New York Times
August 30, 2009
Spotlight | Clark
A Bigger Setting for a Musical Stew
By TAMMY LA GORCE

Organizers of the Union County MusicFest have always set their sights on family-friendliness, and the free weekend-long event has lured baby boomers, the stroller brigade and everyone in between with artists like Chuck Berry and Dan Zanes.

But with its 12th installment, to be held Sept. 12 and 13 at Oak Ridge Park in Clark, the festival may outdo itself: The band They Might Be Giants will play two shows, one for children and the other for adults.

Also on the bill this year are Pete Yorn, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Uncle Kracker, Tommy James and the Shondells, and Third Eye Blind. Those acts, spanning rock, blues, oldies, pop and alternative, account for a vast musical spreading-out. So it only made sense that the festival itself spread out.

The Union County manager, George Devanney, said MusicFest outgrew Nomahegan Park in Cranford, where it had been held since its inception in 1998. The site there was about 10 acres, Mr. Devanney said; Oak Ridge Park is about 65. “We’re not using the whole site, but we’re not going to be cramped,” he said.

There will be more space not only for the 30 bands, some local, that will play on three stages throughout the weekend and the expected audience of about 50,000 people, but also for nonmusical attractions like Kids Kingdom, a “traveling jubilee” offering laser tag and bungee jumping. There will also be food vendors and carnival rides.

Mr. Devanney said a big part of MusicFest was its fund-raising for charities. Last year, $80,000 was raised for cancer charities. This year there will be a two-mile walk-athon and a five-kilometer run on Saturday morning. “What I hope is that people will come walk,” Mr. Devanney said. “Then they can get on a Ferris wheel and go see a good band.”

Oakridge Protest Rally - Sunday, Oct. 18 2-4pm