Attendees to the 14th annual Sourland Music Festival will get more than the already announced live musical acts and sweeping vistas of the region next month, as organizers say they have secured a number of new and fun activities for all ages., Slated to take place at the Hillsborough Golf and Country Club on Saturday, June 17 from 3–10 p.m., festival co-chair Suzanne Parsons touted the event as a local tradition for families to get together and have a good time., “[The Sourland Music Fest] is a gathering of families and community to celebrate the Sourland Mountain region and the great outdoors,” she said.”Members from all five Sourland municipalities have been working hard to make this year’s event better than ever.”, In addition to the musical stylings of The John Ginty Band, Russell Norkevich, JD Malone & The Experts, Lisa Bouchelle, Tom Tellitsch, Karl Dietel 5, and The High Hearts, this year’s fete will feature some activities rife with “cool critters” provided by local wildlife and nature organizations., According to Parsons, “the Conserve Wildlife Foundation will present information about bats” Swallow Hill Farm will show alpacas, wool demonstrations and activities for kids; Mercer County Wildlife Center will display Emerald Ash Borers and a box turtle; Stony Brook Millstone Watershed Association will have a corn snake, western hog nosed snake and red-eared slider; NJ Audubon Society, Plainsboro Preserve is providing a bird identity wheel and plush birds for touching, listening and learning; and New Jersey Beekeepers Association’s bee hive will be on display.”, “Don’t worry, it’s enclosed to the bees won’t get out,” she joked., According to Parsons, the new features were the brainchild of Bob and Judy Czekanski, of Skillman., Along with the more educational programs slated for the festival, Co-chair Tim Johnson said the more sporty attendees will have a chance to test their skills., “Participants can also test their vertical strength on the Rock Climbing Wall; watch a demonstration and learn about timber frame construction; and try Sourland Cycles’ newest mountain bike on a test trail at the edge of the Polo field,” he said., This year’s festival will also feature a new VIP experience for $80, courtesy of The Ryland Inn., Just as in previous years, attendees can expect fresh food, snacks and deserts from specialty vendors and beer and wine offerings from local breweries and vineyards, including Flounder Brewing Company (Hillsborough), Lone Eagle Brewing Company (Flemington) and Unionville Vineyards (Ringoes). Free water will be available all day., With the festival expected to take place in a month, officials said they need more volunteers to ensure that the event goes without a hitch. Anyone looking to work the festival for free admission and a t-shirt can register at sourlandmusicfest.org/volunteer., General admission tickets are currently available online for $25 at sourlandmusicfest.org. Tickets will also be available at the gate for $35 and children between 7 and 12 years old can get in for $10. In the event of inclement weather, the Sourland Music Festival will take place on Sunday, June 18 from 2–9 p.m., All proceeds support the Sourland Conservancy, a non-profit organization dedicated to protect, promote and preserve the unique character of the Sourland Mountain region.
