Jackson Pines
(SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The 50th New Jersey Folk Festival (NJFF) will take place on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Davidson's Mill Pond Park. The festival is a celebration of New Jersey folklife, folk arts, and traditions. Admission is free and the festival runs from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
The New Jersey Folk Festival (NJFF) is one of the nation’s longest continuously running folk festivals. This annual event brings together performers, artists, communities, organizations, and vendors to highlight folklife and folk arts across the state. The festival will feature a full day of musical acts across multiple stages, an engaging heritage area, activities for all ages, garden tours, folk and agricultural talks, food from local vendors, and much more. Best of all, this event is FREE!
This year’s NJFF is being produced in partnership with the Arts Institute of Middlesex County. Hosted at Davidson’s Mill Pond Park, the event will incorporate aspects of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension’s former Garden Arts & Music Festival to highlight the Garden State’s rich agricultural heritage.
Performances will take place on three stages: Skylands Stage (the festival's mainstage with multiple bands including the headliner Jackson Pines), Shore Stage (features local folk acts), and Pinelands Speaker Stage (a place to hear informative talks about New Jersey music and folklore).
Davidson's Mill Pond Park is llocated on the border of North and South Brunswick, New Jersey. One of the most picturesque areas of the County, this park covers 499 acres and features meadows, woods, a pond, and a waterfall. You’d never guess it’s just minutes from NJ-1, NJ-130, and I-95. The park is also home to The E.A.R.T.H. Center, the headquarters for Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County and The State University’s agricultural outreach wing.
Performance Schedule:
Skylands Stage
10:00am-10:45am - Long Time Coming (CSNY Tribute)
11:00am-11:25am - Opening Ceremonies
* Procession with Honorees Accompanied by New Brunswick Jazz Project
* National Anthem by NBJP trumpet player
* Brief Welcome by NJFF Staff (Matt Ferguson)
* Remarks by County Commissioner Chanelle Scott McCullum
* Remarks by Dr. Angus Gillespie-Founder of NJFF
* Highlights of the Day by Mainstage Emcee-Dr. Garrett Broad
11:30am-12:10pm - New Brunswick Jazz Project Brass Band
12:15pm-12:45pm - Jim Albertson w/ Fiddle Player (played at the first NJFF in 1975)
1:00pm-2:30pm - HEADLINER: Jackson Pines, including a set from the new album
3:00pm-4:00pm - Mike Montrey Band
Shore Stage
10:00am-11:00am - Lesser Seamus
11:15am-Noon - Sierra Peaks
12:15pm-12:45pm - McDermott's Handy
1:00pm-1:30pm - Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise
1:45pm-2:30pm - Tempo Alegre
2:45pm-4:00pm - Spook Handy with Audience Sing-along
Pinelands Speaker Stage
10:00am-10:30am - Tony DiGerolamo "How to Hunt the Jersey Devil"
10:40am-11:00am - Michael Gabriele "New Jersey Diner Culture"
11:30am-Noon - Jackson Pines & Dr. Angus Gillespie "The Life and Music of Maurice 'Merce' Ridgway Sr. & Merce Ridgway Jr."
12:15pm-12:45pm - Dr. Angue Gillespie "The History of the NJFF"
1:00pm-1:30pm - Spook Handy Workshop "Building Community Through Music"
1:40pm-2:15pm - Spook Handy Original Play Preview "Always Have a Song to Sing"
2:30pm-3:00pm - Jim Albertson "My Life in Folk Music"
3:15pm-3:45pm - Pete McDonough "A Short Journey through 100 Years of Acoustic Finger-Style
American Blues"
GARDEN TOURS:
Native Plant Garden/Trail - This long-standing project demonstrates how native plants can be incorporated into home landscapes. Native plants support wildlife and can be beautiful additions to our yards. They require less irrigation and fertilizer because they are adapted to our local soil and climate. This garden is accessible whenever the park is open.
Circle of Thyme Herb Garden - Visit the Circle of Thyme herb garden designed and planted by the current Master Gardener. Make a fresh herb bundle to take home.
Vegetable Demonstration Garden - A showcase of the best gardening practices, aiming to teach the current year’s Master Gardener class while showcasing new plant varieties. Guests can arrange a mini bouquet.
Native Plant Teaching Nursery - This volunteer project aims to increase biodiversity and habitat in suburban landscapes in central New Jersey. Extension staff teach volunteers how to collect native seeds to grow these plants for donation to local community projects. Learn to transplant seedlings and take home a native specimen.
Children’s Garden - A display of whimsical plantings and structures encourages kids to read, explore, and learn. Use flowers and their natural pigments to press colorful designs onto bookmarks you can use all year round!
Evergreen Garden of Memories - This area is designed to commemorate and celebrate life events, milestones, and people, a place for meditation.
Rows for the Hungry - A 2-acre donation garden growing fresh, first-quality produce for the food insecure of Middlesex County. The project welcomes schools, community groups, and corporations to volunteer. As a result, the Rows have grown over 95,000 pounds of produce. Together, we “share our harvest and teach to empower.” You can also enjoy a tomato tasting, go on a rubber ducky hunt, and take a nutrition quiz.
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST AND ACTIVITIES
Butterfly House - Walk through a hoop house filled with plants that feed and shelter caterpillars and larvae. This enclosed space allows visitors to look closely at an array of butterfly species. Visitors will learn about butterfly host plants and ways of attracting butterflies to their home gardens.
REPLENISH – Middlesex County’s Food Pantry Bank - REPLENISH collaborates with dedicated partners to establish food security for residents by providing nutritious, culturally relevant foods and nurturing community connections. Come visit us in the Rows for the Hungry Garden to learn how you can help us achieve our mission through fun and educational activities like “Is it Still Good?” and “paper chains,” along with temporary tattoos, a selfie station, and more! Non-perishable food and monetary donations will also be accepted.
Paint a Pot Station by the Small Stage - Children are invited to paint their own flowerpots inspired by the natural colors and textures surrounding them. Master Gardeners will be on hand with materials and to guide the explorations. Supplies are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Greatest of the Garden Exhibition and Master Gardener Program Table - Don't miss the Greatest of the Garden Exhibition! Gardeners are welcome to bring their most significant and most outstanding home-grown tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelons, okra, squash, and longest gourds to show off. Bring your home-grown produce to the Master Gardener tent, and you will be recognized and roasted for your gardening efforts. All vegetables with the best likeness to a celebrity or historical figure will be considered top contenders. Submit your entry between 11 am and 2:00pm at the E.A.R.T.H. Center and stick around for a hearty handshake and a humble prize for all winners at 2:30pm.
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