The La Porte Firefighters know how to throw a party with a conscience. On Saturday, July 20th, they held their annual Rock the Park 2013 at Fox Park. Starting at noon until 10 p.m., guests were treated to food, games, and best of all a stellar lineup of music. To put the icing on the cake, all proceeds from the day went to La Porte Firefighters Association Charities that splits donating money to local charities and providing scholarships.
Firefighter Captain Erik Sabie said, “Rock the Park is all about bringing the community together to raise money for local charities, and to have fun doing it! We work almost year round to put this event together and donate our time for the cause. It’s important to have a good relationship with the community, outside of emergencies. This event helps us do that and shows that we do much more than just fight fires and go on medical calls.”
Allow me to walk you through the charitable party. Let’s talk food. The La Pore Firefighters certainly went all out in this arena. Papa John’s provided some grub and LPFD members were cooking up rib-eye steak sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, and brats. Guests could relax in a beer garden and sip on summer mixed drinks or beer from La Porte’s own Backyard Brewery.
Next came entertainment for the little ones in tow. Kids had a chance to dunk Fire Chief Andy Snyder or La Porte Mayor Blair Milo in a tank of water, and if I am being honest, some adults stepped up to the plate as well. Additionally, adults and kids could both try their arm out at cornhole. Kids ran around with their faces splashed with designs and colors from the face painting station. As I previously said, the La Porte Firefighters know how to host, and as a result animals from the Washington Park Zoo were on display.
There was also a raffle with some major prizes such as a sleeper sofa, TV, gift cards to many local restaurants, gift baskets, movie certificates, and even a photo shoot. All items were generously donated to support Rock the Park and the La Porte Firefighters Association.
Now I take you to the focal point-the music. The firefighters were able to put together a lineup of four bands that truly “rocked the park.” Starting at 3 p.m. High Noon took the stage and got the party going with a fusion of music ranging from rock to country, from old to new. Next, Where’s Johnny? rocked the stage and played songs that everybody loves to sing along to. They were followed by the powerful rock group Point’n Fingers. Finally, the evening was closed out by the high-energy band Justified.
"Good music, good food, good people. and a good cause. It is pretty wonderful," closed guest Toscha Merkle.
Click here for a link to a full photo gallery!