Roxodus officials try to put fears to rest

An extensive operations plan is forthcoming, which will help answer questions about the logistics of pulling off a large-scale music festival at Edenvale Aerodrome, said organizer Mike Dunphy. 

He and his partner Fab Loranger were at Monday’s Clearview council meeting to address concerns about Roxodus, a classic rock festival July 11-13, boasting headliners Nickelback, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Kid Rock. 

Roxodus Music Festival is being advertised as a weekend of live music on two stages, food, camping, vendors, skydiving, helicopter and sightseeing rides.

Dunphy, an area resident, organizes the Wasaga Beach Motorcycle Rally, which he says is the largest annual motorcycle rally in Canada, attracting more than 75,000 motorcycles and organizes the Heroes Festival in 2018, attracting 25,000 people to Wasaga Beach for an airshow featuring the Snowbirds and celebrating the military and first responders. He and Loranger are the principals of MF Live and Roxodus.

Dunphy said they purchased 170 acres of property to enhance the festival grounds for what they hope will become an annual event.

He said the way the event plan is currently configured there is capacity for 40,000 attendees but there is potential to accommodate up to 100,000. 

Permits from various agencies are required to hold the event, road access, liquor licensing, food services and municipal bylaw compliance. Dunphy said those applications all hinge on the operations plan.

The transformation of the property, including the clear cutting, and the lack of communication has been a cause of concern for neighbours. 

A neighbourhood meeting was held to address concerns. Dunphy said he has committed to providing security for residents living in the area and some type of compensation. 

Dunphy said they have partnered with industry professionals to ensure everything is done properly, including stage set-up, traffic plans and road upgrades.

They say the festival will have a huge economic spin-off in the area.

“Local businesses will see a surge in business never before seen in Clearview Township,” he said. 

Caterers are required to source a large percentage of local suppliers, there will be many local food businesses and local vendors will not be charged for a booth in the vendor market, said Dunphy. There won’t be any cash used on site, all purchases will be made with pre-loaded Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) bracelets.

He is also promising local charities will see over $40,000 in donations, including the fire department, library, and Clearview Minor Hockey Association.

There are many types of camping offered, some in a perimeter off 15/16 Sideroad. 

A couple of residents voiced concerns about tree removal on 80 acres, and noise.

“With all due respect, this is not my first rodeo. We have done everything by the book,” said Dunphy. “We are not trying to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes.”

He said all the musicians have been paid in full.

A three-day pass costs $299, VIP passes cost $599. For more information and tickets, visit roxodus.com.