By John Benson
Louie Sainato has been a fixture in Northeast Ohio for decades. The baby boomer, who owned the Slavic Village’s Sainato’s Restaurant for 20 years, bleeds Cleveland with a blue-collar ethic and Joe “How You Doin’?” Walsh personality.
The restaurateur’s latest idea is to expand the visibility of his Rivergate Tavern with his own festival. Sure, it sounds shameless, like nothing more than a marketing ploy to bring folks into his Columbus Avenue establishment. In fact, when you say it that way, that’s exactly what it is.
However, where this cheap gimmick turns interesting is when you realize the free Rivergate Fest, which debuts Thu 6/28 at the Hart Crane Memorial Park, has all the markings of a cool community event with beer, food, music and, well, more beer.
Specifically, the location is a diehard Clevelander’s ideal venue, held under the shadow of the West Side Market, alongside the Cuyahoga River and in an unlikely oasis of green grass between two decidedly mid-20th century bridges. Also, Rivergate Fest is acting as the anchor event for SPACES’ Twilight Rocket Excursion, which features the Euclid Beach rocket cars taking folks all over the Rock Hall City.
Cool Cleveland talked to Sainato, who does have a cell phone but refuses to text on either principal or technological impairment, about Rivergate Fest.
Cool Cleveland: How exactly does one dream up their own festival?
Louie Sainato: I’m the one who really coordinated everything but SPACES Gallery is doing a tour with the rocket cars. So we’re going to try to do it the same night they’re doing a tour. They have a whole bunch of people who will end up over here. I’m just doing it to get people down here. Back in the ‘70s what they used to do is go to different locations on Friday and have parties in the park during the summer.
So basically you were looking to do a festival to attract more customers to the area?
We’re on the west bank right next to the Columbus Road Bridge. The [Western Reserve] Rowing Association is here and The [Cleveland] Metroparks are putting a park right behind me. So everything they’re doing down here is going to be recreational. I’ve been thinking about it for five years. Basically why I’m doing it is two years in a row they had the Brite Winter Fests here with bands and bonfires. A lot of people came down.
What type of reaction has the event received so far?
Everybody I talked to, the first thing they do is pull out their cell phone and mark it down in their calendar. I do have a cell phone, I don’t text message or Facebook. I’m 65 years old. But I think young.
Finally, could this be an annual event?
Truthfully we’re going to see how this goes. I like in the summertime doing this maybe once a month. I’m going to put this first one on and then we’ll go from there. But I’ve owned businesses for 40 years. I just hope people come and have fun and enjoy the good food.
The free Rivergate Fest is supported by Market Garden Brewery, Marigold Catering, SPACES Gallery, Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative and the Ohio Canal Corridor, Cleveland Dragon Boat Association, and the Western Reserve Rowing Association. The event is hosted by Rivergate Tavern, which along with Marigold Catering will be offering food. Bands performing include Post Road, Betsy Rose, The Lowies and Mojo Honey. For more information, call 216.772.4400 or click here.
Freelance writer John Benson spends most of his time writing for various papers throughout Northeast Ohio. When he’s not writing about music or entertainment, he can be found coaching his two boys in basketball, football and baseball or watching movies with his lovely wife, Maria. John also occasionally writes for CoolCleveland.com.
Cleveland, OH 44113
One Response to “Rivergate Fest – Summertime Fun on the Mighty Cuyahoga”
Jane Hilf
Rivergate is on the east bank. Hoopples is right across the Columbus Rd. bridge and they are on the west bank. The author calls the street Columbus Ave. and the owner of the place doesn’t know which bank of the river his place is on. Someone should check facts before posting.