Bands had Bullard Park rocking on Saturday
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The local band Eclipse performs “Stinkfist” by Tool during Saturday’s Rock the Park at Bullard Park in Albion. Erin Moody is lead singer for the band that includes Brett Zambito, left, on guitar and D.J. Button, right, on guitar, as well as Dan Ryan on the drums.
This is the seventh Rock the Park, which features several bands performing during the day in a benefit for the park. The event has expanded in recent years to the Albion Summer Festival with activities for children, and food and craft vendors. Saturday also included a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and cornhole tournament.
Rock the Park helped generate funding and momentum for the village to complete $800,000 in park upgrades, including the amphitheater, splash pad, playground equipment, new pavilion and utility building with bathrooms and a walking trail.
“I think it’s fantastic,” said Dan Ryan, the Eclipse drummer who has been a part of all the Rock the Park events. “It’s done a lot for the kids and helped get the splash pad up. That’s what it’s all about.”
D.J. Button, left, feels the music as a guitarist with Eclipse. The band of four from Albion has been performing together for about a year.
They were among seven bands on the main stage at the amphitheater on Saturday. There were also two acoustical acts under the big tent for the festival.
Paul Draper of Shotgun Pauly sings “Pride and Joy” by Stevie Ray Vaughan during Rock the Park.
Three members of the band Zero jam out to “Alive” by Pearl Jam during Rock the Park on Saturday at the new amphitheater.
From right to left include Dylan DeSmit, Zack Burgess and Mike “Thunder” Warren.
Mike “Thunder” Warren rocks out with Zero. Warren has been playing with local bands for many years.
The music stopped briefly twice on Saturday due to blasts of rain. A big rainbow appeared at about 6:30 p.m. when the Dave Viterna Group took the stage.
The Dave Viterna Group of Medina played Rock the Park for the first on Saturday. The group includes from left: Marty Hobbs, “Scooter” Scott Felice and Dave Viterna.
Provided photo: The band Vette kicked off the concerts from the main stage. Vette includes, from left: Travis Mackie, Kole Moore and Alex Fitzak with Shelby Starr the drummer.
Lonnie Froman sings “Hush” by Deep Purple as the Who Dats close out their set. The band also includes Alona Kuhns on guitar, John Borello on guitar, Alona Kuhns on guitar, Ed Hilfiker on guitar and Alex DeSmit on drums. The band has been a big part of the local music scene for the past 20 years.
Froman said he enjoyed playing for a crowd of about 500 people, from the stage set up high on a hill at the park.
“I love the whole atmosphere and being able to be up above everybody on stage,” he said about Rock the Park and the new amphitheater.
The event was capped by Nerds Gone Wild, who played more than 2 hours, singing popular party songs from the 1980s. The Buffalo-based band made its debut in Albion on Saturday.
