A record crowd came out to watch REO Speedwagon perform at Sterlingfest on Aug. 2. Officials estimate between 15,000 and 18,000 people attended the concert. Photo courtesy of Sterling Heights Community Relations

“I know we had a record turnout,” the city’s Community Relations Director Steve Guitar said. “It was a tremendous success.”

The highlight of the festival, which took place at Dodge Park July 31 through Aug. 2, was the Saturday performance by classic rock group REO Speedwagon.

“It was a sea of people,” Sterling Heights Police Public Information Officer Lt. Robert Henigan said.

Since Sterling Heights is celebrating its 40th anniversary as a city this year, officials decided to splurge and brought in the group that began its musical career at about the same time. The group, which has 17 critically acclaimed albums and 13 Top 40 hits, played its popular tunes “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” “Take it on the Run” and “Keep on Loving You,” along with songs from its new album, “Find Your Own Way Home.”

Although the final numbers on the entire weekend’s attendance haven’t been tallied yet, Guitar said official estimates for the number of people who stood and watched REO Speedwagon range between 15,000 and 18,000.

“I think REO is a huge group,” Guitar said. “We knew it would be big, but we didn’t anticipate it would be quite that large.”

Last year, approximately 125,000 people meandered through the festival during the whole weekend and initial projections have this year’s attendance well beyond that. Whether it was the economy or the event itself that drew people in, the larger crowds brought in more money to Sterlingfest.

“The food vendors had record numbers,” Guitar said. “The carnival did record numbers on Saturday - that was the biggest day they ever had. We just want to continue the success.”

Even with the larger-than-usual gathering, police said people were behaving themselves. Henigan said there was one arrest for disorderly conduct and a couple of minor citations, but no one was injured in any of the incidents.

However, traffic surrounding Sterlingfest posed some issues - particularly on Saturday evening. Utica and Dodge Park roads were severely backed up, and parking lots were full, causing many people to turn around because they couldn’t get close to the festival. Henigan said officers eventually shut down Utica Road from 17 Mile Road and began diverting traffic.

Guitar said the city received about two calls pertaining to traffic complaints. “The police department did a great job getting people through,” Guitar said. “For the most part, I think people realize this is a 3-day festival that happens once a year. It’s the city’s homecoming celebration and it’s a chance to showcase the city in a fine light.”

A resident who lives on Dart Drive across from Stevenson High School said he was not pleased with the traffic situation. The man, who preferred to withhold his identity, said the backup wasn’t so bad on Thursday or Friday, but was troublesome Saturday.

“If there was an emergency, there would be a hard time getting through the street,” he said. “That’s my main beef. I can handle the noise.”

He said he has nothing against REO Speedwagon, but didn’t go to the festival because it was too crowded.

“I think 10,000 to 20,000 is a lot of people for this little area,” he said. “Why don’t they think about shutting the side streets down and not let anyone down them?”

Henigan said officials will talk about the traffic issues when planning next year’s festival.