Community Corner
Union County Hosts 12th Annual Musicfest
Event moved to Oak Ridge Park in Clark due to expected increase in attendance.
Get ready, Union County: the 12th annual Musicfest is set for September 12 and 13 at Oak Ridge Park in Clark. Admission is free, and the event will run from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. both days, rain or shine, with three stages for musical acts and a host of other activities.
Third Eye Blind will anchor the September 12 lineup, and will be joined by Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Tommy James and the Shondells. Pete Yorn will close the festival out on September 13, following performances by The Gin Blossoms and They Might Be Giants.
Other performers include 1910 Fruitgum Company, Nick Harper, Cy Curnin, Glen Tillbrook and many more. In addition to these internationally known acts, the Crossroads Bar and Restaurant in Garwood is sponsoring a stage solely for local talent such as Danielia Cotton and The Reveling.
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Musicfest is much more than just bands, however.
Fitness buffs can take part in a charity 5k walk/run. The Rock On! Walkathon and 5k Rock ‘n’ Run are sponsored by the Union County Love, Hope Strength Foundation. The foundation uses proceeds from music events to buy and donate medical equipment and raise cancer awareness. Part of the proceeds will also go to the Valerie Fund, which helps alleviate medical bills endured by the families of children with cancer and blood diseases.
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Extreme sports fans should check out Hell on Wheels, a BMX, motorcross and skateboard show. Children will have plenty to do at Kids Kingdom, with all sorts of activities such as laser tag, a petting zoo, trivia, and arts and crafts. Major League Baseball will also put on an exhibition. The Union County Fair will provide rides and midway games, and there will be dozens of food stands and vendors.
Event organizers expect more than 70,000 attendees, which is roughly 20,000 more than attended last year. The decision to move to Oak Ridge Park from Nomahegan Park in Cranford stemmed from this anticipated climb in attendance; Oak Ridge is bigger and provides more convenient handicapped access.
This year, it’s all about more.
“Because it’s a bigger venue,” said County spokeswoman Tina Casey, “we’re expecting more vendors, more activities, more space. A lot of things people enjoyed last year are coming back.”
Union County Musicfest is free to attend. Parking at Oak Ridge Park will cost $10, but free parking and shuttle service from Union County Vocational Technical School at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains will be available. The event’s official hotel, the Crowne Plaza in Clark, will offer discounted rooms and a free shuttle as well.
