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Published on 09/14/1998 All articles from this issue

'Rock Back the Clock' an all-time hit for Rancho

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By Clyde Noel

Special to the Town Crier

The 10th annual "Rock Back the Clock" family street dance, held Sept. 11, turned out to be an upbeat event for both Rancho Shopping Center merchants and the Festival of Lights parade.

Jim McLoughlin, president of the Rancho Merchants Association, said it was one of the best events the shopping center ever had, and the merchants worked hard to make the event a successful one.

Leonard Rodrigues, manager of Andronico's Market, experienced his first Rock Back the Clock event and was immensely impressed and pleased with the activity in the store. "I wish we had three of these a year," he said.

Organizer Marie Backs estimated attendance at between 1,100 and 1,200 visitors.

Dave Leary, treasurer of Rancho Merchants Association, said the association took in more than $9,000 and after expenses will turn over close to $5,000 to the Festival of Lights Parade Association.

Rock Back the Clock proceeds help pay for the cost of putting on the annual Los Altos Festival of Lights parade in downtown Los Altos. The parade is usually held the first Sunday after Thanksgiving. This year's parade is set for 7 p.m., Nov. 29.

"This was one of the best Rock Back the Clocks we ever had. It was trouble free and we had about 10 percent more people here this year," said Rancho promoter Joel Goldfus. "The music must have been right, because I never saw so many adults dancing and children taking part in the games."

Rock Back the Clock is one of two major fund-raisers for the Festival of Lights. The other is the Los Altos Antiques and Collectibles Faire held this past Sunday in downtown Los Altos.