The huge bi-annual Gettysburg Rocks music festival continues this weekend around Adams County at 12 venues and featuring 130 musical performances. The fundraising event has been held every February and August since 2014, with the exception of August 2020 and February 2021 during the pandemic.
See the complete schedule here.
Not only is it a great event for musicians and music lovers, Gettysburg Rocks also is a fundraiser for Four Diamonds. For 47 years Four Diamonds been the sole beneficiary of the Penn State THON, the dance marathon that raises money to conquer childhood cancer. Four Diamonds is associated with Penn State Health Children’s Hospital and is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer by assisting children and their families through superior care, comprehensive support and innovative research.
Rob Simon (aka Bald Rob) and his team of volunteers make Gettysburg Rocks happen through lots of planning and plain old hard work. Since the number of venues within the Gettysburg zip code are limited, the event has expanded its geographical footprint to New Oxford, Hanover, East Berlin, Biglerville, and Thomasville. This requires a lot of logistical planning and cooperation from the managers of the many venues.
This whole idea came about when Rob’s daughter, Ashley, was a student at Penn State Mont Alto. She asked her dad for help with their THON fundraiser. Since Rob knew a lot of musical artists through his Bald Rob – Under the Radar radio program and through his status as front man for the band Robbing Noll, he got to work organizing the first event.
Over an 11-week period, the first Gettysburg Rocks was planned, created, and held over the weekend of Feb. 7, 2014. The event raised $14,000. The musicians who came together to donate their time, talents, and equipment were inspired and excited by the experience, as were the volunteers, so another event was planned for August of that same year. Since 2014 the event has raised $329,859.
While Simon is the Field General for the event, there are many others who help out, including Mike Calandrelle and his wife Sharon.
Mike said his granddaughter Breanna was helped by Four Diamonds when she was being treated for leukemia. Four Diamonds social workers met with the family and provided meal and gas vouchers. They told the family; “you focus on yourselves and Breeanna, and we will take care of everything else.”
After 5 years in treatment, Breeana has recovered and is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the day she received her bone marrow transplant. Four Diamonds covered everything that insurance would not. This was in addition to the other financial and emotional support they provided.
There’s something for everyone at Gettysburg Rocks – from gentle acoustic singer/songwriters and duos to heavy metal, and every genre in between. Many performers are local favorites, and some are those who just show up at an open mic. Other musicians travel from Virginia, New Jersey, and New York. Many are professional traveling bands who play large festivals, and some have been the opening acts for major recording artists. These folks all come together to raise money for the kids.
“For the Kids” is the rallying cry at each of the shows because it is also the purpose and tagline used by Penn State THON. It reminds everyone why such efforts and energy are put into these events. If you haven’t attended before, you should come out to enjoy some great music and donate “For the Kids”.
Rob and his amazing organisational skills are something of a marvel! Gettysburg Rocks is a wonderful way for folks to express their desire to help defeat a cruel disease. Rob has tapped into something worthy of recognition. His steadfastness and dedication for the cause is remarkable!
Everyone associated with GR does so out of the goodness of their hearts and a strong desire to see childhood cancer disappear forever. To do it with music in this way is fantastic!