Ironton resident Darrell McFann had heard the complaints for years: area youth have nowhere safe and fun to go on the weekends.

McFann took matters in his own hands last year and is ready to rock 'n' roll once again for Saturday's second annual Rock on the River 2004 concert.

"The kids have absolutely nothing in this area for them to do," McFann said from his job on the road as truck driver. "I wanted a day these kids could call their own."

The event, targeting teenagers and young adults, will present six rock concerts at Center Street Landing starting at 5 p.m. and ending at midnight. Gates open at 2 p.m. Admission is $6.50 per person that will be used to pay the bands. Food and beverage vendors will be set up.

McFann, a 53-old-parent, organized the event that attracted 200 to 300 people last year and hopes to exceed those numbers this time around. He started working on the event in March and said he does not plan to make a profit.

"I printed 1,000 tickets. Even at $6 a piece that is $1,000 per band," McFann said. "That would be great for these kids."

Bands performing will be Split Nixon, Losing Tomorrow, Phoenix Rising, Down in Round Three, No Hero Here and Pi'.

McFann said he knows the music is not for everyone but emphasized that the event is drug and alcohol free.

"It is the kids' type of music," he said. "It is their music, their day."

Kim McFann is proud that her husband is willing to step-up and try to do something positive for the youth.

"He truly just does it for the kids. He says there is not much to do for the kids," she said. "He wants to give them something different to do."

Approximately 10 area businesses and politicians helped sponsor the event.