ORGANIZERS DEEM FESTIVAL A SUCCESS: ROCK 'N' ROSES

By Jayette Bolinski

Well-behaved crowds and an excellent volunteer base have organizers of the fourth annual City of Roses Music Festival calling the event a success.

Organizer Brad Graham said Friday night's festivities went off without a hitch and expected the same during for Saturday night's shows.

"Everybody expects the worst, but it never happens," Graham said. "Everybody has been great. The crowd at the River Campus they're all under 21 they were great."

Graham estimated Friday night's crowd at about 1,100, and more than 1,500 for Saturday night. Mild weather and more acts likely contributed to the turnout.

This year's festival featured 55 bands, ranging from country blues and rock to Christian contemporary and swing.

Two changes implemented for this year's show the addition of the Spanish Street Stage and the City of Roses music scholarships also were called successful.

"We grew up this way by adding the Spanish Street Stage," Graham said. "People sat up on the hill last night. It's a great spot to watch a concert."

Wes Wade, festival volunteer coordinator, said the festival volunteers made his job a lot easier.

"The volunteers I had were wonderful. We just needed a lot more of them," Wade said. "Last night we did OK, but tonight might be pretty thin."

"It's a real good thing for the festival and the community and SEMO," Graham said. "The people are great, and we appreciate them coming out and supporting all the bands."