McHenry foundation to host concerts to raise funds for local splash pad

Tickets for the concert are available online at riseupmchenry.org

A local foundation will host a pair of concerts on Friday and Saturday in hopes of raising money to build a splash pad in McHenry.

The RISE Up Foundation will play host to rock bands Sugar Ray and Smash Mouth on Friday and county singers Brantley Gilbert and Chase Rice on Saturday to raise funds to build a splash pad at the Fort McHenry park in McHenry. RISE stands for revitalize, invest, succeed and encourage.

The event will take place at Petersen Park off McCullom Lake Road in McHenry.

Friday’s concert theme is Rock the Lake and will be headlined by Sugar Ray, a California rock band that became popular in the 1990s. Their most recent album, Little Yachty, was released in 2019. They will be joined by Smash Mouth, another band that grew to popularity in the 1990s. Their cover of the song “I’m a Believer” is in the soundtrack to the movie “Shrek.” Rock band Nine Days will be the opening act. Tickets for Friday can be bought online and start at $15.

Saturday’s concert will be headlined by country singer Brantley Gilbert, who was nominated in 2016 by Billboard Music Awards for top country artist of the year. Gilbert will be joined by Chase Rice whose song “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” with country band Florida Georgia Line was No. 8 in the American County Countdown for the week of Sept. 20. They will be joined by Jon Langston, Austin Burke and Zach Miller. Tickets for Saturday can be bought online and start at $45.

Gates open at 5 p.m. Friday and 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Parking will be in a field at the park off McCullom Lake Road.

Food trucks will be available on site, and drink tickets can be bought in advance online.

The RISE Up Foundation was founded in 2019 by McHenry Mayor Wayne Jett and his wife, Amber, with the goal of generating funding for projects to benefit children and families, according to its website. This year’s project focuses on park improvements, specifically a zero-depth splash pad at the Fort McHenry park, located on Route 120 in McHenry across from Zion Lutheran Church.

Information about the fundraiser and the event can be found online at riseupfoundationmchenry.org.