(LaPorte, IN) - On Tuesday night, Fox Park rollicked with the sounds of John Mellencamp.

It was R.O.C.K. in LaP.O.R.T.E. 

 

Small Town, a northwest Indiana band that pays tribute to the Hoosier rock legend, more than made up for a show that was cancelled in June. On an unseasonably cool evening, hundreds of people dotted the hillside in front of the Dennis F. Smith Amphitheater. Families— huddled together on folding chairs and blankets, but six feet apart from their neighbors— seemed to revel in the fellowship of old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll Americana.

 

“Oh, let it rock, let it roll. Let the Bible Belt come and save my soul...”

 

Many wore masks, many didn’t. Everyone swayed to the beat. Cares of the world vanished with every familiar lyric.  It was almost as if, for an hour and a half, people forgot about their fears and focused on living. “Oh, yeah, life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone.”

 

The show was part of the city’s Arts in the Park concert series. It’s one of the summer’s few public activities that wasn’t shut down because of coronavirus.  Other live performances are scheduled every Thursday evening through August.

 

Because the beat goes on in LaPorte— another small town doin’ the best that it can in these unprecedented times.