Live music and fireworks set for Father's Day Eve
Radlin Rootz will be rockin’ the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park as the headline band in a Father’s Day Eve Concert and Fireworks event, set for Saturday, June 17, at 5 p.m.
The family friendly event will also feature music by Sparky Seymour and Atlas. Tom Schmitz, host of “Ocala Talks” on 96.3 FM and 1370 AM radio, will serve as emcee.
Food vendors for the event will include Big Lee’s-Serious About Barbecue; The Krafty Kettle; Kona Ice; Jeremiah’s Italian Ice and Sonic Drive- In, according to an organizer.
Radlin Rootz , a six-member rock, country, and jazz group, offers a blend of multipart vocals, wailing guitars, keyboard, drums and bass and have you dancing in the park with classics like Janis Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee.”
Joe Brown, an Ocala native, Marion County Fire Rescue firefighter and paramedic, is lead guitarist. He said Radlin’ Rootz is honored to play at the park and raise awareness about veterans and the venue.
Brown said he will be watching the audience for feedback.
“Seeing the crowd enjoy the music, dance, and not think about the stress of everyday life, that’s the best part about playing,” Brown said during a recent band practice session.
Entry is $20 for people age 18 and older; those 17 and younger can enter free.
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Proceeds from the event will benefit park improvements and additional monuments. This is all part of a program by Friends of Marion County’s Veterans Park Foundation in cooperation with county officials.
Ron Oppliger, chairman of FMCVPF, said the group has added educational QR codes to monuments in the park, placed a monument to victims of Agent Orange and completed the “50 state flags” renovation. An additional 22 improvements have been approved by county officials.
Planned upgrades include a digital entry sign and Gold Star Family Parking sign, along with a lighted Landmark Monument on East Silver Springs Boulevard.
Oppliger wants to be sure the park remains vital and relevant to visitors and veterans of all ages, and he seeks involvement by families and the entire community.
Lance Long, an MCFR lieutenant firefighter and paramedic, served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1998 to 2003, including being in the first fleet deployment to Afghanistan.
Long said visiting the park and viewing the monuments is a better way to learn about and gain an appreciation for the service and sacrifice of America’s veterans than learning out of a book. He praised FMCVPF's efforts to keep the park alive.
Long was instrumental in putting Radlin Rootz in communication with FMCVPF officials for the Father’s Day Eve fundraiser.
Long plans to visit the Father’s Day Eve event with his wife, Denise, and their children: Aiden, 15; Kalyn, 12; Luke, 6; and Dylan, 3.
According to RadlinRootz.com, the band members have about 100 years combined experience and their sound has been known cause rattling or “radlin” of objects like bottles near the band when they’re rockin.’
“We are in the process of writing originals and developing our own signature sound. Our goal is to have an album out by the end of 2023,” Brown stated.
If you go
What: Father’s Day Eve Concert and Fireworks event in the Ocala- Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, 2601 NE 26th Terrace, Ocala.
When: Saturday, June 17. Gates open 3 p.m.; event starts at 5 p.m.
Cost: $20 for ages 18 and up; 17 and under free
More information:Marionvetpark.com/fathers-day-concert
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: June 17 in Ocala: Celebrating the day before Father's Day
