Rockin’ on the River concert showcasing what direction Fort Myers is trending

Reporter: Taylor Wirtz Writer: Paul Dolan
Published: Updated:
Rockin on the River
Huge crowds came to the Rockin’ on the River concert in downtown Fort Myers. (CREDIT: WINK News)

The free Rockin’ on the River concert in downtown Fort Myers series kicks off Tuesday night at the new Caloosa Sound Amphitheater.

The energy permeated throughout the Caloosa Sound Amphitheater on Tuesday night. Southwest Floridians, both young and old, came out in full force to celebrate the amphitheater’s inaugural concert featuring alternative rock band The Fixx.

“We grew up with the 80s music and we love it. So we’re really excited about it,” concertgoer Shane Cooney said.

Tuesday night represents just how far the city has come, Kevin Anderson, the mayor of Fort Myers said.

“This has been multiple decades worth of work,” Anderson said. “And now we’re really seeing the benefit of it. And it only continues, it’s going to continue to get better.”

Bob Megazzini the general manager for the Luminary Hotel & Company agrees with the mayor.

“I came to Fort Myers a year before the hotel even opened. So for me to be here tonight and seeing all you know, 2000 people here tonight, and this place activated,” Megazzini said. “With the community coming together. It’s kind of was the vision of what we set out to do when we built the hotel.”

Bill Aichholc and many other concertgoers told WINK News they feel the city is trending in the right direction.

“We love to see what they’re doing down here. It’s growing. It’s exciting. Development. It’s just a great time to be down here,” Aichholc said.

“We’re coming of age. And that’s one of the reasons why Fort Myers is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation,” Anderson said.

This year, concertgoers will be able to hear from Pablo Cruise, Lorrie Morgan, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Organizers said these first few concerts are free so they can work out any issues. But, they hope to have even bigger names coming in the not-too-distant future.

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