Times Observer file photo A group of Allegheny River Monsters performs during Warrenstock 2022. The 2023 concert will start at 5 p.m. Sunday with a rain date of Monday, July 3, at Pellegrino’s Creekside.

Very few people who dream of a career in rock ‘n’ roll get that chance

But, at Warrenstock, dozens of local musicians get a taste of that dream.

The Allegheny River Monsters – 30 or so musicians, mostly Warren Area High School alumni – will perform at the annual Warrenstock starting at 5 p.m. Sunday at Pellegrino’s Creekside on Conewango Avenue. The rain date is Monday, July 3.

They will perform a variety of styles on a number of instruments. The songs they will play span back to their graduating years and beyond.

“As kids, we all want to rock and roll,” Warrenstock Founder Pat Hackett said. “We all want to be players.”

“Some of us have pursued music in a professional way,” he said. “Most of the folks did not.”

The appreciative crowds at Warrenstock have filled the field in front of the stage.

“It’s a way for them to live a dream they had growing up,” Hackett said. “That always feels good to me, to facilitate that.”

Hackett will join each group on stage throughout the event. And, by popular demand, he’ll be doing more singing this year. Hackett said he likes to let the individual River Monsters have their well-deserved time in the spotlight, but he’ll join in more this time around. “People have been bugging me for years,” he said.

The event is family friendly and organizers hope to see some young faces in the crowd to match something of a youth movement on stage.

“We have some new blood, a new demographic this year,” Hackett said. “I really want to stress ‘all ages.’ The crowds have been very well behaved. It’s ok to bring the kids.”

“It’s a family-friendly event,” Scott Taylor said. “It’s always been a positive experience and it’s sparking the interest of younger musicians.”

Warrenstock started off as a sort of multi-class reunion. To a major degree, it remains that, but, last year, the performers included at least one musician who has still not graduated.

“These are all my friends,” Hackett said. “It’s like a family making music together… getting a change to live a dream.”

Sales of merchandise from the event will benefit the Warren Music Boosters and the Warren Area High School Marching Dragons.