Roxfest returns at a new location
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
CORTLAND
Roxfest is moving to the outdoor concert facility at the Lake Tavern this year.
The music festival will be Friday and Saturday at the tavern, 6071 state Route 46. It had taken place at Buffalo Hollow in Petersburg the past three years.
“The Lake Tavern is perfect for Roxfest because it is much easier to find ... which was our biggest complaint about Roxfest in the past,” said Roxanne Johnson, founder and organizer of the event.
“Also, the Lake Tavern already has two outdoor stages, some of the best food in Trumbull County and it’s right on Mosquito Lake.”
The tavern will handle most of the food and drink concessions and will staff two outdoor bars. Several other food and merchandise vendors also will be on the site.
Roxfest will begin Friday with a bike night from 4 to 8 p.m. and a screening of the cult film “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at midnight in the campground.
There will be fewer bands at the festival this year in order to give each one more playing time.
“Sometimes festivals get too fast paced with too many bands in a short period of time,” said Johnson.
While Roxfest tends toward harder-edged rock, it also has an array of different styles, including Johnson’s new acoustic act, Sweet Sacrifice, as well as the popular cover band Fetish.
“Another interesting add this year is Y.O. Kiddzz, a group of 11- to 14-year-olds that totally rock,” said Johnson. “You never know what you will find at Roxfest.”
Johnson’s band, Skull’Rz Bane, will close the festival with its set Saturday night.
For ticket information, go to roxfest.com.