Some of the many people who helped put on a tremendous show. Pictured, from the left, first row: Jadzia Cafe, Cali Christian; second row: Heather Tipton, Katie Holser; third row: Angie Miller, Jeremy Camp, Kathy Stouffer, Laura Chase, Scott Saunders, and and fourth row: Jeremy Ryan and Mark Boyer. (EXAMINER PHOTO | SHARYN KOPF)
The crowds were plentiful, the weather was perfect, and the music was inspired as our community enjoyed Rise FM’s ninth annual Rock the Lake concert at Indian Lake’s Old Field Beach in Lakeview on Saturday, Aug. 5.
Thanks to its sponsors, led by RV Wholesalers, the concert was free to the public, though attendees could buy upgraded tickets for reserved seating and parking as well as meet and greets with the artists. And those sales, according to the general manager at Rise FM, Mark Boyer, were the strongest they’ve seen.
“That’s a good sign the free seating will fill up too,” he said.
Heather Tipton, the community relations manager at Rise FM, agreed, adding, “I’ve never seen this big of a crowd before” of an estimated 6,000 who attended Saturday.
Of course, Rock the Lake is really about sharing the love of God through music. This year they had a hitmaker with headliner Jeremy Camp, who’s had 37 No. 1 Christian music hits like “I Still Believe” and “Dead Man Walking.” A biopic about Camp’s life, which starred Gary Sinise and Shania Twain as his parents, came out in 2020.
Artist Rachael Lampa, known for her hit “Perfectly Loved,” opened the show, followed by David Leonard. Leonard has seen success with songs like “Good Lord” and “Every Hour.”
Lampa was particularly impressed with the venue.
“We got to our Airbnb at 1 a.m. (Saturday morning),” she said. “I had no idea this lake was here, and I was blown away this was our view. We got a show while everyone else did too.”
The night also included multiple food trucks alongside booths set up by area organizations and non-profits.
Local businesses that made the night possible, besides RV Wholesalers, were Colepak, Southgate Veterinary Clinic, Sunlight Windows, Kelly’s Septic Services, McDonald’s and Lee’s Roofing.
Rock the Lake is typically hosted the first Saturday of August.