Appel Farm Arts and Music Festival facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Appel Farm Arts and Music Festival |
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Picture of one of two concert stages at the 2012 Appel Farm Arts and Music Festival.
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| Genre | acoustic rock, alternative rock, blues, folk, indie, rock |
| Dates | The festival was usually held in June |
| Location(s) | Elmer, New Jersey |
| Years active | 1989-2012 |
| Founded by | Appel Farm’s Executive Director, Mark Packer, and Sean Timmons, Artistic Director |
The Appel Farm Arts and Music Festival was a super fun, one-day music event. It happened every year on the first Saturday in June. The festival took place at the Appel Farm Arts and Music Center. This center is located near Elmer, New Jersey, in Salem County, New Jersey, USA.
The festival was known for its awesome concerts. It also had a special crafts fair. There was even a "Children's Village" filled with games and activities. Grown-ups could find beer and wine tents too. People came from all over the mid-Atlantic region. Sometimes, as many as 10,000 people would visit the festival!
Contents
History of the Festival
In 1988, two people had a great idea. Mark Packer, Appel Farm's director, and Sean Timmons, the artistic director, wanted to create a music event. They wanted to bring famous performers to a quiet part of New Jersey. It was also a way to celebrate 30 years of the Appel Farm Arts Camp.
They knew about other festivals. But they wanted their event to be special. They decided to focus on great songwriting. They also wanted to show off amazing craft artists. Plus, they made sure there were lots of activities for kids.
Sean Timmons once said, "We focus on great songwriting." He explained that the music could be folk, country, rock, Latin, or hip-hop. They didn't want to limit themselves to just one type of music.
The First Festival
The very first festival happened on May 13, 1989. It was held on a 176-acre site that used to be a farm. This first event set an example. It featured well-known artists alongside local and newer performers.
Famous singer-songwriters like Don McLean, Tom Rush, and Livingston Taylor performed. Local groups and artists also shared their music. About 800 people came to that first festival. Over time, the crowds grew much bigger. Sometimes, more than 10,000 people attended! The festival always stayed true to its original ideas.
Over the years, the festival became very famous. People even called it the "Woodstock of South Jersey." This was because it had so many different kinds of musicians. And it was held in a beautiful, natural setting.
Festival Activities
From 1990 onwards, the festival was held on the first Saturday of June. Music lovers came from all over the Northeastern United States. Some even traveled from Texas and California!
This family-friendly event lasted all day. It featured up to twelve musicians and bands. Both famous and new artists performed on two outdoor stages. The festival also had a "Children's Village." This area offered fun children's theater shows and art activities. There was also a "Juried Crafts Fair." Here, over 50 artists showed and demonstrated their amazing artwork.
Artist Greg Nemec designed the festival's famous posters. He created them for the first twenty years!
Awards and Recognition
The Appel Farm Arts and Music Festival received many awards. It won two Governor's Awards for Tourism (in 2008 and 2004). Philadelphia Magazine gave it the “Best of Philly” Award in 1992 for "Folk Festival." In 2007, South Jersey Magazine voted Appel Farm the “Best Performance Venue.” The festival's Craft Fair also got an "excellent" rating from the Montclair Craft Guild.
Later Years
The festival took a break in 2009. But it came back strong in 2010! That year, it was a one-stage event. It featured popular bands like The Avett Brothers and Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. In 2011, the festival was back to two stages. It had a wide variety of artists. These included Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band, Ani DiFranco, and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue.
Past Performers
Many amazing artists performed at the Appel Farm Arts and Music Festival over the years. Here are just a few examples:
- 2012: Tedeschi Trucks Band, Dawes, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Rodney Crowell.
- 2011: Ani DiFranco, Trombone Shorty, Nicole Atkins, Good Old War.
- 2010: The Avett Brothers, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Patty Griffin.
- 2008: Marc Cohn, They Might Be Giants, Suzanne Vega, The Smithereens.
- 2007: Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Joan Armatrading, Amos Lee, North Mississippi Allstars.
- 2006: Fountains of Wayne, Richard Thompson, Janis Ian, Duncan Sheik.
- 2005: Rufus Wainwright, Aimee Mann, Madeleine Peyroux, Mavis Staples.
- 2004: Ani DiFranco, Jonatha Brooke, Shawn Colvin, Los Lonely Boys.
- 2003: Joan Armatrading, Rosanne Cash, Little Feat, Martin Sexton.
- 2002: Jackson Browne, Jonatha Brooke, Nerissa & Katryna Nields, Grey Eye Glances.
- 2001: The Robert Cray Band, Lucinda Williams, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, Dar Williams.
- 2000: Mary Chapin Carpenter, Richard Thompson, Jonatha Brooke, Moxy Früvous.
- 1999: Arlo Guthrie, Bruce Cockburn, Susan Werner, The Nields.
- 1998: Indigo Girls, Iris DeMent, Moxy Früvous, Livingston Taylor.
- 1997: John Prine, Madeleine Peyroux, Dar Williams, Richie Havens.
- 1996: Emmylou Harris, Leo Kottke, Janis Ian, Kips Bay.
- 1995: Shawn Colvin, Arlo Guthrie, Wolfstone, Cliff Eberhardt.
- 1994: Nanci Griffith, Laura Nyro, Chris Smither, Iain Matthews.
- 1993: Randy Newman, Livingston Taylor, Patty Larkin, David Massengill.
- 1992: The Roches, Holly Near, John Gorka, Tom Chapin.
- 1991: Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Livingston Taylor, John Sebastian, John Hammond.
- 1990: Tom Paxton, Holly Near, Leon Redbone, Loudon Wainwright III.
- 1989: Don McLean, Tom Rush, Livingston Taylor.
