originally published: 04/04/2022

(RINGOES, NJ) -- The Sourland Mountain Festival, presented by Unionville Vineyards, returns on Saturday, July 23rd with a powerful musical lineup. Enjoy the best local food and beverages and visit specialized craft and service vendors and local organizations who will show and tell you about the history and wildlife of the mountain. The VIP Experience will be available from The Ryland Inn of Whitehouse Station. New Jersey musical artists featured at this year’s festival include The Outcrops, James Popik and Supernova, and Rainbow Fresh.

The Outcrops band tag plays rock & roll, blues, and soul. Their original songs feature lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Cassidy Rain, whose vocals have been compared to those of Bonnie Raitt and Susan Tedeschi. Her front-person raw sensibility could as easily bring comparisons to blues legends like Howlin' Wolf or Muddy Waters. Bryan Schroeder’s lead guitar playing falls somewhere between Duane Allman and Derek Trucks. The rhythm section of the band, Jason Casanovas on bass and Max Adler on drums, brings a funk and soul feel that melds beautifully with Cassidy’s vocals and Bryan’s guitar.

James Popik and Supernova are an eight-piece juggernaut playing classic and modern jazz with a jam vibe, what they like to call “festival jazz.” Led by guitarist James Popik, Supernova features a three-piece “psychic” horn section, an excellent keyboardist, and an unmatched percussion section. From Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, and John Scofield to classic 60s funky jazz like Eddie Harris and Horace Silver, Supernova brings on some good old-fashioned jams and fun. Expect some brassy grooves. You just might wanna dance!

Jersey rock band Rainbow Fresh plays terrific driving music: tough, throbbing, hard-rocking, gas-pedal-down highway songs, built around propulsive six-string riffs. Frontman Rich Seiner has a strong voice, a better guitar sound, and a library of classic rock favorites that he's inspired by. Led Zeppelin is the most obvious touchstone, but there's more than a little psychedelic Floyd and pop-smart Steve Miller Band in his delivery. On “Dark Sun,” the group's latest release, Seiner and his bandmates put those skills and influences to good use— inviting you to roll down the windows, hit the interstate, and sing along.

Throughout the day, festival attendees will enjoy the best in local food, craft beer, award-winning wine and spirits, local artists, and craft vendors and services. The VIP Experience provided by The Ryland Inn returns this year with light snacks available throughout the day and a wonderful full buffet meal provided during the evening, prepared by renowned Executive Chef Chris Albrecht, who uses only locally sourced and responsibly grown products. VIP tickets must be purchased in advance and you must be 21 years of age or older.

Teen and adult volunteers are needed before, during, and after the festival. Volunteers receive free admission, a coveted volunteer T-shirt, and refreshments. For more information on being on volunteer, click here.

The Sourland Mountain Festival would like to thank Festival Presenting Sponsor Unionville Vineyards and VIP Sponsor The Ryland Inn, as well as Sourland Conservancy Business partners: Sourland Cycles, Sourland Mountain Spirits, The Bent Spoon, Dandelion Wishes, the Bank of Princeton, TechNeed, Pinelands Nursery, and Kilbourne & Kilbourne. Sponsor information is available for interested businesses here.

The 17th Sourland Mountain Festival will be held, rain or shine, on Saturday, July 23, 2022, from 3:00pm to 8:30pm at Unionville Vineyards, 9 Rocktown Rd, Ringoes, NJ. Purchase discounted advance-sale tickets online for adults and young people (12-18); children under 12 enter free. Proceeds benefit the Sourland Conservancy.