Steve Augeri Band headlines Oregon fest

6/26/2012

Oregon's third annual Boomfest at the Grove is to be Saturday from 2 p.m. to midnight at Oak Shade Grove, 3624 Seaman Rd. It is to feature a car show, music, food, drinks, and the city's Independence Day fireworks display.

Mayor Mike Seferian said he was expecting more than 10,000 people to attend. Admission and parking are free.

"We're looking for a good turnout this year because more people know about it and because of the caliber of the entertainment," he explained.

The headliner will be the Steve Augeri Band, which is to perform from 8 to 10 p.m. Augeri was the lead vocalist for the band Journey from 1998 to 2006 and is to perform many of Journey's hits. Journey recorded three albums during his tenure as its front man.

Before joining Journey, he was a founding member of Tall Stories, which performed from 1992 to 1996. He then joined the group Tyketto, which recorded the album Shine. His first solo album is pending, and he is planning a world tour.

The live entertainment begins at 4 p.m. with Kentucky Chrome, a local rock-a-billy band, and Arctic Clam, a cover band featuring vocals by Nicole Khoury, a Toledo criminal defense attorney.

The Cruisin' in the Grove Car Show is scheduled from 2 to 6 p.m.

Jerry Thompson, the organizer, said he expected upward of 300 showpiece cars, all lovingly restored, to be on display on the grass in front of Oak Shade Grove.

A disc jockey is to award cash prizes to the car owners at a drawing every half hour or so. The cars come in from all over the area, with many from Michigan, he said.

"They're mostly American cars, but every once in a while you get a Volkswagen with a big engine," he explained.

The cost of the Boomfest will be about $45,000. The $18,000 cost of the fireworks is being covered by BP-Husky Refinery.

Other corporate donors are Toledo Refining Group, Bay Park Community Hospital, Toledo Edison, and Holiday Inn Express.

-- Carl Ryan