Music fans around the Mid-Atlantic region are preparing for big news from Dover.
The Firefly Music Festival producer Red Frog Entertainment will be announcing this year’s line up of artists and bands Tuesday morning.
Two acts have already been confirmed. The Lumineers, nominated for two Grammys this year, and Vampire Weekend, a 2011 Grammy nominee, will play when the festival returns to the grounds of Dover International Speedway June 21st through 23rd this year.
[audio:http://www.wdde.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/tatoian-long.mp3|titles=Dover Motorsports’ COO Mike Tatoian discusses the 2013 edition of the Firefly Music Festival.]
Dover Motorsports’ Chief Operations Officer Mike Tatoian sees tremendous potential for the 2013 festival based on last year’s inaugural outing.
“We’ll build on last year’s foundation and this year, collectively, we think it will be an even better festival," said Tatoian. "Our expectations will be bigger and better than it was even last year.”
Lat year, Firefly drew estimated attendance 30,000 fans to see 48 acts over 3 days. Tatoian expects to triple that in 2013.
"In those three days, we will likely entertain over 100,000 people," said Tatoian.
Even with significantly more fans expected on the festival grounds, Tatoian says festival will largely stick with what worked a year ago.
"There will always be things that we're going to tweak," said Tatoian. "[But] with the exception of having more activities, more bands, a larger footprint, it will look and feel a lot like last year."
Music fans aren't the only ones who hope that Firefly is similar to last year. Food and hospitality businesses around the Dover area benefited greatly from the 3 day festival. The Delaware Tourism Office estimated that the festival brought in 12 point 6 million dollars to the state.
Tickets go on sale Thursday, February 21.