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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 25, 2010 |
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13th ANNUAL UNION COUNTY MUSICFEST BEGINS TO TAKE SHAPE |
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Union County, NJ – The annual Union County MusicFest will return to Oak Ridge Park in Clark in September with some of the world’s most exciting performing artists, rising stars, and local favorites. On Saturday, September 11 and Sunday, September 12, the free event will once again feature two days of nonstop music on three stages and activities for the whole family. The fun kicks off with The County Fair at MusicFest, a full fledged carnival that starts on September 8 and ends with the conclusion of MusicFest on September 12. This year’s roster offers the wide-ranging tour around the world of music that fans have come to expect from MusicFest. Alternative rock groups Spoon and The Bravery join top drawer singer/songwriters Jesse Malin with his band The St. Marks Social and Willie Nile, while New Jersey native Robert Randolph explores the rich roots of rock and roll with The Family Band, and the Nils Lofgren Acoustic Duo offers an intimate rock experience. More confirmed artists will be announced in the coming weeks. “Thanks to the generous support of Overlook Hospital and many other sponsors, tens of thousands of Union County music fans and families can have a full weekend of free music and affordable entertainment,” said Freeholder Chairman Daniel P. Sullivan. “MusicFest is a premier event that attracts top talent enjoyed by audiences around world, and brings them right here to our doorstep.” MusicFest will once again connect Union County residents with music fans everywhere by hosting the Rock On! Walkathon. Scheduled for Saturday, September 11, at Oak Ridge Park, this 5k walk/run raises funds to fight cancer through the international Love, Hope, Strength Foundation (LHSF). Proceeds will benefit The Valerie Fund, a major children’s cancer research foundation that was started by the Goldstein family of New Jersey. Mike Peters, known to music fans around the world as frontman of The Alarm, co-founded LHSF after he fought and overcame cancer. This is the organization’s fourth year with MusicFest and it has become the heart and soul of the event. In addition to participating in the walkathon, Peters and The Alarm will headline the MusicFest ’10 after-party at The Crossroads in Garwood on Saturday night (tickets for this performance are on sale at The Crossroads, online at www.xxroads.com, or by phone at 800-594-TIXX). Along with the free music, MusicFest 2010 includes all the extra attractions that have made it Union County’s premier outdoor family entertainment event. The County Fair at MusicFest will return for its second year, boasting a full scale carnival complete with a Ferris wheel and many other thrilling rides along with musical entertainment, beginning Wednesday, September 8 and running through Sunday, September 12. The Kids Kingdom Traveling Jubilee will also return on Saturday and Sunday, packed with activities for youngsters including non-stop music and performances, a petting zoo, moonwalks, interactive educational activities, crafts, and much more. Performances and music are free and the activities are free or affordably priced. By popular demand, the amazing Hell on Wheels BMX stunt bikers will be back with free shows of their daredevil skills, joining several more special attractions yet to be announced. Dozens of food stands, sponsor booths, arts, crafts and other vendors round out the festivities. Attendees are also welcome to bring picnic baskets, blankets, and lawn chairs. Overlook Hospital is marking its third straight year as presenting sponsor of MusicFest. Overlook plays a key role in the success of the event, which is produced in association with the Union County Performing Arts Center. Rio 22 is sponsoring the Rock On! Walkathon, TD Bank and Crossroads of Garwood will be Stage Sponsors and Kean University will sponsor the Kids Kingdom stage. Crowne Plaza is the official MusicFest hotel. Also sponsoring MusicFest are many businesses and institutions that are part of the familiar landscape of Union County. So far the list includes Walmart, PSE&G, Verizon, Brown & Brown Insurance, RXP 101.9, Elizabethtown Gas, Pennoni Associates Inc, The Hartford, The Star-Ledger, Maser, Martuarno, Correctional Health Services LLC, Conoco Phillips, Papetti’s, nj.com, Premier Energy, Covanta Energy, General Sports Venue, Honeywell, Anheuser Busch, KemperSports, Liberty Mutual, Union County College, Cigna, Amaker and Porterfield, Neglia Engineering Associates, Medco, and Joseph Jingoli & Son, Inc. Sponsorships defray the cost of staging MusicFest, which enables Union County to keep the music free and open to all music fans. Offsets also come from vendor fees paid by The County Fair at MusicFest and other concessionaires, and on-site parking fees. Ample free parking with free shuttle service to MusicFest is available at sites near Oak Ridge Park. “Union County’s free summer arts programming provides every resident with the opportunity to benefit from uplifting community experiences in a healthy outdoor setting, while offering a venue for Union County businesses to grow,” said Sullivan. “Along with our entire arts schedule, MusicFest plays an important foundational role in Union County’s long term economic development. “Since its beginnings as a small concert 13 years ago, MusicFest has grown to become a regional showcase of all the things that make Union County a great community in which to live, work, and raise a family,” said Sullivan. The music kicks off at 11:00 a.m. and lasts until approximately 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 11 and Sunday, September 12. The Bravery, Jesse Malin and The St. Marks Social and Willie Nile will perform on Saturday. Spoon, Robert Randolph and The Family Band and the Nils Lofgren Duo will perform on Sunday. Additional confirmed artists will be announced in the coming weeks. The Kids Kingdom Traveling Jubilee will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday September 11, and from noon to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday September 12. The County Fair at MusicFest will be open from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday September 8, and from noon to 10:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, September 9 and 10. A fireworks display will top off the night on Friday. The fair runs Saturday, September 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and on Sunday, September 12 from noon to 10:00 pm. For all event information, visit the official MusicFest website, www.ucmusicfest.com. More details, artist announcements, schedules and updates will be added as they become available. |
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