Biggest Rock the Park yet is Saturday, with plans for more music in future at Bullard

Photos by Tom Rivers: Volunteers with the 5th annual Rock the Park are ready for the day-long festival on Saturday at Bullard Park. The music starts at 11 a.m. and continues until 10 p.m. Pictured form left include John Grillo, a member of the Rock the Park committee and the Village of Albion recreation director; Mike Giarrizzo, lead guitarist for 7th Heaven; Bernie Baldwin, a member of the committee; and Zack Burgess, a committee who has helped organized the bands and acoustic musician.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 August 2018 at 8:38 pm

ALBION – Bullard Park will be rocking on Saturday for the fifth annual music festival at Bullard.

Rock the Park features five bands playing from 3 to 10 p.m. There will also be eight acoustical acts, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with two acts performing the same time, one under a pavilion by the playground and another near the entrance of the park.

In between the two acts will be crafters and other vendors. There will also be a farmers’ market stand, hayrides for children and a cowboy show and face painting.

“We’re trying to make it a great one-day event for the community,” said John Grillo, one of the organizers and the director of the Albion Recreation Committee.

He has led the recreation program in Albion for more than 40 years. Grillo is pleased with upgrades planned for the park, including a spray park/splash pad, amphitheater, and walking/jogging trail. Long-term he would like to see a cabin that could hold 50 people and be used for indoor activities at the parks, especially when it’s raining.

Dale Brooks of the Albion Lions Club sets up lights at Bullard Park. The Lions Club is a key sponsor of the music festival on Saturday. Bernie Baldwin is at right.

Grillo sees Bullard as an unrealized asset for the community. The amphitheater, which could be complete this fall, could be used for concerts, movies, and other events. Families could attend concerts and children could use the playground close by while their parents listen to music or take a lap on the trail.

The Rock the Park organizers also think bigger nationally known musicians would perform in Albion, with Bullard known as a mini Art Park.

Zack Burgess said local musicians would also embrace the opportunity to play at Bullard. They already have stepped up to play at Rock the Park.

“There are a ton of god musicians in Albion and the surrounding towns,” he said.

Th headliner for Rock the Park on Saturday is 7th Heaven, a band that plays in the Rochester area but includes several former local residents, including Albion native Mike Giarrizzo. He stopped by Bullard today after a round of golf.

Giarrizzo and 7th Heaven last played in Albion about seven years ago. The band has wanted to play at Rock the Park but its schedule didn’t allow until this time. Giarrizzo lives in Churchville and is recently retired from General Motors. He plays lead guitar for the band.

“I’ve been wanting to do this but we were booked,” he said. “I love being back in Albion.”

Admission for Rock the Park is free, except for a $5 charge to enter the beer tent.

Albion Department of Public Works employees help get the site ready for the concert. The bands will play under a large tent. Scott Bradshaw, front, and DPW Superintendent Jay Pahura set up the temporary fencing.

The schedule for Saturday includes:

9 a.m. – Craft and Artisan vendors open

11 a. m – Acoustic acts begin

Pavilion Stage:

11 a.m. – Lonesome Road

Noon – Burial Harbor

1 p.m. – Chris Moore

2 p.m. – Dylan DeSmit

Acoustic Tent Stage:

11 a.m. – Al Capurso

Noon – Joel Russlett

1 p.m.– Jon Strobele