FRANK LEWIS

PDT Staff Writer

Lisa Roberts, RN, of the Portsmouth City Health Department and the Scioto County Drug Action Team, said tickets are now on sale for a concert featuring nationally-known songwriter and recording artist Rick Ferrell, on Saturday, Aug. 4 at Tracy Park as a part of the Scioto Rally for Recovery.

“We have 10 area bands entered in the competition,” Roberts said. “They will get cash prizes, $500 for first place; $300 for second place and $200 for third place. The two winners get to warm up the River Days main act, which is Night Ranger.”

The Brothers of the Wheel Motorcycle Club “poker run” begins with registration at noon, leaving on their run at 2 p.m. traveling out to the Otway Covered Bridge. That will be followed by an open stage for approximately one and a half hours. The “Recovery Rocks!/Scioto’s Got Talent,” will feature local performers on the stage. It gets underway at 5 p.m., continuing through 7 p.m.

West Portsmouth’s Jake Tolliver will be the opening act for Ferrell’s concert which lasts from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for a reserved seat. She said tickets are available at the Portsmouth City Health Department, located at 605 Washington St., in Portsmouth from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

There will be inflatables for the kids, paint ball - featuring sponge bullets, rock climbing, a joust game, free health screenings, food, drinks and games.

“Domino’s Pizza has donated 100 pizzas in memory of Garrett (Maloney), so we will be selling pizza that day; hot dogs; lemon shake-ups, pop and more,” Roberts said.

In addition to the Garrett Maloney Foundation, the Scioto County Drug Action Team, and the Brothers of the Wheel Motorcycle Club, the Scioto County Health Coalition, the River Days Committee, the Counseling Center, SOLACE, the Center for Appalachian Philanthropy and Life Ambulance, will be partnering to sponsor the day’s activities. The SCDAT is putting up several thousand dollars to stage the event.

Roberts said the purpose of the first annual event is to promote a spirit of unity among the citizens of the region by providing an opportunity for family fun, fellowship, entertainment, and cultural advancement.

“We believe that this area has many assets; in talent, nature, and hospitality,” Roberts said. “The Rally for Recovery will bring together a unique set of partners and allow for our community to join in the process of restoring health and prosperity to the region while enjoying the fun and festivities at Tracy Park.”

Roberts said the Rally for Recovery is intended to be a celebration of the area’s past successes in the war on illegal prescription drugs with a focus on the community’s future.

“We believe that our citizens are our greatest asset. We believe that our community is resilient and can overcome hardship,” Roberts said. “Our main goal is to bring the community together for the purpose of celebration and restoration. Proceeds from this event will be donated to local health programs that assist our neighbors in need of addiction treatment assistance.”

At around 10:30 p.m., SOLACE will close out the day’s festivities with a Luminary Launch.

“Luminaries are these little things that you put a fire in them and they go up and they float,” Roberts said. “We’re not going to do fires because it’s just too dangerous. We’re going to have the balloons with LED lights in them that glow in the dark. They will all go up at one time.”

Roberts said more information is available at www.sciotorallyforrecovery.org.

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 234, or flewis@heartlandpublications.com.