By Mindy Ragan Wood
and Alyssa Sperrazza
The Rock the Route musical festival went to the top of the fan charts last Thursday, with thousands piling onto Main Street to see performances by The Damn Quails!, the Josh Abbott Band and Casey Donahew.
Face painting, mechanical bull riding, rock climbing and inflatable slides offered fun for families and kids.
The Main Street Association hosted a text-to-win booth event at the concert. Those who texted the association were entered into a drawing for big prizes including discounts to stores and restaurant gift cards.
Other opportunities to win included a signed guitar from all three bands, hosted by the House of Healing, a horse ranch for at-risk teen girls. The organization sold raffle tickets and announced Jon Miller was the winner after the concert.
However, there were a few hitches during the event. A couple was turned away from the concert because they brought their dog, a small male Boston Terrier.
“It kind of sucks because we didn’t know, and he’s never been a problem before,” Abby Miller said.
Others managed to sneak in their pets undetected and enjoyed all the concert had to offer.
Shops along Main Street stayed open, allowing people to browse and escape the summer heat.
Stephanie Hale, owner of the boutique Urban Oaks on 66, said the festival brings in a lot of new customers.
“We get a lot of repeat business from the festival,” Hale said, as customers browsed the store.
Yukon resident, Kevin Waltman, said he wouldn’t change a thing about Rock the Route and enjoys coming back every year.
“My favorite things are the fantastic people, all the smiles, the smells from the food truck, and just everything… it’s fun,” Waltman said. “And the music [was] fantastic this year.”
