Pat McNamee of Rock and Helen DeBacker of Escanaba are two members of the 4-piece Helen DeBacker and the Stardusters. The group played on a float in the Rock parade Saturday and afterwards, as shown here, the group entertained hundreds of people at a Lions Club gathering. (Journal photo by John Pepin)

By Journal Staff

ROCK — Community members and organizations in Rock are hosting a variety of activities and entertainment throughout Labor Day weekend including a parade, midway food and games, and more than a dozen bands.

In addition to the Rock Lions Club 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 rummage sale just west of Rock on Saturday. The Rock American Legion Auxiliary will sell baked goods there. Rock Faith Food Pantry is holding a nonperishable food drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to Fill the Gazebo in town.

Local Lions Club members have been participating in work bees and have more setting up to do to prepare the grounds for the annual Labor Day Festival known for decades as “the largest small town celebration in the Upper Peninsula.”

The annual celebration begins with a parade at 11 a.m. Saturday. Parade participants can preregister by calling 906-356-9040. Registration will also take place that day beginning at 10 a.m. at the fire hall on East Maple Ridge 37th Road, east of the flashing light in town. No theme is designated for the parade and no judging will take place.

Following the parade, the public is invited to the festivities taking place along the midway at the Rock Lions clubhouse, located at 14454 Highway M-35, just north of the flashing light. There will be food, beer, various games, a bean bag tournament, a kids tractor pull, cowpie bingo, a flea market, crafts, baked goods and bounce houses on site. The local student robotics team will also be demonstrating its skills for the public. A local D.J. service will provide tunes from noon to 4 p.m.

In its own efforts to raise funds, for the past few months Rock Lions Club members have been selling 50/50 raffle tickets. Winners will be drawn at 3 p.m. Saturday. The Share the Wealth raffle will award 30 percent of the proceeds to first place, 15 percent to second place, and 5 percent to third place.

A portion of the club’s profits is donated to charities.

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 be hosting three bands on Labor Day weekend beginning with Big Al and the Tomatas at 7 p.m. Friday. Saturday’s entertainment includes Pink Violin at 3 p.m. and Luke Warm and Not So Hots at 7 p.m. On Sunday, beginning at 4 p.m., Luke Warm and Not So Hots will return.

The public also is invited to attend 11 band performances Friday through Sunday during the second annual Boogie Fest Too concert taking place five miles west of Rock at 14069 County Line G Road. In addition to the 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 its ticket proceeds, noted co-organizer Debbie Hilling.

“We’ve got some terrific award-winning Midwest acts and Nashville recording artists coming to our stage in West Rock,” Hilling said, adding that one band is traveling all the way from Texas.

Bands featured at this year’s Boogie Fest Too include Fyrbird at 8 p.m. Friday.

Performers on Saturday and Sunday 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.

Camping is also available at the music fest. On Friday a Friday Fun Day is scheduled and will include a campground parade, games, and an 80s costume contest.

Ticket and camping information can be accessed at www.Boogiefesttoo.rocks or call 906-356-6191.