Mentor Names Headliner For Mentor CityFest

The city of Mentor wanted something classic and timeless as their headlining performer during the new Mentor CityFest.

And, also, it had to fit within their budget.

"Finding the entertainment has been the biggest piece of the puzzle," said Jill Korsok, of the Mentor Parks and Recreation Department. "It took quite awhile to find what we were looing for that would appeal to everybody and fit our budget."

And what did they decide on that was both timeless and affordable?

The music of the Beatles.

A Chicago-based Beatles tribute band, BritBeat, will perform a concert at Jerome T. Osborne Stadium on Aug. 24 -- the second and final night of the festival.

After the concert, there will a fireworks show. (To be clear, this show is not replacing the annual fireworks show on The Fourth of July.)

BritBeat may be the biggest band performing at the CityFest but it is not the only one.

Mentor Parks and Recreation asked the public to recommend bands on their Facebook page and one name that kept coming up was Disco Inferno.

Consequently, Disco Inferno -- who specialize in the dance and funk music of the 1970s -- will perform Aug. 23 at the amphitheater in Civic Center Park.

The finalists for a summer-long Battle of the Bands competition will perform before Disco Inferno.

The CityFest is a complete revamping and revisioning of the traditional It's Better In Mentor Festival that will coincide with the city's 50th anniversary.

However, the city is not abandoning all aspects of IBIM. The summer festival will still feature performances from local karate, dance and gymnastics studios, as well as the annual 5K run and parade.

However, CityFest will be adding several new features. As previously discussed, the city plans to replace the rides with inflateables.

The city plans to use the Mentor Ice Arena and Civic Center Pool for events like indoor laser tag and recycling regattas, respectively.

Mentor has also contracted with Cincinnati Circus, which will provide street performers like magicians, stilt walkers and more, as well as a trapeze ride that lets people know what it's like to swing above the big top.

One thing the circus does not have, Korsok clarified, is animals.

Mentor CityFest is expected to cost the city between $80,000 and $90,000, which is similar to the expense of It's Better In Mentor Festival.

The city of Mentor is looking for both sponsors and volunteers to help with Mentor CityFest.

Anyone that would like to join a festival committee can call the Mentor Parks & Recreation Department at 440-974-5720.