The annual Rock the Block event is set to take place once again, this time, on Aug. 16 throughout St. Paul, with music, food, giveaways and sales happening from 11 a.m. onwards. Five Star Pawn and the St.
The annual Rock the Block event is set to take place once again, this time, on Aug. 16 throughout St. Paul, with music, food, giveaways and sales happening from 11 a.m. onwards.
Five Star Pawn and the St. Paul Journal will be partnering to serve free hot dogs and pop from 11 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Five Star Pawn's parking lot. Businesses like Next to New, Amazing Prices, Yvonne's Gone Quilting, Angel's Party Rentals and more will be offering deals and discounts, while new restaurant Twisted Fork is offering a surprise inside. Non-profits are also joining the action, with the St. Paul & District Arts Foundation holding a chalk art contest, a new circus program demo, and other fun activities for the family.
“The biggest thing is we're telling people that we're trying to create an environment that brings people back downtown,&” said St. Paul & District Chamber of Commerce Linda Sallstrom. She explained the event is meant to bring something to businesses, people and the community, and get people walking around and thinking about shopping local.
“It's nice to see that it's growing and nice to see businesses are participating,&” she said.
Town of St. Paul FCSS will be holding its block party activities and games for kids on 49th Street north of 50th Avenue, which will be blocked off to street traffic. This year, a critter display is planned nearby, with critter owner and science teacher Diana Richer offering her knowledge to kids.
Rock the Block originally stemmed from St. Paul Champions for Change's drive to bring people downtown by putting on music events, with the St. Paul Journal and the Chamber of Commerce encouraging businesses to get on board.
Penny Fox, chair for Champions for Change, says this year, music will start in the park by the St. Paul Foundry at 11 p.m., with the format to be an open mic event. There will be a stage and equipment set up, so people simply have to plug in and play, she said. People who are interested in being part of the music can call to confirm their attendance with Fox, at 780-645-8723.
The evening wraps up with popular local band Boomtown, which has played the street party for the past two years and drawn upwards of 200 people for music and dancing. Boomtown starts the show at 7 p.m. and performs until - hopefully - 9 p.m., said Fox.
“We're hoping this year we can get through to the end of the dance without rain,&” said Fox, chuckling as she recalled that the last couple of years, the last quarter of the show saw the skies open up and pour.
“The reason we do it is to get people outside in the summer and bring people downtown, so we encourage people to come.&”
And while activity may be centred around the downtown core, Fox and Sallstrom said that businesses and organizations across St. Paul are encouraged to take advantage of the day and invite people to see what they too have to offer.
