Musicians, community band together for a better Bullard Park

Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Nine bands performed in the second annual “Rock the Park” fund-raiser for Bullard Park on Saturday, including the band driVen. Mike “Thunder” Warren, right, and Dylan DeSmit are pictured performing with that band under the main pavilion at Bullard.

DeSmit and Zach Burgess helped line up the bands for Saturday. The event also included 53 vendors and a festival-like atmosphere.

Tyler Dixon, 5, of Barre Center has fun with a bubble gun.

Two bounce houses and a big slide were popular with kids.

Jonathan Judd, 11, gets ready to hit the target at the dunk tank. His mother, Tracy Judd-LaGalbo, was among the many volunteers who took a turn in the tank with all proceeds going to the park.

Kara Pitcher of Middleport was one of 53 vendors at the park on Saturday. She owns Legendary Dog Treats. Besides selling dog treats, she also sold dog feeders designed by her father, Danny Pitcher.

Annette Tamul of Albion organized the vendors. She has many contacts among vendors because she sells wickless waxes and warmers.

Tamul was living in South Carolina and moved back to Albion about three years ago. She noticed how much of the old playground equipment had been removed due to safety issues, without new equipment being added.

“We have all of this space to utilize,” Tamul said about the park.

The village has twice tried for state grants and been denied. It is trying again this year for park upgrades, including a new splash pad. In the meantime, Tamul said the community needs to try to raise funds to improve the popular spot on Route 31.

The band Zero closed out the music festival on Saturday with Zack Burgess, center, as the lead singer. Dylan DeSmit, left, is on lead guitar and vocals, and Brad Maxon on bass. Dan Ryan plays the drums.

The first “Rock the Park” was at the Elks Club last year. Organizers wanted to move the event to Bullard this time and add more activities.

Zero performs under the main pavilion.

Dylan DeSmit played with three bands at Rock the Park on Saturday: Delano Steele, driVen, and Zero.