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Rock the Park: London's Largest Outdoor Music Festival

Commonly referred to as The Forest City, London is a beautiful spot for an Ontario getaway, featuring more than 200 parks and preserves. The city has served as a center for art and culture in the region for decades and visitors will find numerous examples including the Grand Theater, Museum London, Forest City Gallery, and Old East Village. Those in search of outdoor adventure should make their way to Boler Mountain, which offers hiking and biking trails and a comprehensive treetop zip-lining course.

 

Rock the Park Music Festival has brought top music performers to London since it started 14 years ago, and this year’s event will take place July 12 - 16, at Harris Park in Downtown London. The festival is one of the largest outdoor music events in the region, attracting more than 40,000 people annually. It features a variety of music genres and some of the biggest music performers on the planet including Lady Antebellum, Wiz Khalifa, The Offspring, and more. The event will also feature a marketplace with vendors selling unique items and a food court with options for every palate. The event donates a portion of its proceeds to local charities each year, and this year’s recipients include Make-A-Wish of Southwestern Ontario, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of London and Area, and more. We got the opportunity to interview Myriah Kay, a representative for the event, to learn more about this unique celebration.

 

RAL: How long has the event been running?

MK: Rock the Park is entering its 14th year in 2017.

 

RAL: How many annual participants do you draw?

MK: We expect to see approximately 40,000 - 50,000 attendees over the five days.

 

RAL: What demographic does your event attract? Children? Families? Couples?

MK: The Festival is perfect for all ages, and we typically see families, couples, singles, and groups of friends.

 

RAL: What makes this event unique?

MK: Each night we have a particular genre and age demographic, offering a little something for everyone.

 

RAL: Take me through the activities of a day at the event.

MK: We feature live music, a variety of vendors, games, photo booths, and more.

 

RAL: Will there be any guest appearances?

MK: We have six hours of non-stop live music featuring some of the most famous musicians in the world.

 

RAL: What dining options will attendees encounter?

MK: There will be a variety of food and beverage vendors catering to all needs.

 

RAL: What is the environment like?

MK: Our event has a friendly atmosphere and beautiful backdrop of Downtown London alongside the Thames River.

 

RAL: Are there any lodging specials that are set up specifically for the event.

MK: We partner with the Station Park All Suite Hotel. They offer special Rock the Park rates.

 

RAL: Does this drive business to your local economy?

MK: The thousands of festival attendees spend a significant amount of money at businesses all over London. Many local businesses rely on Rock the Park during the summer months to boost their overall sales.

  

RAL: Does the event support a particular cause in the community?

MK: Since the beginning, we have supported local charities and have raised over $2.6 million for numerous causes. This year we are supporting Make-A-Wish of Southwestern Ontario, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of London and Area, Brandon Prust Foundation, and Western Mustangs Football.

 

RAL: Why should people come to your event?

MK: Rock the Park has been London’s largest outdoor festival for 14 years. It's become a staple in the city and surrounding communities. By continuously catering to the demands of attendees, we’ve been able to grow the festival all while maintaining an excellent fan base.


For more information about the Rock the Park Music Festival, please visit the event website.