The Jammin' on Main music festival came back strong Friday night, with thousands walking the street to drink, eat and listen.

Amanda Cooper (left) and her friend Ivy Gante, both of Columbus, Ind., enjoy the music at Friday's edition of Jammin' on Main. (Jeff Swinger photo) | ZOOM |

        Organizers anticipated a good crowd, thanks in part to a record ticket-sales day Wednesday, decent weather, the biggest lineup in the all-music street festival's eight-year history, and a doubling of the entertainment budget, to $400,000.

        First-night turnout was strong for the rock-based festival, with steady streams of people into all gates and significant lines for beer and portable toilets.

        Jammin' on Main was canceled last year in the wake of the April 2001 riots. The festival continues today from 6 p.m. to 11:45 p.m.

        About 10 protesters organized by the Coalition for a Just Cincinnati, one of the groups advocating a boycott of Cincinnati events, held signs at 9th and Main streets. They hoped to deter people from buying tickets — $12 for one night, $17 for Friday and tonight. The protesters had left by 8:30 p.m.

        “I have to admit I knew nothing about a boycott,” said Rob Klever, 21, who came from Toledo. “And I don't really care.”

        Friday's crowd was mostly college-age. Tonight is expected to bring an older crowd because of bands like Journey.

        The festival adds an estimated $3.4 million to the city's economy each year, according to a 2000 study by the University of Cincinnati. Fifty thousand people attended in 1999, the festival's biggest year.

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