When the Big Yellow Barn is rocking on Main Street in Clarence, it’s a wonderful signal that money is being raised for one of Western New York’s most beloved charities.

Southern rockers Fare Trade and country singer Caitlin Koch will be thrilling audiences in Clarence on July 15-16^th at the 12^th Annual “Rock the Barn” – a fundraising concert for Meals on Wheels. The past 11 concerts have helped boost the endowment started by Clarence-Newstead Meals on Wheels Task Force, Inc., which helps fund Meals on Wheels services in Clarence, Akron and Newstead.

Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and are good for both days. Advance tickets can still be purchased at Dash’s Markets until showtime. The event takes place rain or shine.

Rock the Barn has become a major community affair in Clarence. What originally started out as a one-night event in 2005 has blossomed into a two-day festival the past five years. Rock the Barn typically attracts over 2,000 attendees each year. The concert is held behind a century-old big yellow barn at 9015 Main Street, making it a truly unique event venue. While music is the origins of Rock the Barn, there are many more aspects including local food vendors serving mouth-watering food, a beer tent, acoustic music stage, raffles, a children’s craft area and more.

Proceeds from the previous Rock the Barn concerts have added almost $500,000 to an endowment fund. Funds from the endowment are used to support Meals on Wheels routes in Clarence, Akron and Newstead. From their distribution point at the Clarence Senior Center, Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver over 25,000 meals a year to over 130 recipients on seven routes.

Musical performers for Friday, July 15^th are: Fare Trade (Headliner), Fat Brat, Flipside and The In-Betweens.  On Saturday, July 16^th Caitlin Koch (Headliner), Everett Lee and Underground Stampede, Dark Horse Run and The Donnellys.

Friday’s headliners Fare Trade’s roots stem from the early 1970s where their southern rock style cover music gained them attention from fans, including the legendary rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. The band disbanded in 1983, but reformed in 2010 with all the original members. For the past six years Fare Trade has been packing them in everywhere they play.

On Saturday night, headliner Caitlin Koch brings her country sounds to Clarence. She is a Nashville recording artist and Buffalo native, who also appeared on the first season of the FOX television show “The X-Factor.” She has previously shared the stage with Goo Goo Dolls, Pat Benatar, The B-52’s, Grace Potter and numerous other national headlining acts.