New Owner For Float-Rite

The 2011 installment of an annual summer festival in Somerset, Wis., is up in the air following the sale of one of the main amphitheatres that services the St. Paul, Minn., market.

While the 32,500-capacity Float-Rite Amphitheatre has hosted the Apple River Country Splash for several years, the venue recently changed hands to a group of Minnesota investors during a sheriff’s auction, Minneapolis’ KSTP News reported.

“It’s a great piece of property,” new owner Matt Mithun told the station. “I think if it’s used correctly it can be a great thing for the village of Somerset and the fans can appreciate it. We want to have some big changes.”

While Mithun didn’t specify what the changes will be, he did say both the grounds and concert schedule will be revamped.

But what a revamped concert schedule at the venue will mean for Country Splash 2011 is unclear.

“We have no agreement with Country Splash,” Mithun added.

The station reported that while some VIP tickets for the event, which was promoted by the previous owner, had already sold, the new owner is not interested in honoring the event. Sales won’t resume until a venue is found for 2011.

Float-Rite – obviously one of the few amphitheatres in North America not owned by Live Nation – is not exceptionally busy but has hosted Ozzfest, The Black Crowes, Linkin Park and others over the years.