MusicFest '07 features Live, Chuck Berry and The Smithereens

MusicFest '07 features Live, Chuck Berry and The Smithereens
Live, one of the most enduring alternative rock bands of the past two decades, will headline Union County Musicfest '07, a free outdoor concert and family event to be held on Saturday, Sept. 15 at Nomahegan Park in Cranford.

The York, Pa.-based band, which has sold more than 20 million CDs worldwide and is known for soaring anthems such as "Lightning Crashes" and "Selling the Drama," is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. on the main stage.

But some music lovers may want to be on hand well before the headliners perform. The legendary Chuck Berry, a rock pioneer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, is slated to play at 12:30 p.m. He will be backed up by The Smithereens, who will be featured in their own set at 2:30 p.m. The Smithereens are led by Scotch Plains native Pat DiNizio and are known for such hits as "Blood and Roses" and "Only a Memory."

Rounding out the line-up on the main stage will be Roselle Park's Beale Street Love at 10:30 a.m. and Fountains of Wayne, a power-pop band with New Jersey roots known for the hits "Stacey's Mom" and "Radiation Vibe," at 4:30 p.m. All times are subject to change without notice.

A second venue, the LoveHopeStrength stage, will feature performances by the influential U.K.-based Ska rockers The English Beat at 11:30 a.m.; The Old Ceremony, a Chapel Hill-based indie band, at 1:30 p.m.; The Apples in Stereo, known for their Beatles-style pop, at 3:30 p.m.; and the Welsh rock band The Alarm, known for hits such as "68 Guns," "Sold Me Down the River" and "Rain in the Summertime," at 6 p.m.

Trout Fishing in America, an acclaimed three-time Grammy-nominated family act, will headline the Kids' Kingdom stage at 10:30 a.m.

In addition to the two adult and one children's concert stages, MusicFest features additional vendors and exhibits including Major League Baseball. Kids Kingdom, a traveling entertainment show featuring rides and amusements for children, will also be on site. Food and refreshments will be available to purchase.

The event is New Jersey's fastest growing musical and family fun festival, organizers said. "MusicFest is our marquee concert of the year and a day for everyone to come out and enjoy some family fun and great rock and roll music," said Union County Freeholder Chairwoman Bette Jane Kowalski.

And at 8 a.m., before the music begins, the county is partnering with two charitable organizations, the Love Hope Strength Foundation and New Jersey Citizens Coalition for Cures, to hold a Rock On! Walkathon. The event will raise funds and awareness to support stem cell research and help fight cancer. The walkathon will conclude in Nomahegan Park at 10 a.m. A registration form is available online at http://www.ucmusicfest.com/.

For more information on all the performers, schedules, directions and more, go to http://www.ucmusicfest.com/ or call (908) 436-2900. Limited parking will be available at Union County College's Cranford campus, but those planning to attend should note there will be shuttle van service beginning at noon Sept. 15 from the NJ Transit railroad station in downtown Cranford, which is along the Raritan Valley Line.

MusicFest is a rain or shine event. In the event that inclement weather makes park conditions unfavorable, MusicFest will be moved to Kean University in Union that day, but the Rock On! Walkathon will go on as planned in Cranford.

10:30 am
Beale Street Love
12:30 pm
Chuck Berry
2:30 pm
The Smithereens
4:30 pm
Fountains of Wayne
8:00 pm
Live

LoveHopeStrength
STAGE

11:30 am
The English Beat
1:30 pm
The Old Ceremony
3:30 pm
The Apples in Stereo
6:00 pm
The Alarm

Kids Kingdom STAGE
Masterfoods USA,
a division of M&M’s Incorporated

10:30 am
Trout Fishing in America
12 noon
Trout Fishing in America
1:00 pm
Patience Moore,
The Cowboy Girl
2:00 pm
The Gemz
3:00 pm
StarFish
3:45 pm
Miss Sherri and
The Little Animal Band