It’s that time of year where toys take center stage at area bars in Macomb County in advance of the Christmas holidays.
Workers at various venues have been at work for months organizing the events in an effort to assist families that could use a little extra help during the holidays.
Here’s a look at some of the events lined up:
- The 16th annual Rock 4 Tots — No Child Without a Christmas takes place Saturday and Sunday with dozens of Detroit musicians performing non-stop at Freddy’s Bar & Grill in Clinton Township.
Rock 4 Tots presents mini-sets and holiday tunes from 55 bands and musicians such as Chit, Bernadette Kathryn and the Lonely Days Band, Crazy Babies Ozzy Rebourne, FJT & the Igniters, Aaron Letrick & Kenny Olson, 86 Noodles, Dead Cat Alley, Devil’s Child and more.
The volunteer-driven event last year raised $26,000 and lots of toys for the Clinton Township Goodfellows to make sure every local child has a toy for Christmas.
“It started out years ago with two people and a couple of bands,” said Paul Silvestri, head of the Goodfellows. “Now it’s turned into a huge two-day event that everyone looks forward to.”
The toys, gift cards and cash are distributed to about 160 local families, Silvestri said.
The event is put on by a committee of local organizers, which includes event co-founders James Klapp an Margie Anders, WRIF-FM (101.1)’s “Screamin’” Scott Randall, and musician/entertainer and all-around funnyman “Loco” Joe Evangelista.
The Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise honored the committee by naming them as the cruise’s grand marshals this past summer.
“This year presents a unique set of challenges as the need for help in the community is greater than ever with today’s economy squeezing families more than ever and it is truly amazing how the local music community, their fans and the public in general come to support these two incredible days of music and joy,” Evangelista said in a news release.
Santa Claus will be on hand both days for pictures with attendees from 2-6 p.m.. There will also be raffle baskets, 50/50’s, guitars, a custom made Led Zeppelin rug, and a custom made Rock for Tots “Rock Box, filled with items from all the bands and musicians that will be raffled off..
The entertainment starts at noon each day and runs until after midnight Saturday and 11 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 or a new, unwrapped toy.
Freddy’s Bar is on Garfield Road in between 17 Mile and 18 Mile roads.
- Roger’s Roost and the NautiBuoy Social Club team up for an afternoon of fun and purpose to collect toys or monetary donations on Sunday for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation.
Community representatives and Marines from Selfridge Air National Guard Base will make sure local families are supported with the gifts, organizers said.
The toy drive starts at 4 p.m. and offers live entertainment by DJ Marky G and a raffle for those who bring an unwrapped toy in its original packaging or monetary donation. Food and drink specials will be available.
There will be two Toys for Tots drop-off boxes at the front door for those who can’t make it in person.
Roger’s Roost is at 33626 Schoenherr Road (north of 14 Mile Road), Sterling Heights. Visit facebook.com/rogersroost for more information.