AEROSMITH Most Expensive Act To Hit Sarnia's BAYFEST

July 24, 2007

Tara Hagan of Ontario, Canada's The Sarnia Observer reports that this past weekend's Sarnia Bayfest — which featured performances by AEROSMITH and NICKELBACK, among others — was undoubtedly the biggest yet, so it's no surprise that it came with a hefty price tag.

Organizer Michele Stokley said total costs to stage the event exceeded $4 million, making it the most expensive in the concert's nine-year history.

Stokley and husband, Jim, are the brains behind the annual summer music extravaganza, leaving many to wonder just how the power couple pulls it off.

"That used to be the biggest thing," Stokley said of public perception that they bring in big bucks from the event.

But that's not the case, she said.

"This year, we didn't make any money," she said, noting their purchase of a $300,000 stage and big name acts like AEROSMITH and NICKELBACK.

"It's just a huge, huge risk to put this on."

She added that the couple doesn't receive any outside funding, unlike in Charlottetown, where the P.E.I. government doled out CAD $350,000 to help bring AEROSMITH to town for a show Sunday.

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