What would be better than four days of Rock The Park?
What would be better than four days of Rock the Park?
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Organizers are thinking it might be adding a fifth day to bring some “country” to the annual music festival in downtown London’s Harris Park
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Monday, city politicians will consider an exemption request beyond the four-day limit for special events so Rock the Park organizers can add a fifth date to the July 10-13 music festival, possibly for a night of country artists.
Brad Jones, president of Jones Entertainment Group, said via email that nothing has been confirmed for a fifth night, but they’re “just looking at a few options right now and one of them could be a country night.”
Before making any decisions, Jones said they need to make sure Harris Park is available for Tuesday, July 9.
After council’s community and protective services committee debates the request next week, it’ll go to full council for a final approval or rejection on April 2.
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It wouldn’t be the first time Rock the Park has been given an exemption to the existing policy. The festival was given permission for an extra night in 2015, 2017 and 2022.
The festival had a successful country night in 2022 with music star Dierks Bentley headlining the show. There was no designated lineup of country artists in 2023.
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In a letter to politicians, Jones said Rock the Park supports four local charities and, given that London has been deemed Canada’s first UNESCO City of Music, an additional night of entertainment should be welcomed.
As many as 10,000 people would expect an additional night of music, he said. The economic benefits would be felt by hotels, restaurants and retailers, Jones said in the letter.
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A city staff report said the exemption request would not exceed policy guidelines that allow Harris Park to host five major events with a total of 12 days of amplified sound each year.
Rock the Park is celebrating its 20th anniversary this summer.. The lineup so far is:
- Wednesday July 10: Nickelbackthe Glorious Sons, the Tea Party, Crown Lands
- Thursday July 11: Tyler Childersthe Strumbellas, Sam Barber
- Friday July 12: Nas, Ne-Yo, Lil Jon, Sean Kingston
- Saturday July 13: Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Alan Doyle and the Sheepdogs
London’s summertime music festival scene recently suffered a major blow: The Home County Music and Art Festival, the city’s longest-running music festival, announced in October it would not be holding its annual three-day event in July because of financial issues. It was first held in 1974 and it’s future is in doubt.
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