The third annual ROCKTOBERFEST, hosted by The Destination, promises an all-day extravaganza of live rock music, food, competitions, and a charity auction, with proceeds benefiting Oilfield Helping Hands and the Department of Public Safety Officers Association (DPSOA). The event kicks off at 1 p.m. and runs until midnight on Saturday, Oct. 5, headlined by Mariachi Rock Revolution and featuring local favorite Cromemolly as the closing act.
Martin Salazar, co-owner of The Destination, shared the inspiration behind the event.
"Originally, we wanted to host an all-day event twice a year, following the success of our Spring Crawfish Boil," he said. "We felt rock music would bring a different energy to balance the many Country Western and blues events in West Texas. The turnout in 2021 was amazing, and by the second year, we had over 540 attendees."
After a brief hiatus in 2023, the event returns this year with Trophy Trucking as a key partner. Both Oilfield Helping Hands and DPSOA have strong ties to the Permian Basin, and all auction proceeds will remain local to support these vital organizations.
"Oilfield Helping Hands provides financial assistance to oilfield families in crisis, while the DPSOA helps families of fallen troopers and funds education and youth programs," Salazar said. "We’re proud to host an event that gives back to these deserving causes."
The entertainment lineup highlights the unique relationships The Destination has cultivated with musicians over the years.
"Hyden Vitera of Mariachi Rock Revolution has been performing with us since 2019, and Cromemolly was one of the first bands to take our stage," Salazar said. "We also have young talent like Trip Houck, who’s grown from open mic nights to leading his own rock band."
In addition to live music, ROCKTOBERFEST features a Chili and Taco Cook-Off, a Jalapeño Eating Contest, and a custom bike show.
"We added the Taco Cook-Off to attract local food trucks, and the Jalapeño Eating Contest is a fun way to engage the audience," Salazar said.
The event will also feature arm-wrestling demonstrations by Permian Armfighters and trophies for bike show winners in various categories.
With its growing attendance and diverse offerings, ROCKTOBERFEST continues to evolve.
"We’re always looking to improve, and we’re even considering expanding to a two-day event," Salazar said.