Published: September 03, 2009 11:44 pm      

CITY OF LOCKPORT: ‘Bigger, better’ New Year’s Eve bash planned

Fireworks at Rockin’ The Locks this year?

If the community’s willing to support them, absolutely, says organizer Gary Chapman.

The general manager of Papa Leo’s restaurant, Main Street, wants to put on the city’s biggest and best New Year’s Eve celebration yet. He’s already holding fundraisers and courting sponsors to support a bash in the Ulrich City Centre courtyard, with heated tents, food vendors, live bands, kids’ games and a petting zoo, a ball drop and fireworks shot from the roof of the city parking garage.

Rockin’ the Locks “has the potential to be really big, like First Night Buffalo,” Chapman said. “I’ve always had visions of it being bigger and better, especially after my involvement in the Dog Day of Summer” fundraiser for Chet Secrist.

Chapman asked Mayor Michael Tucker last month for the chance to take over Rockin’ the Locks planning, and Tucker readily agreed. Over the course of five previous events, fireworks were talked about, but the expense was never included in the city budget.

“We definitely welcome Gary’s help; he has event-planning experience — and fireworks would be really cool,” Tucker said. “We should make City Centre the focal point of every (citywide event). That’s kind of what it was built for.”

City Centre owner David Ulrich has agreed to the move, Chapman said.

Now it’s up to Chapman to get the community involved in the planning, and execution, of a bigger, better New Year’s Eve party. Letters are going out to about 120 businesses and individuals Chapman hopes will agree to help “sponsor” the event, meaning kick in cash to cover the cost of tent rentals, fireworks and other elements.

He’s also coordinating a Blues Festival at Historic Palace Theatre, on Nov. 21, as a Rockin’ The Locks fundraisers. The headliner is Johnny James Blues Band, a national recording artist. They’ll be joined in the festival by local bands The Headers, Stoll Brothers and the Flyin’ Blind Blues Band.

Also, a fundraising raffle is ongoing through Jan. 3. Prizes including a $100 gift card from Tops, dinner for up to 40 people from Papa Leo’s and a 60-inch LCD TV donated by Aaron’s Inc. will be awarded in time for Super Bowl XLIV. Raffle tickets can be purchased at Papa Leo’s and Aaron’s, 1 Walnut St.

Already, volunteers and sponsors are stepping up to support the event, Chapman said. The Palace donated space for the Blues Festival, Lakeview Animal Sanctuary will set up the petting zoo and Tom Brigham of Gasport, who arranges the July 4 fireworks show at Royalton Ravine, is taking charge of the New Year’s Eve fireworks.

Depending on the size of their donation, sponsors will receive a number of free tickets to the Blues Festival and a V.I.P. heated tent at the New Year’s Eve event, plus publicity. To discuss a sponsorship, call Chapman at 990-5494; or mail donations (checks payable) to Lockport Promotions, 6290 Robinson Road, Lockport, NY 14094.