Rocktoberfest: Hair bands, polka and fun for the family

Break out the leather pants and bandanas. It’s Rocktoberfest this Saturday.

Okay, the leather pants might be a bit much for Saturday afternoon — probably not as many children are donning '80s rock-wear these days, and leather pants aren’t usually seen at polka concerts. But with a little bit of everything planned for Saturday at the Dakota County Fairgrounds, maybe leather pants aren’t out of the question after all.

The Farmington Rotary Club has got a full day of family activity planned this weekend, with the age-old “fun for everyone” theme attached. The activities that are scheduled for the club’s first Rocktoberfest really do have a little bit of everything.

“It’s an event we wanted to have for the community of Farmington,” said Rotary president Anika Rychner. “We’ve got a lot of different things planned all day.”

The daytime activities are family-oriented, with food vendors, a dunk tank, inflatables and other games beginning at 2 p.m. and continuing until 7 p.m. The dunk tank, Rychner said, features Farmington mayor Todd Larson and Farmington High School football players in the dunk seat. The family band, The Divers, will play at 2 p.m., followed by polka band Karl and the Country Dutchmen at 4:30 p.m.

Admission to the daytime family evens is $1 per person, though parking is free. Parents who wish to come back that evening to hear the 80s cover band Hairball can get a wrist band that will trim $1 off the price of admission to the evening’s events.

To say Hairball has a loyal following may be an understatement. Buses are scheduled to bring fans to town from Rosemount and Lakeville. The Hairball concert is open to ages 16 and older, though adults 21 and older will be given a wristband so they can buy alcohol at the show. Admission to Hairball is $10 per person. Tickets are available in advance from Rotary members or at the gate. Hairball will play from 8 to 11 p.m.

Rotary members are also selling raffle tickets for a number of prizes, including a four-day, three-night all inclusive trip to Las Vegas, donated by Travel Leaders in Apple Valley; a senior portrait package donated by Heikkila Studios; a massage every month for a year from Hadler Chiropractic; and many other prizes. Winners of the raffle prizes will be announced during Hairball’s first break. Raffle tickets are also being sold in advance, as well as during Rocktoberfest events.

Making it local

The Farmington Rotary Club has been around since 1992, and for years the club sponsored fun shoot at the Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club near Prior Lake. While it was a good fundraiser for the local program, it was not held locally. That’s something Rotary members decided to change this year.

“We wanted it to be in Farmington for Farmington people,” Rychner said.

Much of the money raised this weekend will go right back into the community, Rychner added. Since Rotary is primarily a service organization, the group supports Farmington through donations to numerous programs. The club gives several scholarships to high school seniors, helps to pay for benches in city parks and supports the Adopt-A-Highway program and the Community Action Council. They recognize a Student of the Month, and, this year, plan to recognize a Senior Citizen of the Month.

“Since (1992), we have given out over $40,000 to the community,” Rychner said. “We’re hoping to increase that amount through doing a bigger fundraiser such as this.”

The event also gives Rotary a chance to share information about its programs with the community.

“We’re always on the lookout for new members,” Rychner said. “This is a real event to show the community what Rotary is all about.”

For more information on Farmington Rotary and Saturday’s events, visit the club’s Web site, www.farmingtonrotarymn.com.

Tickets for the Hairball concert are available at the Farmington Independent office, 312 Oak St.

Tags: arts and entertainment, lifestyle