Journey tribute act E5C4P3 to open Lorain County Fair

WELLINGTON — Journey tribute band E5C4P3 is belting out a message for everyone who hated missing the Lorain County Fair last year: Don't stop believin'. After being closed to the public in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the fair is planning to welcome visitors back with "Open Arms" on Aug. 22-29. E5C4P3 will headline this year's entertainment schedule on opening night, playing the grandstand Monday. "Just being able to play in front of people, that's what it's all about. Last year was rough on everybody," bassist Paul Soos said. "It's a lot of fun. We really missed it." Most of the band's gigs were canceled last year. Now the 2021 summer slate is full, with about 40 shows planned, he said. Members of E5C4P3 are no strangers to Lorain County and plan to make multiple appearances here this year. In addition to the fair, they will also play Rockin' on the River on Aug. 7, at Black River Landing in Lorain. Soos helped found the tribute band in 1993 with Steve Perry impersonator Jason Kelty. E5C4P3 prides itself on reproducing Perry-era songs with note-for-note accuracy. Journey's catalog is full of huge hits that have been radio staples for more than 40 years and appeal to listeners across generations. The biggest crowd reaction always comes when the band breaks out "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Separate Ways," Soos said. "I think it's the songwriting," he said. "It's accessible. It's fun. It's catchy. It's got a hook and you can really groove to it." Tickets are $10 each. All grandstand tickets will go on sale starting July 9, at loraincountyfair.com/entertainment. Tuesday night's grandstand entertainment will kick off at 7 p.m. with a rodeo. It will be the first rodeo at the venue since 2009, according to Fair Secretary Charisse Nikel. A Bar Rodeo, of Bluffton, will provide the bull-riding, cowboys and cowgirls and lots of family-friendly clowning around. About 9 p.m., the country band Post Road will take the stage to play both covers and original songs. The Northeast Ohio-based band is known for songs "Drinking for Two," "Godspeed" and "Living in the Fast Lane" and has opened for acts such as Smash Mouth and Rodney Atkins. Drummer Dave Vogrin said that after being largely sidelined for 2020 due to the pandemic — like E5C4P3 and most other touring acts — Post Road is eager to get back on stage. "We just want to get back out there," he said. "We want to share our music." Tickets for both the rodeo and concert are $10. The OSTPA truck pull is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 25. Tickets are $10. The NTPA Grand National Pull is set for 6:30 p.m. Aug. 27. Tickets are $15. The combine derby and truck and van derby will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 28. Tickets are $15. And the big closer will be the always highly anticipated demolition derby at 4 p.m. Aug. 29. Tickets are $15. When choosing this year's entertainment, cost savings were definitely part of the decision, Fair Board President Marie Waite said. She is hoping for an attendance spike this year, because keeping the gates closed in 2020 left finances thin. The fair should be back on track for normal operations now that Ohio's health orders have been canceled, but Waite said she's holding her breath and hoping there's no resurgence of COVID-19 that could dash those hopes. "You never know what's going to happen. We could get to August and COVID will well up again," she said. "That would be a disaster, so we're being cautious." Weather is the other unpredictable factor, since a rainout can hurt even in a good year. Storms anywhere in the county — even if it's sunny in Wellington — can take a big toll, she said. Contact Jason Hawk at (440) 329-7122 or news@lcnewspapers.com.