CLARENCE (WBEN) - Friends Doug Sitler and Paul Stephen came up with and executed the idea that became Rock the Barn back in 2005, the annual two-day Clarence music festival that raises money for the local Meals on Wheels program.
After some initial success, Stephen, who also serves as chairman of the Meals on Wheels Taskforce for Clarence, Akron & Newstead, decided to pursue a major fundraising goal.
"We set a goal of hitting $1 million, so it will self-fund itself for years and years and years to come," said Stephen.
In the ensuing Rock the Barns, they ensured the event got more sophisticated - gathering more sponsors and volunteers, building their own stage, focusing on marketing and promoting, and of course, that led to more and more dollars every year after.
"Sixteen years later, we're going to hit $1 million in the endowment," Stephen continued.
Rock the Barn was originally conceived as the "Barn Dance" in 2005 by Sitler during an off-road tour of a 90-acre farm tract that Paul and Jim Stephen had recently purchased.
Noel Dill and Tim Kulbacki rounded out the team that set up and promoted that first event which was held as a private fundraiser. With a small group of volunteers and a single band, that first "Barn Dance" drew about 250 people and raised $4,000 for Meals on Wheels.
"It always seemed like an almost unobtainable goal, but doing the event every year, the money has raised up until we reached that point," added Sitler. "It's truly amazing what Paul and his company does to support the community and to support Meals on Wheels."
But since the goal has been reached and the organization will now be able to fund itself, this year's event, which takes place Friday and Saturday, will be the last.
"Instead of looking at this as the last Rock the Barn, it should be looked at as a celebratory event," said Sitler. "$1 million has been raised and (has created) an endowment, so it's really a gift that will keep on giving for many, many years to come."
The event will take place rain or shine, and it's $20 for tickets at Dash's Market or at the Rock the Barn website.
