Rooster Walk Inc. announces five ‘Nonprofit Partners’

Rooster Walk Inc., the community nonprofit that operates the Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival, announced five members of its new Nonprofit Partners program on May 17th.

Patrick Henry Community College, the SPCA of Martinsville-Henry County, Arts at the Rives Theatre, Activate and the Smith River Sports Complex are each working in tandem with the festival, which raises proceeds for the Penn-Shank Memorial Scholarship at Martinsville High School. In four years, Rooster Walk Inc. has donated $20,000 to the scholarship fund, which is awarded annually to a deserving senior at MHS.

Rooster Walk’s Nonprofit Partners program is designed to give heightened exposure to area nonprofit organizations. Each of the five nonprofits has committed to provide volunteers during the festival, set for May 23-26, in exchange for an on-site booth and other publicity efforts. Participating volunteers will also receive a free weekend pass to the festival.

“We’re thrilled to have these five area nonprofits on board for Rooster Walk 5,” said Johnny Buck, the executive director of the festival. “Each group supports an exemplary cause, and we certainly look forward to promoting their missions and goals to the music fans – both locals and tourists – who join us at Blue Mountain Festival Grounds next weekend. Our festival attendance has outpaced our volunteer base in recent years, so we are certainly grateful for the support each organization is providing.”

PHCC

Patrick Henry Community College is a comprehensive two-year college dedicated to student success, life-long learning and enrichment of the quality of life in its service region (Martinsville, Henry County, Patrick County, southern portion of Franklin County). With an average enrollment of about 3,200 students, the college offers college transfer education, occupational-technical education, general education and specialized community services. The college recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and is known for its highly successful cooperative learning program, its unique motorsports program and its growing athletics program.

“PHCC is proud to be a partner in this event that celebrates the arts and supports education through scholarships,” said Kris Landrum, the college’s director of public relations and marketing. “We are especially excited to be able to showcase the newly formed Patriot Players performing troupe as part of the music line-up at Rooster Walk.”

SPCA

The Martinsville-Henry County SPCA is dedicated to improving the lives of companion animals and the people who love them. The group provides affordable, accessible spay/neuter/vaccine services, rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of pets, and humane education, including pet therapy and obedience classes. All programs work toward making Martinsville and Henry County No-Kill by 2015. Supporters of the SPCA can donate or shop at its thrift shop, Fido’s Finds, located at 33 W. Main St. in downtown Martinsville.

Rives Theatre

Arts at the Rives Theatre (ART) is dedicated to promoting music, arts and education in the area while preserving the historic Rives Theatre in uptown Martinsville. The group hosts live concerts, community events and educational activities in the theatre, which was built in 1932 as a playhouse. ART’s next concert is set of June 19, when New Orleans-based Papa Grows Funk will perform one of the last shows on their “farewell tour.” Tickets will be $15 each, and more information is available at www.rivestheatre.com.

SRSC

The Smith River Sports Complex (SRSC) is an economic engine for the Martinsville-Henry County region that brings in sports tourism dollars by hosting athletic tournaments and events. The SRSC is also a recreation destination for the community that provides state-of-the-art facilities for local league play, walking trails, river access, festivals, camps and other various activities. The Complex has experienced great success since its grand opening in the summer of 2009, with an increase in events and visitors. To learn more about the Complex and its event schedule, visit www.SmithRiverSportsComplex.com.

“The Smith River Sports Complex is proud to partner with Rooster Walk,” said Amanda Gray, director of marketing for the Smith River Sports Complex. “This music festival brings tremendous positive attention to our area while providing fun, quality entertainment for our community and beyond.”

Activate

The mission of Activate is to help the community lead a fun, healthy, and desirable place to live by promoting walking, bicycling and increased physical activity as a part of everyday life. Their Tuff Strutter 5K trail race, billed as one of the toughest of its kind in the Southeast, will take place May 26 during RW5 at Blue Mountain Festival Grounds. Participating runners will also receive a free Sunday ticket to Rooster Walk, when more than a dozen bands are scheduled to perform. For more information, visit http://www.activatemhc.com.

Rooster Walk was created to honor the memories of Edwin “the Rooster” Penn and Walker Shank, two Martinsville natives who passed away unexpectedly while in their 20s. The festival has grown steadily since its inception in 2009, and more than 3,000 people are expected to attend this year. Legendary progressive bluegrass band Leftover Salmon and New Orleans funk act Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk will headline the event, which features more than 35 bands plus food, arts, crafts, kids’ activities and on-site camping.

Rooster Walk was recently named the top “Underground Festival” in the mid-Atlantic and Southeast by Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine, as well as the Most Creative Charitable Event in Southwest Virginia by readers of Virginia Living magazine.

To learn more about the festival, or to purchase tickets online, visit www.roosterwalk.com.