Rock-a-thon takes on drugs

Live music, food, games and prizes will fill Spirit Lake City Park this weekend as part of a youth group’s push for a drug-free community.

The Drug-Free Community Rock-a-thon kicks off Friday evening with a concert by We as Human, an alternative rock band from Sandpoint.

Other bands will play Saturday, and the group Boarders for Christ will perform skateboard tricks starting at 11 a.m.

It’s the first major event planned by Spirit Lake Youth Equipped for Success, or YES.

The group was founded last fall with the goal of bringing a youth center to Spirit Lake.

That goal remains, but program coordinator Crystal Owens said the group also wants to provide immediate opportunities for teens and preteens through mentoring, field trips and recreational activities.

About 80 kids have used the programs since January, Owens said.

The weekend event is a chance for the community to support the group and learn how to help, she said.

“One of our main keys is just to do some networking and collaborative efforts,” Owens said.

“Basically, that’s how our program got started.”

Spirit Lake Mayor Roxy Martin and Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol, will speak Friday about substance abuse and encourage residents to do all they can to discourage drug use.

Owens promoted the kickoff concert Friday night as a rare opportunity to hear the up-and-coming band We as Human.

“They’re well-known, and they’re really getting booked,” she said.

“We’re very blessed to be able to have them support us in this way.”

Other bands – Making the Day, Isenheart, Hero of Time, Unison, Fires of Scottsboro and the Gutterballs – will perform Saturday beginning at 1:30 p.m.

The day’s activities begin at 10 a.m. with food booths, activities and prizes.

Friday’s event runs from 6 until 10 p.m. Admission is free.

“Our main purpose is just to get the place as packed out as possible,” Owens said. “If it goes well, we’ll make this an annual thing.”