Ely’s Fourth of July celebration is no longer just a one-day event.
Now in its fourth year, Rock the Park has quickly become its own unique part of the festivities.
This year’s extravaganza is set for July 5 at Whiteside Park and includes not one, not two, but three separate acts.
Ranger Things takes to the bandshell at 4 p.m. to start things off, while Sidestreet Detour follows at 6:30 p.m., and The Reckoning closes the concert out with a set that begins at 9 p.m.
Started in 2022 by the fledgling Ely Events Group, in part to mimic ‘street dance’ celebrations that take place elsewhere on the Iron Range, Rock the Park has quickly expanded and taken on a life of its own.
Both the 2022 and 2023 events included two musical acts, while 2024 brought expansion in a pair of ways. Not only was the concert expanded to include three performers, Rock the Park was held twice last year because of the Ely High School All-Class Reunion.
“I’m not sure how we pulled that off,” said Nick Wognum, who is part of the Ely Events Group.
Organizers have lined up three separate acts for this year, with Ranger Things playing its assortment of cover songs to open things up.
Sidestreet Detour is the middle act, while the events group settled on an encore for the finale.
The Reckoning, which thrilled hundreds in attendance at one of the 2024 concerts, will return and close out the show.
“We try to have a bit of diversity, a bit of something that everybody likes,” said Events Group member Misty Merhar.
But in addition to music, Rock the Park promises fun for the whole family.
As the adults enjoy the music, numerous activities are set up for kids including inflatables, sponsored by YoungLife.
Zup’s Food Market, meanwhile, will sponsor a watermelon feed, followed by a sawdust pile and medallion hunt, which were all hits a year ago.
“We didn’t realize last year how many adults would pile out of the park and head to the Little League field looking for the medallion,” said Wognum. “We’re going to make sure we have the street blocked off this year.”
An adult medallion hunt was added to the lineup this year while the one for kids is open to anyone age 12 or under.
“Even if your kids can’t walk yet, you can throw them into the sawdust pile,” said Events Group member Ammie Peterson.
The free watermelon feed begins around 6 p.m. and will lead to the sawdust pile and medallion hunts, all courtesy of Zup’s Food Market.
“It’s amazing how much they give back,” said Wognum.
Food trucks will also set up shop at the park and beverages will be sold by the Ely Fire Relief Association.
Rock the Park is a button event, and $5 buttons good for admission are available from any Ely Events Group member as well as Merhar’s Ace Hardware, Zup’s, the Ely Echo and KJ’s Hardware.
