The Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity (SHOP) will host Rocking The Hook 2022 Concert on Saturday, October 1, on the Sandy Hook Village Green, 5 Glen Road, from noon until 8 pm.

Rocking The Hook host SHOP, and Title Sponsor Farrell Communities, invite everyone to join them for the annual event returning for the first time since 2019.

Held on the green overlooking the beautiful Pootatuck River, there will be plenty of music, food, and beverages to enjoy. Admission is free, but a donation will be accepted to benefit SHOP’s current project, The Heritage Trail.

Family activities confirmed this week also include a bounce house, face painting, and visits with Newtown-Strong Therapy Dogs.

Enthusiasm for the event is high, as noted by SHOP VP Joe Hemingway, who said it is “exciting to have our Sandy Hook Concert back. We have some great bands lined up, food trucks and music; it’s going to be a lot of fun — please come down and help us raise funds to complete our Heritage Trail. It’s going to be a great day!”

Event Coordinator Maribeth Hemingway concurred, saying she and others are excited to be back after a two-year hiatus

“Our patrons will be entertained by music from four highly talented bands: The Dirt Road Pickers, performing noon to 1:30; Blonde & Grey starting at 2, The Traveling Danburys at 4, and Green Eyed Lady at 6.”

Food from FD Chefs and El Taco Loco will be featured in addition to fare available from several establishments within walking distance.

SHOP has added a Beverage Tent to Rocking The Hook, which will be serving beer, wine, and water. Among the offerings will be wines from Aquila’s Nest Vineyard in Sandy Hook. Bartenders will be serving from noon until last call at 7:30 pm.

Parking for the event has been reserved at Newtown United Methodist Church (92 Church Hill Road) and The Villa Restaurant (4 Riverside Road).

SHOP President Mike Burton is also looking forward to the return of Rocking The Hook.

“Please come to Sandy Hook on October 1 to enjoy the free concert,” he said. “Come say Hi to me in the beer and wine tent, where I’ll be working.”

The tent will be set up on the site of the future Heritage Park.

Burton also added his thanks to this year’s event sponsors: Union Savings Bank, Ingersoll Auto of Danbury, Rotary Club of Newtown, and eFriend Marketing, in addition to the aforementioned Farrell Communities.