Community spirit is the theme of 'Lockfest'

Lockfest is coming to Main Street between Pine and Church streets from noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. Franklin Rezarch, the owner-operator of B&D Bagels, spearheaded the second annual event in front of his eatery and consignment shop at Lockview Plaza.

“People don’t have a clue of what they have here in Lockport,” Rezarch said. “Living in different places over the years — I’m from southern California and lived in Denver and San Fransisco — they don’t realize how much you can do.”

Admission-free Lockfest will feature live music by Rezarch’s bluegrass band, Working Man String Band, singer-songwriter Cameron, and four other bands.

Because Rezarch is focused on community, he’s bringing that to the various “friendship” games that will be set up.

“Like carnival games; a kid tries to put a hoop over a bottle. We’ll have that, but we’ll also have a water-balloon toss where kids pair up and toss a water balloon back and forth and each time take a step back. Games that need teamwork,” Rezarch said.

Grace Platt, director of Lockport Main Street Inc., also helped organized Lockfest and procured various grants to underwrite many of the children’s activities.

“We need to thank the Rotary Club of Lockport for funding the Kids Craft,” she said.

The promoted “Beer Garden” will not be set up for Lockfest, however, and Rezarch hopes that no one is too upset.

“It is what it is, unfortunately; next year we’ll make sure to dot all the i’s and cross the T’s,” he said.

Rezarch said he’s dedicated to Lockport, noting he came here as a young father.

“People always say you change when you become a parent, but I had no idea how much fatherhood would change my life. … I want to give parents a chance to relax and watch their kids play,” he said.