Rocktoberfest set to jazz up La Plata
Oct. 7 event raises funds for fine and performing arts in schools
Rocktoberfest 2017 is just around the corner, a family-friendly music and entertainment venue to help raise money for fine and performing arts in Charles County Public Schools.
“We really hope to see everybody out for [Rocktoberfest],” said Keith Grasso, owner of Island Music. “It’s a really important event for our community and for the students in our school system.”
Rocktoberfest, now in its fourth year, is an annual event presented by the La Plata Business Association and produced by Island Music Company of La Plata. Rocktoberfest takes place on East Charles Street from noon to 10 p.m. Oct. 7. The event is $10 per person and free to children 12 and younger.
Non-Fiction, a Black Crowes tribute band from Baltimore, is the headliner for the event, but 20 bands will be performing a range of music, including classic and modern rock, blues, country and pop, throughout the day on indoor and outdoor stages.
“There’ll be a little bit of something for everybody,” Grasso said.
There will also be street vendors, food vendors, commemorative pint glasses and T-shirts for purchase at the event, as well as face painting and moon bounces for children, Grasso said.
“This year is hopefully going to be our biggest ever,” Grasso said.
In addition, there will be a raffle, at $10 per ticket, to win a Paul Reed Smith S2 Standard 24-inch Vintage Cherry Finish Guitar, valued at $2,000, along with a free lesson voucher from Island Music, Grasso said.
Grasso said the event came about over three years ago as an initiative of the La Plata Business Association to help promote the businesses on and around Charles Street in La Plata.
“A lot of times people drive so fast by here that they don’t realize we have all these really unique stores and shops and restaurants, so we thought if maybe we had an event that people came to each year and that showcased a lot of our businesses, people would look a little bit harder at Charles Street,” Grasso said.
In addition, the event was also created as a fundraiser for the school system’s arts programs. Last year, the event raised $15,000, and Grasso said he hopes to raise more this year.
“That’s a cause that’s kind of near and dear to my heart,” Grasso said. “I think that’s a cause that everybody can form an attachment to … I think in today’s world, unfortunately, a lot of the music and fine and performing arts gets overlooked a little bit in place of technology and sports, so we wanted to do what we could to help that cause.”