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Rock on The River made a profit says TFEC (3 photos)

Second edition of volunteer based festival 'a definite success on all accounts'
Andrew Autio, freelance
Andrew Autio, freelance

The Timmins Festivals and Events Committee (TFEC) has announced that the second edition of the Rock On The River festival turned a profit.

"After a month of crunching numbers and doing more math than any human should have to do, TFEC is proud to say Rock On The River 2017 is a definite success on all accounts. Increased attendance, more community incorporation, all ages shows, multi genre artists and more, all leading towards a profitable festival, and bigger and better events in the future," read a TFEC press release.

Though an exact number isn't being made public, the non-profit organization says that all profits from this year's event are going towards next year's third edition of the burgeoning festival.

Following up 2016's debut which featured The Glorious Sons, Pop Evil, and Monster Truck, 2017 saw a diversification in artists with alternative pop acts Coleman Hell and Tyler Shaw and Canadian hip-hop icon Classified included to go along with rock mainstays such as Big Wreck and Finger Eleven.

TFEC says there was 15 per cent overall attendance increase compared to year one for the two-day event.

The committee is also proud of the side stage that allowed local musicians to play in between acts on the main stage, which ensured festival patrons never went more than a few minutes without live music.

ROTR Saturday CrowdMusic fans came out in droves for the second edition of Rock On The River. Andrew Autio for TimminsToday

As for spin-off benefits, the nightly 50/50 draws saw over $2,000 raised for the Timmins roller derby team, and that by partnering with Vets Taxi's Nobody Gets Left Out in the Cold program, the event saw over $25,000 donated to local food banks.

TFEC also thanked local media, community sponsors, the 50 plus volunteers for "running a tight ship", as well as all ticket buyers.

"All of these people are the reason we're able to work towards our goal of an affordable, musical community in Timmins," said the release.

The group also said it will consider every bit of feedback they have received on this year's edition of the festival. The group is planning the next fundraiser for Rock On The River 2018 at an event on Oct. 14, but no further details have been released at this time.