Rock the Arc will rock the park this weekend
by Ian Roantree
The Tupper Lake Municipal Park will be a hub of activities for all ages this weekend on Saturday, September 14 with the return of the Adirondack Arc’s annual Rock the Arc festival.
All proceeds from the event go to benefit the Adirondack Arc, a not-for-profit organization that supports the needs of people with developmental disabilities.
Throughout the summer months, rumors began to circle the community, stating that Rock the Arc wasn’t happening this year. Those rumors were mostly true.
“This year we thought about taking a break,” said Scott Stiles, CEO of the Adirondack Arc and chief organizer of the event. “But when word got around, we got a lot of feedback and community support.”
Because the games, activities and admission to Rock the Arc are free, the Adirondack Arc relies on sponsorship support and raffle ticket sales to keep the event afloat and successful. This year, the organizers were having trouble finding sponsors.
“After doing this for six years in a row, it’s hard to keep asking for sponsorships from the same groups,” Stiles said.
But at the last minute, the Adirondack Arc was able to get its sponsorships.
Sponsors for this year’s Rock the Arc include Hoffman Auto, Ralph Benefit Advisors and Hoffman Hanafin & Associates.
Rock the Arc will attract the likes of both the young and old with its variety of activities, games, live music, food and attractions.
The main attraction of Rock the Arc is the raffle drawings and the chance to win the grand prize of $10,000!
The second place raffle winner will take home $2,000, the third place winner will take home $1,000, the fourth place winner will take home $500, and five finalists will be awarded $200!
The winners of the raffle will be announced at 7 p.m. on Saturday evening.
Other prizes can be won through the raffles including a Webber Grill, and gift packages.
Younger crowds will get a kick out of the activities geared towards them like the jousting arena, bounce house, inflatable obstacle course, face painting, and kid kingdom. There will also be games commonly found at carnivals like the fishing derby game, ring toss, plinko and dart and balloon games.
There will also be lots of different food and beverages to enjoy. Typical of a Tupper Lake event—and for good reason—the Lions Cook Shack will be on site serving up delicious hot dogs and hamburgers, smothered in their famous Lions onions.
There will be popcorn and ice cream vendors to satisfy the sweet and salty tastebuds as well as a Honduran food vendor, adding to the variety of food choices. P2’s Irish Pub, like previous years, will be serving up beer in their beer garden providing the choice of craft and light beer.
Throughout the day, starting at 1 p.m. and ending at 9 p.m., live music will rock the park (and the Arc). Kicking off at 1 p.m. is local classic and 90’s rock group, Bittersweet, playing until 3. From 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. is jam band, Atom Ghost from Massena, and headlining the evening, playing from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. is pop and rock group, Night School.
After the music, at 9 p.m., there will be a spectacular fireworks display, a show you won’t want to miss.
Door’s open at noon on Saturday, providing a full day’s worth of fun and entertainment, and it’s all free!