Ivy Hall and Playdate Join Rock ALS as Sponsors to Support Hop On A Cure Foundation

Music festival featuring Drake White, John Driskell Hopkins of Zac Brown Band and more takes place September 26 in Sheldon, Illinois, with proceeds benefiting ALS research

SHELDON, Ill., Sept. 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hop On A Cure Foundation announced that Ivy Hall Dispensary, Illinois' largest independent cannabis retailer, and Playdate, a new hemp-infused, non-alcoholic rosé brand, have joined Rock ALS as sponsors, bringing an onsite activation to the September 26 festival in Sheldon, Illinois. The event benefits Hop On A Cure's mission to fund research toward a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), with 100 percent of ticket proceeds supporting the foundation.

“We’re incredibly grateful to partner with Ivy Hall and Playdate for Rock ALS, and to see their team step up in support of Hop On A Cure and the ALS community,” said Nic Shefrin, CEO of Hop On A Cure. “Partnerships like this allow us to bring new people into our mission while creating a meaningful impact, and we’re excited to come together in Sheldon for a great day in support of a cause that means so much to so many families.”

Ivy Hall and Playdate will be on-site all festival long with activation spots near the main stage and in the VIP Meet 'n Greet area, offering product sampling for adults 21 and older. Ivy Hall is bringing the dispensary experience to the festival grounds, complete with a standalone photo booth to capture the day and a mini-Ivy Lounge set up inside Scarlet, a 1999 half-school bus refurbished into a bright, boutique, on-brand environment designed to deliver the signature Ivy Hall welcome. All proceeds from Playdate sales at the event will be donated to Hop On A Cure.

“For us, this sponsorship is a natural extension of what Ivy Hall is all about,” said Samantha Curry, Marketing Manager at Ivy Hall. “Across all ten of our Illinois locations, we've always treated our stores as real gathering spots for the neighborhood, not just places to shop. We love supporting causes like this and finding ways to show up in the community, especially at the intersection of culture, cannabis, and music. We were also drawn to the alcohol-free aspect of the festival and the different kind of experience that creates. It feels like an opportunity for people to be more present, connect, and enjoy the music in a different way, which makes it a great fit for us.”

“We started Playdate because we wanted people to have a way to unwind together without alcohol, and Rock ALS felt like the perfect place to bring that to life,” said Sammy Dorf, Co-founder of Playdate. “Getting to be part of a day that's about connection, live music, and real community impact is exactly the kind of moment we built this brand for. We're honored to support Hop On A Cure and this incredible community.”

Rock ALS will take place from 3:00–9:00 p.m. at 2045 North 3200 East Road, with nearly 400 guests expected to attend, and will feature performances by:

• Drake White
• John Driskell Hopkins of Zac Brown Band
• Levi Lowrey
• Angie K.
• Chicago Farmer
  
  

Tickets and additional event details are available at rockals.org

About Ivy Hall
Ivy Hall is Illinois' largest independent cannabis retailer, bringing its sensory dispensary experience to ten locations throughout the state. Rooted in community and driven by hospitality, Ivy Hall offers a curated selection of high-quality products, expert guidance, and welcoming, thoughtfully designed spaces. Ivy Hall aims to make cannabis more approachable for both new and experienced consumers, with connection, comfort, and discovery at the heart of every visit. For more information, visit www.ivyhalldispensary.com.

About Playdate
Playdate is the world's first non-alcoholic THC-infused rosé wine produced at commercial scale. Made from California Central Coast grapes, de-alcoholized using proprietary aroma-recapture technology, and infused with 15mg of hemp-derived THC per bottle, Playdate is built for the wine occasion, precisely dosed, wellness-forward, and genuinely unlike anything else in the category. Co-founded by Sammy Dorf and Brian Ward, Playdate is available at playdatewine.com and select retail and on-premise partners in all markets other hemp products are sold. No permission slip required. For more information, visit www.drinkplaydate.com.

About Hop On A Cure Foundation
Hop On A Cure started in 2022 after John Driskell Hopkins of Zac Brown Band was diagnosed with ALS. ALS is consistently one of the most underfunded diseases for research. Because of that, not much significant progress has been made since Lou Gehrig passed away from the disease in 1941. The mission of the foundation is to support research to prevent, reverse, and cure ALS while raising awareness, building a compassionate community, and unleashing the healing power of hope. For more information about Hop On A Cure, visit www.hoponacure.org.

Media Contact

MATTIO Communications
ivyhall@mattio.com