I hope this doesn’t inconvenience you, but I am going to need you to cancel your plans for four Sundays this summer. Don’t worry, I have a good reason! Your plans were probably fine, but what if I told you these four Sundays were going to blow the roof off the Gazebo at Hartley Park in Lakewood?
Whoever has to fix the roof probably won’t enjoy it, but that’s not for you to worry about!
This FREE concert series features incredible talent from all over the country, including performances from your local favorites! Let’s break it down.
July 6th: Country Show with Sean Patrick McGraw & The James’, also featuring The Dryes from Nashville
For over two decades, Sean Patrick McGraw has been killing it all over the country. He has toured with Toby Keith and Trace Adkins. He has performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live, written a single for Montgomery Gentry, and composed and produced songs for film and TV.
McGraw has strong WNY ties. His wife is from Forestville, and he grew up wanting to play guitar like Keith Medley (from Big Tone), and has produced music with Uncle Ben’s Remedy. He is now returning to Chautauqua County to give Lakewood an epic performance.
The Dryes are an epic duo who launched their career in 2018 and have been grabbing America’s attention quickly. They showed off their talents on “The Voice” in season 22 and broke 10 million global streams! Coming out of Tennessee, this country bombshell has topped the CMT charts, toured with Jo Dee Messina, and is now making their way to Lakewood, NY for Rock The Lake!
July 27th: Hollywood Nights – Bob Seger Experience with opening act Interstate Daydream
Hollywood Nights – Bob Seger Experience is the ultimate Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band tribute. A 9-piece band out of New Jersey that has one goal: to carry on the legacy of Bob Seger and his unforgettable high-energy shows, roaring raspy vocals, and the groundwork Bob has laid over the past 30 years. If you are a true fan of Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, this is a performance you absolutely cannot miss!
Interstate Daydream, made up of Margie Tucker and Rick Emley, is a very familiar name to the Chautauqua County crowd. They play a little of everything from rock, country, new hits, and the classics! You might have recently caught them at MJ’s Tavern or during the opening weekend at Ellicottville Brewing on Chautauqua! Now, you’ll hear them opening up for Hollywood Nights at Rock The Lake at Hartley Park in Lakewood!
August 10th: The Rat Pack Show with special tribute to Barbra Streisand
The Rat Pack Tribute Show is a legendary tribute performance that has included the voices of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., and many more. The original Rat Pack was considered the founding fathers of Las Vegas, drawing visitors far and wide to witness their casino performances.
Today, a group of talented musicians helps you relive the 60’s with a stellar cast of the finest performers in the business. They are bringing a special performance to Hartley Park for Rock The Lake with a tribute to the legendary Barbra Streisand with the one and only Sharon Owens.
August 24th: Brass Transit – Chicago Tribute with opening act Furious George
Brass Transit is the world’s foremost Chicago tribute band! Formed in 2008, they have toured all over North America, dazzling audiences with flawless performances and spectacular attention to detail. Brass Transit goes beyond just replicating songs. They embody the music. Now, they are bringing their award-winning roster to Hartley Park for Rock The Lake!
Another local legend, Furious George, will be opening for Brass Transit with their wide range of rock music. Classic rock, 80s, 90s, grunge, metal, and their original music will satisfy everyone in the crowd!
Brought to you by The Lakewood Community Development Corporation
The LCDC was founded in 1993 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, and is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Lakewood, NY.
In 2004, they completed the Chautauqua Avenue Renewal Project. This included major improvements such as underground utilities, new street lights, new curbing and sidewalks, tree planting, the creation of Lakewood’s iconic clock tower, and Recognition Park. The $2.2M project was funded by local individuals, businesses, and foundations as well as the Town of Busti and the Village of Lakewood.
In 2023, the LCDC brought a brand new, state-of-the-art playground to Hartley Park. The project added unique, modern, and accessible equipment like a zipline, hill racing slides, a custom, imaginative-play treehouse, new park walkways and stairs, and ADA-accessible parking places. Anyone who has visited Hartley Park since its construction knows it’s one of the best playgrounds in Chautauqua County!
Now, the LCDC is bringing entertainment and events to Lakewood! The Rock The Lake summer concert series is going to be one of the highlights of the summer in all of WNY. You saw the performers and bands listed above. You won’t be able to convince many that this series is not going to ROCK! Let’s talk about some of the details.
The Details
You will want to follow the LCDC on Facebook to keep up with the different themes that will be featured during each concert. This will add something new, exciting, and interactive to each week’s event.
Don’t worry about packing a PB&J sandwich. The LCDC has some amazing food trucks lined up. The July 6th performance will have Mystic Smoke BBQ and Bucket Brigade Pizza on site. The other three concerts will have Mystic Smoke BBQ and Mother Cluckers keeping you fed!
Since every performance is completely free to attend, you might have a couple of extra bucks to use on the awesome raffle the LCDC has set up. You will have a chance to win the street-legal, 6-seat golf cart pictured below! You can purchase tickets for $10/each or 3 for $20. The winner will be drawn at the last show on August 24th at 4 PM. All proceeds go to the LCDC to help fund their future projects for Lakewood. The raffle begins and tickets go on sale on May 23rd.
Just so you won’t be taken by surprise on Sunday, Terrace Ave in front of Hartley Park will be closed as well as Chautauqua Ave between Terrace and Summit. Please plan your parking needs accordingly!
A huge shoutout to every sponsor who is helping make Rock The Lake and the raffle possible:
I am not sure how else to excite you! All that is left is for you to cancel all of your plans for July 6th, July 27th, August 10th, and August 24th from 2 – 5 PM. Not only will you be treated to some epic musical performances from award-winning bands and artists, but you’ll be surrounded by your neighbors and community. Nothing feels better than dancing and jamming alongside your friends, family, and strangers, A.K.A. soon-to-be friends!
We can’t wait to see you out at Hartley Park in Lakewood this summer! Let’s ROCK THE LAKE!