By Neale Gulley
The Tonawanda News
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Technically speaking, Sweeney Hose fire hall in North Tonawanda held its first-ever Rocktober Fest last year, but the event was washed out by rain that marred many an outdoor event in 2009.
This year, the city has promised to help them try again to host an expanded fundraiser boasting food, beer, games and a hefty dose of live music planned for Sept. 24 and 25.
At last Tuesday’s meeting of the Common Council, officials granted a request by Sweeney Hose for use of the city band stage and waiver of rental fees to get them on track.
Event Co-chair Pete Chenier Jr. is organizing the event alongside his father, Pete Sr., both of whom sit on the board of directors for Canal Fest.
“It’s definitely a learning experience,” the younger Chenier said. “Can’t give up after one year.”
Tents will be set up at the 499 Zimmerman St. fire hall this year as a contingency.
Five live bands, a chicken barbecue, chowder, a Chinese auction and, yes, beer, all factor into an event he said is intended to be fun for everyone, young and old.
Active Hose is stepping up to also handle a variety of other food items throughout the two day event, which features a main-stage performance by Busted Stuff, Passion Works, West of the Mark and Maria Aurigema, and one soon-to-be-confirmed band, he said.
Events are scheduled to take place at the fire hall from 4 p.m. to midnight on Friday and from 12 p.m. to midnight on Saturday.
No entrance fee is required for the public to attend.
“The city will drop off the stage. It’s the same stage they use for the concert series,” he said Monday. “I’m supposed to get confirmation on a fifth band today. All the area businesses are great and they donate for our Chinese auction which is a big help.”
Through his involvement with Canal Fest, Chenier knows well how the recent economy has impacted business sponsorship, but, he said, the need for successful fundraisers is strong, especially for volunteer fire companies like Sweeney Hose who protect citizens while all the while finding ways to pay the heating bills.
“Being a volunteer company, luckily the city supplies all our equipment but we do fundraisers to (cover) the costs of running the fire hall.”
While getting members together isn’t always easy since work schedules are hardly typical these days, he said one aim in hosting the decidedly all-out Rocktober Fest event is to accomplish more of that critical fundraising in one shot.
“I enjoy doing it. It’s a lot of fun. No matter how we do, if we make money or lose money, we’re a team. We support each other,” he said.
