Medford Festival Features Jersey Fresh Wines

Kick off summer with an afternoon of Jersey Fresh fun this Sunday June 7, from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. Tents will line Main Street in Medford, offering an afternoon of delights at the annual Art, Wine & Music Festival.

The festival shines the spotlight on a variety of Jersey Fresh wines from Cream Ridge Winery, Auburn Road Vineyards, Monroeville Vineyard & Winery, Hawk Haven Vineyard, and Wagonhouse Winery. Representatives will be on hand to pour sample glasses of Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Moscato, Merlot and more. For those who prefer hops to grapes, Mount Holly’s own Village Idiot Brewing Company will provide craft beer tastings.

Along with the wine, a vibrant open-air market will feature paintings, pottery, handcrafted jewelry, glass, wood, and fabric crafts available for sale. More than 30 artists, photographers and crafters from throughout New Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania will be on hand to display their work.

South Jersey bands and musicians will set up on porches and street corners along the route, lending a melodic backdrop of sound to the event by playing music throughout the afternoon. Rock, pop, bluegrass, and folk tunes will be performed by Lost in Brunswick, Branin Road, M-Town Jazz Jam, Mike Kaufman, Ted Trump, and more.

“Shop-Rite of Medford sponsors the event, along with the Medford Arts Center (MAC) and the Medford Business Association (MBA),” Dave Vaughn, a spokesperson from the MBA said. “And this year we have a new wine glass sponsor, Medford Mortgage.” Don’t miss the Cruise-in sponsored by the Lakes Corvette Club. This year, an even larger collection of prized classic autos will be shined up and on display. Family activities include face-painters, caricaturists, balloon artists, hula-hoop performers and magicians. A variety of food and snacks will be available along the street. Braddock’s Restaurant and The Pop Shop will be open, and food vendors featuring salads and wraps, hot dogs, burgers, barbecue, and ice cream will be woven in and around the festivals other attractions.

Admission to the Art, Wine & Music Festival is free, but there is a $10 fee to participate in wine and beer tastings. Wristbands will be for sale at information booths located at the north end of Main Street and at the intersection of Main and Bank Streets. A souvenir wine glass is included in the fee. Approximately 4,000 people are expected to attend the event. “We had a record turnout last year,” said Vaughn. “We are hoping for more of the same this year.”

Handicapped parking is available in the Cranberry Hall parking lot (enter from Branch Street) or the public lot behind the Stagecoach Stop (enter from west end of Union Street), as well as other Medford Village parking lots behind the community center and the township offices. The Medford Art, Wine and Music Festival is a rain or shine event. Please visit www.medfordbusiness.org for more information.