Rock the Park Music Festival is back and better than ever. The 2017 edition of Rock the Park has transformed from a 4 day event into a 5 day event showcasing a variety of top notch artists from very different musical genres and eras.
From July 12 to 16, the largest festival in Southwestern Ontario is taking over Harris Park by the Thames River in downtown London. What started out as a classic rock fundraiser has grown into a bighearted charity event that draws more fans every summer.
Rock the Park is estimated to attract between 40,000 and 50,000 people over the five days, coming from all over Ontario as well as bordering states. Each day appeals to fans with a specific genre of music: Country; rap and R&B; the 90’s; alternative rock; and pop.
Launching Rock the Park on Wed., July 12 is BX93’s Gone Country concert. It sets the tone for the entire festival, with top tier artists playing music all night long. Outdoors under the sky, fans can sway, dance, hoot and holler as Lady Antebellum, Kelsea Ballerini, Brett Young and Canada’s own Jason Benoit. July 13th leads into a more modern rap and hip-hop night with Virgin Radio presenting an award-winning lineup consisting of Wiz Khalifa, Fetty Wap ft. Monty and DJ Mustard, and more to be announced. Following that is another Virgin Radio night featuring “I Love the 90’s” of nonstop nostalgia. Those who were able to purchase tickets before it quickly sold out will get to relive their youth and kick it old school, Salt-N-Pepa, Vanilla Ice, Naughty By Nature, Rob Base, Color Me Badd, All-4-One, C+C Music Factory and Young MC. Alternative rock takes the stage on Sat., July 15, presented by FM96. There will be a mixture of both old and new sounds with The Offspring, Sublime with Rome, July Talk and Ontario’s own; Bleeker. Last but not least will be Sunday, July 16th featuring all-Canadian artists: Marianas Trench, Alessia Cara, Scott Helman, Ruth B and Ryland James (presented by Virgin Radio)
Open to people of every age, Rock the Park is a true festival with beer gardens and a variety of food and drink vendors to keep event goers fed and refreshed. Rock the Park is ultimately an atmosphere offering a bit of something to everyone.
At the heart of it all is a serious commitment to help others. When Rock the Park was initially conceived, its purpose was to raise money for Bethanys Hope Foundation, a charity dedicated to progressing research for Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD).
With the vision to rock for a cure, Rock the Park brought in rock musicians to entertain and help raise awareness of the disease. After the first 12 years, the festival and its fans had raised over $2.2 million, earmarked for MLD research.
Bethany’s Hope Foundation decided in 2016 to move its focus from London and concentrate on a national awareness and family support campaign. Appreciating the many lives that can be changed for the better, Jones Entertainment Group endorsed the new strategy and encourage people to continue to support the foundation.
With an incredible annual festival that was well-established and eagerly anticipated by fans, Jones Entertainment Group chose to keep on going and welcomed four new charitable organizations to the team: Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario, Big Brothers Big Sisters of London & Area, Brandon Prust Foundation and Western Football.
On Wednesday through Saturday, gates will open at 4:30 p.m. and the concert starts at 5:30 p.m. On Sunday, ticketholders can enter at 1 p.m. for the 1:45 p.m. concert.
Depending on the night, general admission passes, including HST, are $60 or $65; VIP pass reserved tables and VIP pass standing room, with tax, are $90, $125 or $135.
More information and online ticket purchasing is at www.rockthepark.ca. Tickets can also be bought through Centennial Hall Box Office Services at 519-672-1967 or 1-888-999-8980.
The following are photos from last year’s Rock the Park which included Brad Paisley, City and Colour and more!.
All photos by Paul Barrie
Please DO NOT copy or use without permission.
