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Rock the Park in Slatington has full slate of food, fun

Published September 23. 2026 02:45PM
by Patricia Ingles tneditor@tnonline.com

The fourth annual Rock the Park and Food Truck Festival put on by Caring DAM Hearts drew a crowd to Victory Park in Slatington on Saturday.

A free event, Rock the Park featured food, music, raffles, shopping and activities plus community outreach.

Among the food and treats for sale: Caring Hearts had lemonade and ice tea, Girl Scout Troop 6365 had sno cones and The Roaming Oven had pizza. Also on hand were Diggers Bar-B-Q, Caribbean Islands, Mediterranean King, Blazing Ice and The Burger Shack.

Kids could visit Christina’s Reptile Petting Zoo and a moon bounce. The fun also included Hannah’s face painting, crafts and pony rides.

For the older set, there were activities including bingo and line dancing.

Caring DAM Hearts, started in 2016, is led by Denise Martinez, CEO and president. It was started to spread love and kindness by helping the homeless, less fortunate and veterans in the Lehigh Valley area.

The organization opened a thrift shop in Slatington in 2016 and then moved to a larger location in Walnutport, celebrating its grand opening there in February.

“Since I moved our nonprofit to Walnutport, there are so many more things we have done, since we have so much more space,” Martinez said.

She listed flea markets scheduled for today and Sept. 30, as well as flea markets on Oct. 15, 16 and 17, from noon to 4 p.m. The organization is looking for vendors to set up on the grassy area outside the store, which is at 241 Lehigh Gap St., Walnutport, next to the post office.

“This Thursday, Moravian University students and faculty will disperse across the Lehigh Valley to volunteer their time to help sort clothing donations at all locations of Caring Hearts,” Martinez said. “The Hungarian Club of Palmerton has chosen to present us with a donation. Our community needs our organization. We offer all free services.”

She encourages people to call the nonprofit at 484-240-9774 if they have questions.

“My biggest thanks to my family, all my volunteers, Friedens Fire Company for the use of tables and chairs, and all who came out to help with our fundraiser,” Martinez said.

People check out what’s available in Victory Park in Slatington on Saturday during the fourth annual Rock the Park and Food Truck Festival put on by the nonprofit Caring DAM Hearts. PATRICIA INGLES/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
Above: Slatington Moose Lodge 1375 had Happy Bowls with potatoes, chicken and gravy on Saturday at the Rock the Park and Food Truck Festival put on by the nonprofit Caring DAM Hearts. At the stand are, from left, Kathy Owens, Martha George, Deb Kresge, Donna Freer and Diana Ziegmund. Not pictured is Debra O’Connell. PATRICIA INGLES/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
Sidecardog Riley was there to support Caring Hearts. Jim Shelanick, Riley’s owner, continues to bring the goldendoodle to as many nonprofit events as possible. Riley rides in Shelanick’s Harley-Davidson sidecars.
Stephanie Kappeler was in charge of the Kids Zone at Rock the Park and Food Truck Festival in Victory Park in Slatington. She is an intern volunteer learning about nonprofit safety for kids. She helped kids create all kids of crafts with recycled items. Kappeler really enjoyed keeping the kids happy.
Left: Keith Stephens poses with Denise Martinez, CEO and president of Caring DAM Hearts, on Saturday during the Rock the Park and Food Truck Festival put on by the nonprofit, which specializes in helping people. Stephens, one of Martinez’s clients, spent the day with her, whom he considers his best friend. She has been working with Stephens to end his homelessness.
Tags:
Slatington, Nonprofit, Festival/event