Benefit concert rocks Roosevelt Park in Arnold

Roosevelt Park in Arnold was rockin’ for revenue Sunday.

The ninth annual Rockin’ Roosevelt Benefit Concert returned under sultry skies as hundreds of attendees enjoyed food, fellowship and live music performed by 11 bands.

Organizer Lou Downard said the event typically raises $2,000-$3,000 and all proceeds are used to maintain the park and keep it open during the summer months.

“We did have past years where the park was closed if we didn’t have the money,” Downard said.

The all-day, family-friendly festival featured music from Mad Alice, Mojo, The Epics, The Gruuve Band, Miss Freddye’s Blues Band, Heidi & The Hellcats, Rumble 13, River City Blues, Risen to Save, Big House Pete and Elias Khouri.

Downard said all of the musicians volunteer to perform for the cause and are not compensated.

The event is sponsored by the New Ken/Arnold Social in the Park Committee.

Arnold resident and new mom Chelsy Cessna brought her toddler son, Griffin, and said having the park open all summer is important to her.

She said she resides close to the historic park and would have to leave Arnold if the park were closed.

She said her son’s first concert event was a hit.

“We’re just enjoying the nice weather and listening to the bands. We’re waiting on Dad to arrive so we can get a funnel cake,” Cessna said.

Six food vendors and food trucks offered homemade chicken wings, cotton candy, pizza, gourmet coffees and more.

The picnic-style vibe was evident at hundreds of attendees settled in under shade trees on blankets and chairs.

Arnold native Suzanne Davis, 62, grew up playing in Roosevelt Park.

She lives in West Deer but said she has fond memories of roller and ice skating in the park’s paved open patio area.

“In the winter they would freeze the area and have barrel fires, and there was popcorn in the summers, too,” Davis recalled. “Back in my day, we came here everyday.”

Arnold Mayor Joe Bia said it’s nice to have a live event again after last year’s concert was canceled because of the pandemic.

“It brings everyone together,” he said of the eight-hour festival.

Bia said last year about 10 trucks roamed Arnold with wandering minstrels in the trucks playing music for residents since Rockin’ Roosevelt didn’t happen.