After incurring around $129,000 in expenses for police protection and setup for the annual Roar on the Shore motorcycle rally, the City of Erie asked for reimbursement from event organizers. But now the massive rally is moving to Lake Erie Speedway when ongoing discussions about recouping money broke down. Erie Mayor Joe Schember says the city wanted 50% of its costs back from last year, while organizers offered 1/3. And after the city requested 100% of future costs, Roar organizers decided to move the event to the North East race track.
A statement from Roar on the Shore Executive Director Ralph J. Pontillo:
Roar on the Shore Inc. is a nonprofit 501c(3) charitable organization whose mission is to raise charitable funds for worthy nonprofits within our community. For the past 12 years, we have raised more than $940,000 in private dollars for local charities that helps them serve the community.
Roar on the Shore continues to grow each year. With that growth comes more challenges. As a result, we began the process of exploring alternate sites for the event — one that would allow us to fulfill our charitable purpose and meet the needs of our sponsors, vendors and the tens of thousands of visitors who join us each year. We are pleased to announce we have secured that spot. Starting this year, Lake Erie Speedway will be the home of Roar on the Shore.
While we regret this necessary move, it is appropriate to acknowledge that Roar would not have grown so rapidly and so successfully without the critical support of the citizens of Erie. We are grateful for that support and are proud we will continue to raise those charitable funds on behalf of our community.
Our new facility will triple the space currently available in Perry Square. The speedway’s grandstands will allow for concert seating. Vendor Alley will expand its footprint to allow easy access to our vendors. The facility’s massive footprint area will provide ample parking. For added convenience, the speedway offers covered table seating and concessions, numerous full-service bars as well as stadium restrooms.
As it has been for the past 12 years, Roar on the Shore will not impose gate or concert fees. Rides will not be affected by the venue change. Concerts will take place at Lake Erie Speedway at their original time listed on the schedule. The same route for the annual Bringin’ in the Roar Parade will remain up to the City limit and then be rerouted to the new “Hub” at Lake Erie Speedway.
In the next several weeks, Roar on the Shore will make several exciting major announcements, each having a major impact on this year’s event and on our future growth.
