Mark the date on your calendar and get ready to rock, roll, and gather again! – Saturday August 7 will feature Prince George’s premier summer restart community event at Exhibition Park @ the CN Centre from noon to 9 p.m.The event is a free community event designed to provide the residents of Northern BC with an opportunity to gather again within Phase 3 of the provincial government’s restart program.
The original iteration of Rooftop Rock was set to take place on Saturday May 23, 2020 and was going to be a first of its kind event in North America. The event was to be a drive-In style concert where patrons stayed within their vehicle for the duration of the concert to ensure they were meeting the strict Covid- 19 restrictions of the time. However, the event was forced to be cancelled due to a last-minute change in the provincial health order which stated no more than 50 cars would be permitted to gather for a drive-in event.
Now, event organizers have re-introduced the ‘Rooftop Rock’ brand as a celebration of both the innovation that took place during the pandemic by many organizations, as well as to be a celebration of our community which truly is more than deserving of opportunities to gather in a fun, safe way after over 16 months of minimizing the spread by eliminating opportunity for social gatherings. However, this time the Rooftop Rock event will look a little bit different!
The event will be “Rooftop Rock: The Flatbed Edition” meaning, the bands will be playing live from flatbed trailers instead of a smaller rooftop at Exhibition Park. The event will feature a slate of attractions for patrons to enjoy such as: live local entertainment with both music and comedy, over a dozen food trucks, an estimated of 75+ vendors, a classic car show, a big rig truck show, the BC Railway Museum Mini-Train, face painting, and more!
Organizers moved to the flatbed stage rather than the expected rooftop stage to accommodate their efforts of creating more space for patrons. This is both so more people can enjoy the event, all while providing ample space for patrons to space out and feel comfortable while onsite.
Additionally, Northern Health Authority will be onsite for the duration of the event with their mobile Pop-Up Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic, allowing folks to drop in without an appointment to receive their vaccination if they so choose!
#RooftopRock
Event Producer Kyle Sampson says, “We want this event to be not only fun, but a safe opportunity for people to gather again! So, when we were planning, we quickly realized that despite it being part of the name, having the bands perform on the roof would encourage tighter congregating of patrons and provided less room for people to space out from each other as desired. So, we’re happily moving forward with the “Flatbed Edition” knowing that it’s still the same great bones of an event, just a different stage surface! We also want this event to act almost as an ice breaker for everyone involved – and I mean both the patrons, but also our amazing event service providers! After over 16 months of little to no events, we know that people might feel a little nervous about attending events again, and we also know service providers might need an opportunity to shake off the rust and work out any kinks, but also for them to earn some revenues after a long year and a half of perhaps some struggles! This event is designed almost like a ‘choose your own adventure’… We are hoping people come, hang out, enjoy all that we have put together, but also that they feel comfortable. So, if you want to bring your own chair, space out and enjoy the live music apart from others, we’ve got space for you! And, if you want to sit around a table with your friends and enjoy the food trucks – you’re welcome to do that as well! Just come on down and participate at your comfort level and let this be an ice breaker for you with respect to gathering again. For our event service providers, we hope this can act as not only a great source of revenue, but also an opportunity to do what they love which is bringing out community together through the services they provide!”
The event is free of charge; however, patrons will be encouraged to donate to the local cycling team, Wheelin’ Warriors of the North, who raise funds for the BC Cancer Foundation and have come onboard to support the event by being the onsite volunteers. To date the team has raised over $1,000,000.00 dollars towards the fight against cancer, and 100% of that money they raise stays right here in Prince George and Northern BC. The goal is to bring in at least $10,000.00 through this event for the Wheelin’ Warriors and the BC Cancer Foundation. Cash Donations will be accepted at the event, and an online donation portal will be made public soon for folks who would prefer to make the donation directly online.
The event is set to feature some of PG’s best in local talent including Studio 720, The Chris Goodwin Band, Rick Stavely, Friends of Jimmy, and comedian Mike McGuire! Additionally, fan-favourite food trucks will be in attendance like: Glazedm Smokey J’s, Lemon Heaven, The White Goose Gosling, Franco’s Gourmet Hot Dogs, Legendary John’s Spud Truck, Open Door Café, Mountain Air Kettle Corn, Chip Sticks & Mini Donuts, Teeny Tiny Taco Truck, Kusina Tasty Food, and more! The event is intending on hosting between 75-100 vendors and local businesses and crafters for people to shop from and support – PLUS – there will be a Classic Car Show taking place between 12pm and 4pm, and a Big Rig Truck Show onsite for the entire duration of the event! Come down and admire some of the classiest cars and most impressive rigs in Northern BC!
“We really hope to just feature a bit of everything, and something for everyone!” says Sampson. “Come on down, and let’s gather again and enjoy some of PG’s best in vendors, food trucks, and local entertainers!”
#RooftopRock
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