Ian Flanigan

2nd Annual Hope Rocks Festival Planned to Help Those Suffering with Addiction, Depression and Suicide; More than 3,000 attended inaugural 2017 Hope Rocks Festival SAUGERTIES, NY—March 13, 2018—The second annual Hope Rocks Festival is planned for Aug. 18-19, 2018, at the Cantine Veteran’s Memorial Complex, Saugerties, NY. Spurred on by 3,400 attendees at the 2017 inaugural Hope Rocks Festival, the 2018 Hope Rocks Festival continues to offer a weekend of hope to those suffering with addiction, depression and suicide. New sponsors Ulster Savings Bank and Sunshine Orthodontics for the 2018 festival join Hope Rocks founding sponsors: the Sawyer Automotive Foundation, Raising Your Awareness about Narcotics and American Foundation. Free and open to all, Hope Rocks offers onsite counseling, speakers presenting their personal addiction experiences and a myriad of activities, including: approximately 30 live musical performances across multiple stages; a motorcade; softball; volleyball; basketball; tennis; pickleball; human foosball; art exhibition; and, crafters. New to the 2018 festival is a walk- and bike-a-thon, children’s area, petting zoo and t-shirt design contest. “The problem of addiction and suicide continues to grow—and so does the need for Hope Rocks,” said festival founder Joseph Defino, a Saugerties resident and elementary school teacher. “In fact, we need to further educate, treat and recognize the loss of hope endemic to addiction.” Defino added that according to the World Health Organization 20 million suicides are attempted annually and death from overdose caused more than 55,000 deaths in 2016. In a recent report by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), opioid related emergency visits to hospitals has increased by 30 percent from July 2016-September 2017. Defino founded Hope Rocks after witnessing in less than four years 13 former student deaths stemming from addiction and despair. “So many are struggling with this monster. We have children in our schools whose parents are battling this or have died, as a result. Hope Rocks aims to change this epidemic of despair by offering an environment of acceptance and understanding while providing access to support and services. It’s time to end this hopelessness.” Applications for vendors and sponsors are being accepted through June 1. Private donations are necessary and continually accepted. Volunteers are also welcome. For more information, go to hoperocksny.com or email rocksmorse@gmail.com, as well as Hope Rocks Facebook and Instagram pages.