Summer fun is starting a little early this year in Ferndale! On Saturday, May 18, the Ferndale Public Schools Foundation is hosting their inaugural Rock The Nest Fest on the Ferndale High School campus. This will be a lively evening filled with food, family-friendly activities, and a roof-raising concert from Petty or Not.

Tracy Diehl, volunteer president of the Ferndale Public Schools Foundation, called the event a “community builder” and said it should help spread the word about the great work that the Foundation does to support local students. The non-profit group’s goal is to remove financial barriers that prevent Ferndale students from succeeding in school and/or participating in extracurricular activities.

“To let everybody know what we’re focused on – the students and our community – is something we haven’t had the opportunity to do yet,” she said. “We’re really excited about it!”

The event starts with a street festival from 4-7 p.m. in the school bus loop next to Golden Eagle Stadium. Attendees can grab dinner from a variety of food trucks, including Outlaws Barbecue, That’s What I Like! Island Grill, Chispita De Sabor, and Doug’s Burgers. While kids play cornhole or get their face painted, adults can bid on exciting silent auction prizes like Seattle Kraken tickets or a flight on San Juan Air. There will also be informational booths from the Foundation, the City of Ferndale, Ferndale Rotary Club, and more.

At 7:30 p.m., the main event begins inside Golden Eagle Stadium. Petty or Not, the Pacific Northwest’s preeminent Tom Petty and Fleetwood Mac cover band, are the can’t-miss headlining act. VIP tickets (available until May 1 or until supplies last) are $100 and allow you to sit right on the track. You’ll also receive a t-shirt and a water bottle! General admission tickets for the grandstand are $26 for adults, $16 for youth under age 18, and free for kids under the age of 5. Tickets can be purchased at the door or on the Foundation website.

Phillips 66 is the event’s headlining sponsor, covering much of the event’s operational costs. They’re joined by other sponsors like AltaGas, Windermere Real Estate, and Timken. That means 100% of concert ticket sales will directly benefit Ferndale students!

“We have a cool cross-section of the community that’s come out in support of Ferndale students,” said Josh Linn, a board member of the Foundation and a Ferndale parent. “I’m excited to see Petty or Not rock the stadium!”

Since its founding in the summer of 2023, the Foundation has helped local students by removing school-related fees for AP exams, field trips, and more. They have also funded scholarships for students, created “You Belong Cards” which can be used for school staff to purchase necessary items for students, and purchased clothing and shoes for elementary students in need who are going through growth spurts.

For more information on the Rock The Nest Fest and the Foundation, visit www.ferndaleschoolsfoundation.org.