friday was The Rage. Mark Hagan of Youngstown was working with the electrical equipment before the performance Friday. He said people can come downtown for a good time.

When asked if he plays as a full-time job, he said, “I wish.”

But he added, “People want a good time. They still want a whole lot more.”

The national economic problems have cut attendance for live bands.

Wendell Forman of Liberty has been a fan of The Rage for several years.

He was with his friends, Jerod Edely of Hubbard and Nick Rango of Youngstown.

Rango said that he believed The Rage and The House Band are the two best bands in the area.

The House Band got bumped Friday from an early performance because of the weather forecast. That left The Rage as the sole act. But there are very few places left in the area that book live bands, he said.

PARTY ON THE PLAZA: Final event

The Party on the Plaza in downtown Youngstown is winding down for 2009.

The party will have its last event of the year Sept. 11.

Frequent Season will perform at 8 p.m., and Rudy and the Professionals will perform at 10:30 p.m.

Admission is free.

Performances will be outside, weather permitting.

Source: Douglas Esenwein, manager of Buffalo Wild Wings