Rock’s Pat McNamee and Escanaba’s Helen DeBacker are two members of the 4-piece Helen DeBacker and the Stardusters. The group played on a float in the Rock Parade on Saturday and then, shown here, the group entertained hundreds of people at a Lions Club meeting. (Photo from John Pepin’s diary)
By the staff of the magazine
ROCK — Rock community members and organizations are hosting a variety of activities and entertainment over Labor Day weekend, including a parade, midway food and games, and more than a dozen bands .
In addition to the Rock Lions Club’s annual Labor Day Parade and Festival on Saturday, several rock and roll and rhythm and blues bands are scheduled to perform at two other local venues Friday through Sunday.
The Rock Senior Center is also hosting its annual West Rock rummage sale on Saturday. The Rock American Legion Auxiliary will be selling baked goods. Rock Faith Food Pantry is hosting a non-perishable food drive Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm to fill the city’s gazebo.
Members of the local Lions Club have been participating in the work bees and have more preparations to prepare the ground for the annual Labor Day Festival known for decades as “The Upper Peninsula’s Largest Small Town Celebration.”
The annual celebration begins with a parade at 11 a.m. Saturday. Parade participants can pre-register by calling 906-356-9040. Registration will also be held that day starting at 10 a.m. at the fire hall on East Maple Ridge 37th Road, just east of the city flashing light. There is no designated theme for the parade and no judging will be held.
After the parade, the public is invited to the midway festivities at the Rock Lions Clubhouse, located at 14454 M-35, just north of the flashing light. There will be food, beer, various games, a bean bag tournament, a kids tractor pull, cow bingo, a flea market, crafts, baked goods and bounce houses on site. The local student robotics team will also demonstrate their skills to the public. A local DJ service will provide tunes from noon to 4 p.m
In their own fundraising efforts, Rock Lions Club members have been selling 50/50 raffle tickets for the past several months. The winners will be drawn on Saturday at 3pm. The Share the Wealth drawing will award 30% of the proceeds to first place, 15% to second and 5% to third.
A portion of the club’s profits go to charity.
The organization was unable to host Labor Day activities the past two years due to COVID and lack of membership. Anyone is encouraged to join the Rock Lions Club or help volunteer for events by calling 906-356-6475.
Herb’s Bar will host three bands over Labor Day weekend, starting with Big Al and the Tomatas at 7pm on Friday. Saturday entertainment includes Pink Violin at 3pm and Luke Warm and Not So Hots at 7pm. Luke Warm and Not So Hots will be back on Sunday from 4pm.
The public is also invited to attend 11 performances by the band Friday through Sunday during the second annual Boogie Fest Too concert held five miles west of Rock at 14069 County Line G Road. In addition to rock and roll and rhythm and blues music, there will be a pig roast, vendors and a bucket raffle.
The event contributes to a community emergency fund with a portion of ticket proceeds, noted co-organizer Debbie Hilling.
“We have some great Midwest artists and Nashville recording artists coming to our stage at West Rock.” Hilling said, adding that a band is traveling from Texas.
Bands performing at this year’s Boogie Fest Too include Fyrbird at 8pm on Friday.
Saturday and Sunday performers include Todd Michael, Sunset Strip, Copper Box, Cornfield Mafia, Next Myle, Eddie and the Bluesers, Dexter Rowe, Out Lawd, Howard Guitar Luedke and TC Knuckleheads.
You can also camp at the music festival. A Friday Fun Day is scheduled for Friday that will include a camping parade, games and an 80s costume contest.
Ticket and camping information can be accessed at www.Boogiefesttoo.rocks or by calling 906-356-6191.
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