Rockin' on the River 2023 schedule announced (VIDEO)

LORAIN — It's a sure sign of spring when promoter Bob Earley is at the Lorain Port Authority. Earley joined Lorain Port Authority Executive Director Tom Brown and Assistant Director Tiffany McClelland on Wednesday to announce the lineup for the 2023 Rockin' on the River season. Tribute bands are the top bill for the summer concert series Fridays and some Saturdays at Black River Landing starting May 26 through Sept. 15. "This is our ninth year in the greatest town, the most welcoming town, in the town with the biggest heart I've ever been to," Earley said. "In eight years, we've never had an arrest, we've never had a fight … we've never had anything other than (family-friendly entertainment)." While this year's lineup didn't include Judge Jim Walther's favorite ELO tribute band — something that jokingly saw a warrant issued for Earley's arrest. Pranks aside, the season has 18 new bands, 10 of which have never played at Black River Landing, Earley said. But it also has returning favorites, like E5C4P3, a Journey tribute, on June 17, and Wish You Were Here, a Pink Floyd tribute, on July 8. All shows, unless otherwise marked, are $7, and children 12 and younger are free, Earley said. And while neighboring cities and counties may have summer concert series, Early said nothing beats Rockin' on the River — now heading into its ninth year in the International City. "Think of how many of your neighboring towns try to do summer concerts. … It's our 37th year, we kicked their a-- and we'll kick their a-- again," he said. "God bless them, we've got the best fans, so come and get us." Brown said Earley has been booking bands for the 2023 season since last fall, and he was just as surprised by some of the acts listed Wednesday afternoon as the attendees were. In the midst of the 2023 Rockin' on the River season, the Lorain Port Authority will continue its fundraising for upgrades to Black River Landing. In August, Brown and others from the Port unveiled plans to revamp the riverfront venue, hoping to accommodate up to 20,000 people and boast an oval-shaped stage, while connecting the festival grounds to Broadway. The project has received $995,000 in funds from the city, and the same from the county, Brown said. It hopes to see federal earmarks and other sponsorships to raise the other half of its $10 million fundraising goal sooner rather than later, he said. He said the vinyl for the stage will be going up in the next few weeks — a sure sign of summer in Lorain. "I assure you the last year of the vinyl, whether it's last year or next year, we're going to get that cut into about 1,000 different pieces and number them and let people have a piece of that tent," he said. But Brown assured attendees any construction the Port does at Black River Landing will be in the off-season, promising not to disrupt Rockin' on the River, the Summer Market or any other well-known outdoor event. To see a full list of the 2023 Rockin' on the River schedule and to purchase tickets, visit rockinontheriver.com/events. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.