Mercy Memorial Hospital System is pleased to announce that Dolce Vita Italian and Nick ‘n’ Nino’s are sponsoring the First Blacktop Bash 2012, Friday, July 13 and Saturday, July 14 in the parking lot in front of the restaurants, located at 391 Telegraph Road in Monroe.

“This is the first of its kind of community fundraiser for the restaurants,” said Molly Moore, director of philanthropy for Mercy Memorial. “The Perna Family has generously opened up their businesses to meet a very serious need in the community – the Pharmacy Assistance Fund for uninsured patients at Mercy Memorial and to support Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Monroe. This event has something for everyone in terms of food, music, car buffs, runners and people who want to have fun.”

The event begins at 5 p.m., Friday, July 13 and features live bands, great food, raffles and mechanical surfing until 11 p.m. Admission to the food and beverage tents is $5 per person. Food, beverages, raffles and surfboarding are extra. Among the prizes being raffled are an ATV and three luxury gift packages. An artisan will roll and sell cigars.

On Saturday, July 14, a 5K Walk/Run starts the day off at 9 a.m. Beginning at 10 a.m., a classic car show and motorcycle show join more live bands, food, raffles and mechanical surfing. The music will end at 11 p.m.

Over the course of the two days, 10 bands will perform. Many of the entertainers have donated their time and talent to the event, including: Arctic Clam, Destroy Us All, Don’t Hold Back, Elevate Church Band, Hippie Chick, Hoozier Daddy, Joe Woods, Mazie and Dad, Rook Roca and Elysia, Spruce Creek and Thunderfunk. The Rock Show (A Journey Tribute) is presented by Coding Concepts Too and The 1’s & 2’s (a Motown Dance Band) is presented by Kuras Dental Health Associates.

Local businesses are supporting the Blacktop Bash 2012. Presenting sponsors are Electrik Beach Tanning, Ernst Meats, Food Town, Franklin Homes, Friendly Ford, Keith Masserant, Gerweck Nissan, Lawyers Title Agency, Rainbow Restoration and Cleaning, Staelgraeve Turner Electric, Star 105.5 and Tiffany’s Pizza. Platinum sponsors are Foot and Ankle Specialists, PC, Monroe Motorsports, Servall and Stanford Allen Chevrolet Cadillac. Gold sponsors are Bacarella Funeral Home, Biundo’s, Bryant Asphalt and Paving, Jennifer Sell and Siena Heights University at Monroe County Community College. Merkle Funeral Home is a silver sponsor and Coverys is a bronze sponsor.

Volunteers are needed to support this event. Contact the Mercy Memorial Office of Philanthropy at 734.240.4487.

For the most up-to-date news on this event – ‘LIKE’ Blacktop Bash ’12 on Facebook.

Mercy Memorial Hospital System is an integrated health care provider that offers a broad range of inpatient and outpatient services. Our network of care begins at Mercy Memorial Hospital and extends to Macomb Pharmacy, the Hospice of Monroe, HomeCare Connection, Home Respiratory Care, the Nursing Center, outpatient rehabilitation, outreach labs and a collection of primary and specialty physician offices. Quality and patient safety are hallmarks of Mercy Memorial Hospital System’s mission. A national leader in heart attack, congestive heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care initiatives, Mercy Memorial is also a pacesetter in Michigan for obstetrics, emergency care, intensive care and controlling infections.