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Thousands expected at R.I.O.T. on the River in Falls

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August 18, 2010

by Pamela Engel

Reporter

Cuyahoga Falls -- Organizers of the 14th annual R.I.O.T. on the River youth music festival expect between 2,000 and 3,000 people to attend this year's Aug. 21 event, which will feature five local musical acts, a Guitar Hero contest and other festival activities.

Youth ministers and leaders in the Akron area organized R.I.O.T. (Righteous Invasion of Truth) on the River, which is a free event open to the public and aimed at kids and teens who want the opportunity to develop a relationship with God.

The festival will take place in downtown Cuyahoga Falls at Falls River Square on Aug. 21 from 5 to 11 p.m. Gates open at 4 p.m. Falls River Square is located along Broad Boulevard off of Route 8 in Cuyahoga Falls.

"Last year it rained all day long, and as soon as the music started, it stopped [raining]," said Marcia Durkee, R.I.O.T. on the River event coordinator. "There were only 1,500 to 1,700 people last year, [but] we are really anticipating close to 2,000 to 3,000 people this year because the groups that are [performing] are well-known in this area."

This year, Divine Soldiers, Homecoming, Von Isley, Mercy Rising and Jay Michael will be performing. The artists' musical styles range from pop to hip-hop to hard rock. Rob Deveney will serve as this year's emcee.

Some of the performers are returning from last year, and Divine Soldiers is this year's special guest. The Akron-based group -- "one of the most recognized and independent holy hip-hop bands in the United States," according to the event's website -- has performed at R.I.O.T. three separate times.

Jeremiah Fox will also perform "feats of strength and endurance," according to a R.I.O.T. on the River press release.

New to the festival this year is the Guitar Hero playoff, in which contestants will compete for the chance to face off on-stage and win an acoustic guitar.

"The top two scorers will be having a playoff on the stage, under the lights," Durkee said.

The festival will also feature an interactive water fountain, a kids' bouncer inflatable, games, merchandise and festival food. Chick-Fil-A and Christian Blue Pages are gold sponsors of the event and will also have booths set up. The companies each donated upward of $2,000.

"[The festival] is free and these are quality bands; people are going to hear some great music," Durkee said.

For more information and for those interested in volunteering, contact Marcia Durkee at 330-671-6291 or e-mail riot4jc@juno.com.

E-mail: pengel@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088, ext. 3145




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