The 8th annual Rockin’ for the Troops concert presented by Operation Support Our Troops-America is slated for Sat., July 20, in Cantigny Park. The theme of the 2013 concert is “Only In America,” celebrating the 10-year anniversary of OSOT-America.
Headliner Ronnie Dunn of country music’s Brooks and Dunn, an ACM, CMA and Grammy winner, will take the stage for the evening’s entertainment.
Following opening ceremonies, the Kimo Williams Band, an all veteran band, will be starting the day off around 2:30PM. They will be followed by ARRA, and then another return performance by The Voices! Exact timing for all performances will be determined closer to the concert.
Unlike the previous seven concerts when Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band were the featured performers, due to a scheduling conflict, Sinise returns as one of this year’s sponsors, according to Deb Rickert, founder of Operation Support Our Troops-America in 2003. Since its inception, the one-day concert at Cantigny has raised nearly $2.5 million for the nonprofit organization in support of a growing array of programs and projects for U.S. troops, veterans and their families.
Every event presents a raffle as a fundraiser within the event. Raffle tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25. To date, raffle prizes include a 2013 Harley-Davidson® Sportster Iron 833 model XL883N and a Pasquale USA Custom Signature Guitar, complete with amplifiers and accessories such as pics and straps. Other items, now being secured, will be featured on the Rockin’ for Our Troops website.
Online Ticket Sales
Organizers, expecting another sell-out crowd for the all afternoon and evening event, said admission prices will remain the same as 2012, “a bargain at $25 each.” Tickets are on sale now online.
Gates will open at 12PM Sat., July 20, and entertainment is available throughout the day.
Folks who attend the concert bring lawn chairs, blankets, table snacks, umbrellas and set up party areas to enjoy all the festivities. Hospitality outreach tents, military displays, sponsor expo booths as well as commemoratives and collectibles provide plenty of activities in the park, too. Eight food vendors also will be available.
Members sell $25 admission tickets, too
The 2013 ticket kickoff for the July concert is slated for Mon. April 29, at the College of Dupage campus in Glen Ellyn. The final details are being worked out, according to organizers. Meanwhile, ticket distribution to OSOT-America members will begin at the next packing days, Thurs. April 18, and Sat., April 20.
Individuals who are unable to attend the concert can consider purchasing a ticket to donate to an active military person home on leave, stationed in the area, or a veteran from Hines Hospital. A purchased ticket ($25) , will cover OSOT-America’s cost of sending a box to a soldier serving in harms way.
“This concert is Osot-America’s primary fundraiser and enables the nonprofit organization to cover the $115,000 postage bill to send our Care Boxes (over 5,700–25 lb. boxes in 2012) to U.S. troops serving us in Afghanistan, Korea and Kuwait,” noted Betty Krupp, VP of the OSOT-America Board of Directors.
“It also affords us the ability to develop and offer many other programs for our military, their families while they are deployed as well as Families of our Fallen Heroes. We also continue to support Hines Hospital and the Fisher House. Our Leap of Faith program in partnership with the Army Golden Knights Jumping Team has gone nationwide this year. However, it is presently grounded due to the Sequestration,” Krupp added.
For more information about the concert, tickets or other program initiatives during the 10th anniversary year of the organization, visit Operation Support Our Troops-America or contact OSOT via e-mail at Rockin@osotamerica.org.
