Springfield event to benefit Oregon District shooting victims, families

Rockland Entertainment, 6001 Lower Valley Pike, will bring in 14 bands, music artists and DJs from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. There will be no cover charge, but organizers are requesting that attendees make a donation to the cause, with proceeds going to the Dayton Foundation.

RELATED: Springfield mother who lost son in Colorado shooting wants to help Dayton

There will be 50/50 raffles and other prize donations that will go to the cause.

Katie Frank, who does marketing for Rockland, which just opened to the public on Aug. 3, was contacted earlier this week by Chad Rowe, who already had several artists lined up, from rock bands and rappers to DJ wanting to donate their talents to bring in proceeds.

“A lot of people were touched by this tragedy and we wanted to help,” said Frank. “I put the poster up yesterday and it already had 5,000 people looking at it and 100 shares. Luckily, we’re a large venue and we have three stages, one outside.”

RELATED: Springfield shooting victim planned to paint grandchild’s bedroom for birthday gift 

Rowe, who manages Prophesy, one of the artists, knew he wanted to support the cause and called many of the local performers he knew, all of whom were eager to help out.

“We wanted to do whatever we could to help, community to community and there was a sense of urgency,” said Rowe.

Although he had organized a solidarity march a few years ago, this was Rowe’s first attempt at a benefit and he has appreciated Frank’s willingness to help and offer Rockland for the event.

RELATED: Family of Springfield native killed in Dayton shooting asks for prayer

Rockland already had a headliner scheduled in Southbound Ride, performing at 9.

Frank said the event was still coming together on Thursday and that getting equipment was a challenge, but it’s worth it to help. Rockland will be a venue for all musical genres and the benefit will reflect that.

“We hope a lot of people will come out and support this,” she said.

For a lineup or more information, go to www.facebook.com/therockmadriver/.