FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 11, 2020

The FREEDOM Tour will not proceed in 2020

DAYTON, OH – The Freedom Tour, planned by Dillin Events along with media sponsors iHeart Radio and Cox Media, created a 7 location drive-in, Covid conscious event, was informed they will not be able to proceed with previously approved event concept for charity.

“With heavy hearts, due to the Covid crisis, Dillin Events was forced to make a difficult decision that significantly impacts the charities. We are incredibly disappointed to make this announcement, and frustrated for our communities and especially for our charities, that our previously approved events are now unable to proceed.”, stated Cheryl Dillin.

Had the Tour been completed in its entirety, it would have infused up to $1 million dollars into the regional economy between entertainment vendors like bands, sound and stage, food truck sales and importantly, the largest infusion would have been to charity, more than 70% of the revenue generated. Dillin Events, along with the 7 locations and key vendors like iHeart Radio, Cox Media, Team Fastrax, Arthur Rossi Pyrotechnics and 3rd Day technology, took the financial risk up front and funded the entire pre-production of the Tour for the benefit of the local charities and communities.

“We are very proud of the efforts of the locations, the charities, the sponsors and our vendors for helping us make this Tour a possibility – but we are frustrated and disheartened with the ever changing Covid rules and regulations affecting our ability to create positive experiences in a time where it’s most needed.” stated Dillin. “We set out with the goal of raising money for charities and energizing communities while giving families that ‘Dillin Magic’ we are known for from the Austin Landing event days. It’s incredibly frustrating. We believe we have met all the Covid rules and regulations for a safe event.”

100% of the proceeds of the tour were slated to go to charity. Not having an event with such a potentially large impact is yet another of many disappointments for the region and for local businesses and organizations. All current ticket holders and sponsors have the option to request a full refund OR to donate 100% of their ticket sale or sponsorship to the locations local charity that was to benefit from proceeds of the events.

Locations and proposed benefitting charities are listed below:

Renaissance Park, OH: Project Rise Above;
Mason, OH: Pink Ribbon Girls;
West Carrollton, OH: One Family Foundation;
Wood County Fairgrounds, Bowling Green, OH: Epilepsy Center of NW Ohio;
Fallen Timbers: Fallen Officer Dia’s Family (Project iAm);
North Pointe, West Chester, OH: Blue Skies for the Good Guys and Gals;
Clark County Fairgrounds, Springfield, OH: Ag Endowment & Four Corners.

“Our event team worked tirelessly to create a Covid friendly event that could raise significant funds for charities.”, stated Larry Dillin, President of Dillin LLC. “I am very disappointed in our inability to have events due to Covid regulations despite the innovative safety precautions they were implementing.”

Dillin Events programming in the Dayton region started with the creation of and implementation of a community events program at Austin Landing in 2014 until the property was sold in 2019. The last event they performed at Austin Landing was the Tree Lighting where Santa was delivered by Team Fastrax via a skydive in to Austin Landing and pyrotechnics were shot off the rooftops of the buildings to ring in the holiday season. Approximately 8,000 people were in attendance. Previously, Cheryl (Hardy) Dillin was the driving force behind the initial branding and creation of the Levis Commons events programming in Perrysburg, Ohio.

Dillin Events is dedicated to community programming in the Dayton region and the support of events programming for Dillin developments.

 

Thank you to our SPONSORS:

  • Coldwell Banker Heritage
  • Littleton & Rue Funeral Home
  • Heidelberg Distributing
  • iHeart Radio
  • Dayton Daily News, Dayton.com and Cox Media

 

SPECIAL THANKS to these amazing vendors and partners:

  • Team Fastrax Skydiving
  • Rossi Pyrotechnics
  • 3rd Day Technology
  • Young’s Dairy Farm and Dan Young
  • Petro Environmental LLC
  • Scott Street Partners LLC
  • Clark Co Fairgrounds
  • City of West Carrollton
  • Renaissance Park
  • Wood Co. Fairgrounds
  • Fallen Timbers management and staff
  • Liftoff Entertainment
  • Mr. Clean Port-a-Potties
  • Fire, Police and Sheriff’s department at all locations
  • Jeff Stevens
  • Ginger Productions
  • Tammy Walkup
  • Landon Zura
  • Greg Powell

 

All our Food Trucks that we LOVE so much!

  • Hunger Paynes
  • TropiCool Shaved Ice
  • El Meson
  • 1776 Grill
  • Claybourne Grill
  • Rudy’s BBQ
  • Yummy Gyro Food Truck
  • Fat Racks
  • Rolling Indulgence
  • K&K Concessions
  • Deets BBQ
  • Off the Rails
  • Franks Fries
  • Comfort Cuisine
  • Freddies Franks and Burgers
  • The Loaded Chicken

 

Entertainment Partners

  • Stranger
  • MixTape
  • Rock This Way
  • Ashley Martin
  • Rayne Johnson
  • Crowbar Jones
  • Arctic Clam
  • Amelia Airharts
  • Mess with Emily
  • All In Cincinnati Band
  • Music City Stones Tribute Band