Deerfield Township Harvest Festival News and Photos

 
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2008 FESTIVAL NEWS

 

2007 FESTIVAL NEWS

2006 FESTIVAL NEWS

 

Cumberland County Improvement Authority Executive Director Steve Wymbs, left, joins Mayor Carol Musso of Deerfield Township, as CCIA announces its major financial support for the 30th celebration of the Harvest Festival which will take place Oct. 10, 11 & 12, 2008.

 

Lonestar, one of America's most popular country bands, will perform a free concert at the 2008 Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct. 11, 8:30 PM. Cumberland County Improvement Authority's major sponsorship will allow thousands of people from throughout Cumberland County, New Jersey and neighboring states to enjoy Lonestar for free.

 

 

Preceding Lonestar on the Festival's Stage on Sat. Oct 11 will be The Lost Trailers, who are rising fast as national stars in Country music. They will be on stage at 7:30 PM.

 

Roy Spoltore, left, talks about the entertainment lineup planned for the 2008 Harvest Festival, which will be the most ambitious in the festival's 30-year history.  Steve Wymbs, Executive Director of the CCIA looks on. Spoltore has chaired the festival since it began in 1979.

DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP ANNOUNCES MAJOR ENTERTAINERS AND SPONSOR FOR ITS 30TH ANNUAL HARVEST FESTIVAL IN OCTOBER


“Baby I’m amazed by you” is a line from the country band Lonestar’s biggest hit record “Amazed” which was America’s number one song on both the Country and pop charts in the 1999 and 2000. It is a fitting quote to use to describe the success of the Deerfield Township Harvest Festival as this totally volunteer-run event heads toward its thirtieth amazing year on Oct. 10, 11 and 12.


It is even more fitting since Steve Wymbs, Executive Director of CCIA joined Deerfield Township Mayor Carol Musso and Recreation Committee Chairman Roy Spoltore in announcing that six-time Grammy nominated Lonestar will be featured in a free concert at the Harvest Festival at 8:30 pm on Saturday, Oct. 11. Lonestar, one of America’s most popular country groups over the past ten years, with 10 number one hits,18 top ten hits and 28 charted singles, is expected to draw large crowds to its concert on the festival’s stage in Rosenhayn’s Frank LoBiondo, Sr. Park.

The Cumberland County Improvement Authority has become the Festival’s major sponsor this year to support this special 30th anniversary edition of the Harvest Festival.


“The Deerfield Harvest Festival is an important event for Deerfield Township and the entire county,” said Steven R. Wymbs, Cumberland County Improvement Authority Executive Director. “The Festival provides quality entertainment for residents and visitors from throughout the Delaware Valley region. In addition, it helps establish Cumberland County as a visitor destination and reinforces the fact that we truly have "More to Offer."

 

Cumberland County has had the second highest rate of tourism growth in the state because of quality events like the Harvest Festival. We are proud to be a partner in helping make this year’s 30th Anniversary Festival a big success.”
With a previously approved grant from the Improvement Authority, the festival stage will be remodeled before the festival begins in October with a roof that covers the entire stage and eliminates the posts in the front of the stage that blocked the view of the entertainment.
 

“Over the last few years, the Cumberland County Improvement Authority has enjoyed a close working relationship with municipalities throughout the county including Deerfield Township government,” said Improvement Authority Board Chairman Albert B. Kelly. “As part of these partnerships, the Authority has participated in numerous projects and programs which have infused millions of dollars directly or indirectly into the county’s economy. We are happy to support the Harvest Festival and, moving forward, we will continue to seek opportunities to establish partnerships and expand our role in the economic growth of local municipalities and the county as a whole.”
 

“On behalf of the Township Committee, Recreation Committee and the people of Deerfield Township, I thank the Cumberland County Improvement Authority, Albert Kelly, Board Chairman, the entire Board and Steve Wymbs, Executive Director for helping us as we strive to make our 30th harvest festival our best celebration ever. The Authority in recent years has become a major supporter of programs initiated by the Township Committee to benefit our residents," commented Mayor Carol Musso.
 

Roy Spoltore, who has chaired the festival for all of its 30 years, said more national and regional stars will be announced in the weeks ahead. “Thanks to the generous support of the Improvement Authority, Comcast, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Cumberland County Cultural and Heritage Commission and Delaware River and Bay Authority, we will be able to present the best entertainment line-up in festival history,” Spoltore added.


The Recreation Committee is building an entertainment lineup of local, regional and national stars to support the festival’s 2008 theme “Jersey days, country nights.” We are featuring local and regional “Jersey” bands in the afternoons and country stars in the evenings.
 

“While we really appreciate the support of these major sponsors, we continue to need the support of many other area businesses as sponsors and advertisers to keep this a free event.”
 

To become a sponsor and for more information, contact the harvest festival committee at 856-455-3200, festival@deerfieldtownship.org  or visit www.deerfieldtownship.org.
 

Spoltore noted that the festival, which once featured mainly local bands and entertainers, has now gained a reputation for hosting current and past stars and putting the spotlight on rising stars, particularly in Country music.In recent years, the festival has presented popular bands like The Gin Blossoms, The Temptations and Blood Sweat & Tears, drawing music fans from several states and record crowds.
Emerson Drive and Lady Antebellum, two of the 2007 festival’s lead bands, have become two of the top country bands in the nation.


“We are working on booking some additional well-known entertainers to compliment Lonestar and we plan to present some rising stars in both Country and pop music. Those announcements will come in the next month,” Spoltore added.
 

Lonestar has built a career providing inspiration and optimism with their music with classic hits like "Amazed," "I'm Already There," and "My Front Porch Looking In," all heartfelt anthems to family, love and fidelity. They also know how to rock with across-the-board hits of the first order like "No News", "What About Now" and "You Walked In". The band has sold over 10 million albums, receiving various awards and nominations throughout their career.
 

The quartet's non-musical legacy is equally impressive. Lonestar is known for their support of the nation's troops and of charitable causes. Their many honors include both the National Fatherhood Award and the ACM/Home Depot Humanitarian Award. They are, in short, among modern country music's greatest ambassadors.
 

Entertainers and special events already confirmed for the festival on Columbus Day Weekend, Oct. 10-12 include Whiskey Falls, a popular nationally-known country band with charted songs like “Last Train Running”; Fisher Stevenson, a rising country singer/song-writer with his first song “No Tomorrow, Here Tonight” now on the country charts; songwriter Robert Hazard presents his folk, blues and rock influenced music and The Sensational Soul Cruisers will perform Motown and R&B hits.
 

The Festival Parade is set for Sat., Oct. 11, at noon, the Festival Idol Contest preliminary competition is Fri., Oct. 10 with the finals on Sun., Oct. 12.
Mascot Mania will be held on Sat., Oct 11 and the gigantic fireworks show, bigger, brighter and louder than ever for the 30th celebration will bring the event to a close on Sun. Oct. 12 at 9:30 pm.
 
   
 

29th HARVEST FESTIVAL SETS THEME AND ANNOUNCES ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP FOR OCT. 5, 6 & 7
Deerfield Township Recreation Committee and Harvest Festival Chairman Roy Spoltore announced the theme and headline entertainment for the twenty-ninth festival to be held on Oct 5, 6 and 7 in the Deerfield Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey village of Rosenhayn.
Spoltore, who has headed this event since its inception, said the festival’s theme is “We Are Country Proud”. “It reflects to the festival’s celebration of American pride, music, sports, cars and movies as well as the recognition of township’s rural and farming heritage,” explained Spoltore.
 

The festival continues its tradition of providing a stellar variety of national, regional and local musical entertainment at no cost to the thousands of visitors who attend each year.
“We thank our major sponsors and more than 100 other business, organizations and individuals who donate to the Deerfield Township Recreation Trust Fund to keep this a free public event,” said Township Committeewoman Carol Musso, who heads the subcommittee for recreation.
 

They include Comcast, NJ State Council on the Arts, Cumberland County Cultural and Heritage Commission, The Bank, WSNJ Radio, Quinn Broadcasting TV 2, Quality Lincoln Mercury, Cat Country Radio, Cumberland County More to Offer, Delaware River and Bay Authority / Cape May Lewes Ferry and Bridgeton News.
 

“ We are excited and proud to present the appearance of the country band Emerson Drive, whose song ‘Moments’ was the number one song on the Country charts in June of this year and also climbed high on the pop charts,” commented Spoltore.  Emerson Drive was growing in popularity last year when they made their first appearance at the festival. Now they are one of America’s most popular new country stars, producing popular songs, appearing on national TV and playing concerts across the country.
Their touching, number one ballad “Moments” demonstrated the singing strength of lead singer Brad Mates. It has led to numerous country music award nominations for this rising band including 2007 Country Music Association (CMA) nominations for Music Video of the Year - "Moments" and Vocal Group of Year.
 

2007 Canadian Country Music Association nominations include Single of the Year - "Moments", CMT Video of the Year - "Moments", Group or Duo of Year and Album of the Year - "Countrified".
While Emerson Drive fans are paying $20 or more to hear this band in concert at other venues in the country, visitors to Deerfield Township’s Harvest Festival will be treated to a free concert Sunday, October 7 at 8 PM.
 

As part of the festival’s salute to American pride, a wide variety of America’s music will be highlighted. Classic rock and roll and disco sounds will be center stage on Saturday evening, Oct. 6. At 8:45 PM, Starship starring Mickey Thomas will highlight the free music on the festival’s Comcast Stage. Thomas has revamped his band and show that includes an expanded set list that includes the multi-platinum hits of Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship and Starship!
 

With the expanded band and the addition of the beautiful, powerful female vocalist, Stephanie Calvert, festival crowds will enjoy a show that includes all the group’s hit songs and classics. Number one rock and roll hits include "We Built This City", "Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now", and “Sara”. Starship’s other hits are "It's Not Over 'Til It's Over", "Jane" and "Fooled Around and Fell In Love". See www.mickeythomas.com for more information.
 

The Trammps, who won a Grammy Award for “Disco Inferno”, will present their free performance at 7:15 PM. Their hit songs include "Hold Back the Night", “The Night the Lights Went Out" and "Whatever Happened To The Music".
 

Throughout the years, the Trammps have made many tours throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and South America. Currently, The Trammps, original members, Jimmy Ellis, Harold Doc Wade and Stanley Wade tour with musicians from the original touring group. See www.aaeg.com/trammps.htm for more information.
 

Bon Jovi and Journey fans will be treated to an appearance of America’s only dual tribute band to Bon Jovi and Journey when Bon-Journey takes the stage at 3:55 and 6 PM on Oct. 6 in Rosenhayn. They bring the award-winning, multi-platinum selling songs of these great bands together in unforgettable shows. Go to www.bon-journey.com for more information.
 

Other Saturday music will feature local and regional groups including the Jack Neff Band with classic rock and roll, Harmony Show Choir with American pop and Broadway sounds presented by WSNJ Radio, In High Gear with their contemporary country songs and No Compromise, a Christian rock band.
 

The festival is becoming a place to catch new and rising bands that may well be top national talents soon. On Sunday, Oct. 7 at 6:45 PM, Lady Antebellum, one of these rising groups and new Capitol Nashville recording artists take the stage. Lead singers Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley, and long-time friend guitarist and writing partner Dave Haywood present energetic live performances, along with well-crafted original songs.
 

They have not only won over many fans, but have also the attention and respect of many of the biggest artists, writers and industry leaders. They teamed with Jim Brickman to produce top 20 adult contemporary hit, "Never Alone". "Love Don't Live Here", their new single on Capitol, will be released Oct. 1. For more information see www.ladyantebellum.com.
 

You can also catch another rising star, Curtis Peoples with his rock and roll and pop songs on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 5 PM
 

As part of the festival’s salute to America and its music, Sensational Soul Cruisers will be back in town again this year. Their four soulful vocalists pay homage to classic performers Otis Redding, the Drifters, Barry White, The Temptations, The Spinners, The Delphonics, Eddie Floyd, The Soul Survivors, Sly & The Family Stone, Kool & The Gang, Earth, Wind & Fire and the Commodores. This 11-member horn group captures the style of a classic show band. See them at the festival on Sunday, Oct. 7 at 2:55 and 5:15 PM. See their website, www.soulcruisers.com for more information.
 

European immigrants in the last century have made Polka part of America’s music heritage. In honor of Deerfield seniors and everyone who loves, good, lively music, QBC TV 2 presents Polka Pete and his band on Sunday, Oct. 7 at noon. Polka Pete & His Orchestra debuted in September 1980 at the Ukrainian Hall at the Millville Airport and have been playing Polish-American, swing, big band, and popular music ever since.
 

Other Sunday bands are Final Vinyl at 4 PM and Good Tymes at 2 PM, both of whom feature several members from the Rosenhayn and Bridgeton area.
 

Final Vinyl has been named WMGK’s House Band. Its members include frontman Keith Stevens and Bridgeton natives Jim Overstreet, guitarist; and Dave Price, keyboardist; and Gloucester County resident John McCarty, drummer. They love playing good, old rock an roll. As the WMGK’s 2008 house band, Final Vinyl will perform at WMGK events, including its 2008 Fourth of July concert.
 

Good Tymes, features local members who take audiences back in time to the eras of Doo Wop, Rock & Roll and Standards. Its members are Ron Fooks, Steve Vermulen, Tom Dinella, Dell Dinacola, Rick Fooks, and Adam Pipitone.
 

Friday, Oct. 5 includes the preliminary round of the Festival Idol competition beginning at 6:45 PM. More than 20 contestants will be singing songs either made popular in America movies or that came from the movies. The top 9 finalists will sing again on Sunday, Oct. 7 at the festival to determine the winner.
 

Friday night also features duo Devin Riley and Alby Miller singing country and pop at 9 PM and local rock group Fish Lips at 6 PM.
 

In additional to its signature free musical performances, the Deerfield Harvest Festival also includes several hours of free family fun including 3 performances of the USA Break Dancers on Saturday and Sunday as well as jugglers, magicians, stilt walkers and several cartoon characters.
“Mascot Mania” features visits by are professional mascots and cartoon characters on Sat., Oct. 6, 2-5 PM. Kids and everyone will enjoy the antics of Eagle’s Swoop, Phantom’s Phlex, Surf’s Splash, Batman, Wonder Woman, Sponge Bob, Power Ranger and Dora the Explorer and others.
 

The festival parade is Oct. 6 at noon. Local businesses, groups and individuals are invited to enter bands, floats, marching groups, antique cars, farm equipment and fire and rescue units. Cumberland Regional, Bridgeton, Vineland, Pitman and Woodruff schools have already registered their bands and Deerfield farmers of the year, Cosmo and Angel Paladino and farm heritage award recipients Anthony and Kathy Pipitone will be guests in the parade.
 

Registrations are also being accepted for the arts and crafts, business and community displays and for the festival idol contest. To register to any of these events, call Deerfield Township municipal building at 856-455-3200 or enter online at www.deerfieldtownship.org. The entry deadlines are Sept. 21 for the idol contest and Sept. 28 for arts and crafts and the parade.
 

The festival’s weekend of family fun includes amusement rides and games on the well-run, family-friendly Skelly Amusements midway. A super pass is available for $30 per person that allows unlimited rides all-three days of the festival. Daily unlimited rides discounts sponsored by Quality Lincoln Mercury of Millville, Cumberland County More to Offer and Bridgeton News are offered for $15 per person on Fri., Oct. 5, 6-10 PM and Sat. and Sun. Oct. 6 & 7, Noon-5 PM. Normal per ride tickets may be purchased at any time during the festival.
 

The festival also includes a petting zoo, pony rides, a sports memorabilia show, an extensive food court and it ends at 9:30 PM on Oct. 7 with a giant fireworks display in honor of American pride, sponsored by DRBA and Cape May Lewes Ferry.
The festival is held outdoors, rain or shine, on the grounds of Rosenhayn Fire Company and adjacent Frank LoBiondo, Sr. Park in the town of Rosenhayn in Cumberland County, NJ on Oct. 5, 6-10 PM and Oct. 6 and 7, noon – 10 PM. There is no admission charge and all musical and family entertainment is free.
 

Getting to the festival from Rt. 55 and points east of Rt. 55 will be a bit different this year due to the Rt. 56 – Landis Avenue Detour. Exit 32B of Rt. 55 to access Rt. 56 (Landis Avenue) West in Vineland is closed as is Landis Avenue west toward Rosenhayn from Vineland.
 

The easiest, most direct route to the festival this year from Rt. 55 in Vineland is to take exit 29, Sherman Ave., Rt. 552 west for 4 miles toward Bridgeton. At the third traffic light west of Rt. 55, counting the one right at the exit, which is at Morton Ave. in Carmel, turn right. Follow Morton Ave. for 3 miles straight to the festival. This will take you to official $5 per day, lighted, parking lots that are in easy walking distance of the event. A free shuttle bus to & from the festival is provided.
 

You may also follow the official Rt. 56 west detour after exiting on to Sherman Ave. Follow signs for Rt. 56 West.
 

For the most current and more detailed information about the Deerfield Township Harvest Festival, please go to www.deerfieldtownship.org or call 856-455-3200.
 

Deerfield Harvest Festival

Oct. 6-8

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

By SANDRA JOHNSON-BOHANNAN Staff Writer

DEERFIELD TWP. -- It'll be a fun festival with the same rock and country theme, but the rest of the format will be shaken up and rattled a little bit.

The 28th annual Deerfield Harvest Festival, once again with Comcast as a major sponsor and remaining under the theme, "A little bit country, a little bit rock and roll," will be held on Oct. 6, 7 and 8, rain or shine.

"I extend an invitation to all the Deerfield Township residents and visitors, from throughout Cumberland County, South Jersey and beyond, to spend a weekend in our community, enjoying free family fun and entertainment," said township Deputy Mayor Carol Musso.

"This time, we are hoping for a lot more sunshine and clear skies," she added, referring to last year's partly-drenched festival.

Major changes in the festival will be with the parade, as well as the Idol Contest.

Instead of having the parade on Sunday, it's moving to Saturday, Oct. 7, at noon, with a rain date of Oct. 8.

Instead of a single-day Idol Contest, the suspense of learning who the winners are will extend three days, which will begin with a preliminary competition on Friday night, according to Idol Contest Coordinator Beverly O'Brien.

On Saturday, Friday's three finalists each in four categories (ages 4-9, 10-16, 17-22 and 23 and over) will be riding on a float in the parade.

Finally, the 12 finalists will compete on Sunday, singing two songs each for a panel of judges.

This year, 10 judges (their scores will be combined as the fifth judge of five judges) will be the "people's choice."

"Attendees will be able to choose (the judges)," O'Brien said.

As far as the entertainment goes, that's getting a little push, too.

The Gin Blossoms, a Grammy-nominated pop and rock group, was chosen to perform on Saturday, Oct. 7, to bring a more age-diverse crowd.

The band's hits include: "Hey Jealousy," "Follow You Down" and "As Long As It Matters."

Their new album, entitled, "Major Lodge Victory," will be released in August.

"We're trying to get a younger crowd," said festival publicity chairman Tony Stanzione. "It's an attempt to get a little bit higher level of entertainment and a younger crowd."

The group joins a tentative line-up that includes: Emerson Drive, the Exceptions and the Soul Cruisers.

"We're trying to make sure that the performers are a little bit more cross-generational and bring in the younger people as well, including the younger children," said Recreation Committee Chairman Roy Spoltore.

Ricochet also returns for another go after playing a cappella last year inside the Rosenhayn fire station to a crowd of 100 to 150 people because of the rain.

The event will also include tried and true standards that the whole family can enjoy: Children's fun, fireworks, the food court, arts and crafts, games, amusement rides and sports, community and business displays.

Stanzione and Spoltore also want to expand sponsorship and advertising beyond Deerfield Township and Cumberland County by also putting their flier into two newspapers this year.

Sponsorships, which range from event namings for a $15,000 donation, to $60 for a 4x2-inch advertisement, are also being promoted.

"This is an opportunity to get in touch with the community, but also to help businesses," Stanzione said.

Sponsorship forms are available at the Deerfield Township Municipal Building or via e-mail at festival@deerfieldtownship.com.

They're also looking to get sponsors for parade floats.

Comcast, who's been a major sponsor for a number of years, will continue to help the festival.

"We've always enjoyed being a sponsor because it is truly a family event," said Kathy Farinaccio, Comcast's area government affairs manager. "It's a nice thing for us to be a part of. It's a win-win, and we plan to be involved for quite a long time."

Township committeeman John Stanzione, on behalf of Deerfield and the recreation committee, thanked everyone involved for all their help with past festivals.

"We look forward to everyone's support again this year," he said.

For more information about the festival, contact the municipal building at 455-3200, visit online at www.deerfieldtownship.org or e-mail at festival@deerfieldtownship.org.

FESTIVAL PARADE

WILL BE HELD

ON SATURDAY, OCT. 7, 2006

at NOON

 

The Deerfield Township Recreation Committee has announced a major change in its 28th annual harvest festival that is scheduled for October 6, 7 and 8, 2006 in Rosenhayn.

 

Since its inception in 1979, a parade has been a big part of the festival.  That will not change in 2006.  What will change is the traditional day for the parade.  Don't look for the parade on Sunday.  The Harvest Festival parade will march down Morton Avenue in Rosenhayn on Saturday, October 7 beginning at noon.

 

So parade participants and parade lovers, mark those calendars and plan to be a part of the fun on Saturday instead of Sunday.

 

For entry information, please click on the Parade link on the website menu on the left.

 

RAIN RUINED RICOCHET'S FESTIVAL APPEARANCE IN 2005

BUT THEY AGREED TO RETURN IN 2006

 

 

Ricochet is the first country group to ever chart the “National Anthem” on Billboard’s top 40. They have performed on the “NBC Tonight Show”, “The Grand Ole Opry”, and the nationally televised awards shows presented by the ACM and CMA. They have headlined 2 USO tours, entertaining armed forces personnel in Japan, Korea, Spain, Italy, Germany, Macedonia, Turkey, and Portugal. They recently performed at the largest country concert event in Japan called “The Country Gold Festival”.


Ricochet singles that have climbed the country charts include: Daddy’s Money”, “What Do I Know”, “Love Is Stronger Than Pride”, “Ease My Troubled Mind”, “He Left A Lot To Be Desired”, “Connected At The Heart”, “Blink Of An Eye”, “Seven Bridges Road”, “Do I Love You Enough”, and “She’s Gone”.

 

 

ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW THREE DAYS IN 2006

 

Registrations are now being accepted for the arts and crafts show which has expanded to three days . The registration deadline for arts and crafts is October 1 as long as space is available. If arts and crafts spaces are available after Oct. 1, entries will be accepted but the total cost will be $25 higher than posted in the table below.

Arts and crafts vendors can register for a limited number of spaces under the festival tents by calling the municipal building at 856-455-3200, completing the registration form and paying the registration fee. You may also register on line at www.deerfieldtownship.org. 

The fee is $40.00 for either Friday, Saturday or Sunday, October 7, 8 and 9. $60 for two of the days and $80 for all three days.

Retailers who do not make their own items may reserve space at the fee of $50.00 for one of the days or $75.00 for 2 days or $100 for all 3 days. 

Vendors who bring their own canopy / tent will be charged $15.00 per frontage for 1 or 2 days or $20 per frontage foot for all three days. There is a limit of three sand art and face painting vendors and the minimum fee is $150 for all three days.