The public is invited to join the fun as the Sourland Mountain Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary on Saturday, August 16. The festival celebrating live music, local food, and community spirit runs from 3 to 8:30 p.m. at Unionville Vineyards in Hunterdon County. Tickets for adults are $45 in advance or $50 at the gate. Entry for ages 12 to 17 is $20; children under 12 are free.
Proceeds support the Sourland Conservancy’s mission to protect the Sourlands — the largest contiguous forest in Central New Jersey. Sourland Conservancy staff and volunteers have planted more than 57,000 trees since 2020, and they’re planning to plant 10,000 more trees this year. “It’s a fun day out, but it’s also a chance to give back and be part of something meaningful,” says festival co-chair Aditi Bhogal.
Festival co-chair Tiffany Bai notes that the planning team has worked hard to make this year’s event bigger and better than ever. “We wanted to create a festival that truly celebrates the spirit of the Sourlands — its music, its makers, and its mission. We’re so proud of the lineup, community partners, vendors, and experiences we’re offering this year to celebrate the 20th anniversary,” she says.
Setting the tone for the festival is a line-up of regional musical acts. “Sourland Mountain Fest bands always represent the region’s top talent,” says event co-chair Suzanne Parsons. “Once festival go-ers get a taste of them, they become the sought-after music of their households.”
The opening act is Dave Butler and Friends, featuring guitarist Jon LaDeau. Known for their laid-back, rootsy style, Butler and LaDeau bring a blend of Americana, blues, and folk to the stage.
Festival veterans James Popik & Supernova return with their signature “festival jazz,” a genre-defying fusion of jazz, funk, and jam-band grooves. Their improvisational spirit and joyful energy have made them fan favorites, evoking the early years of the festival when spontaneous jam sessions under the stars were a hallmark of the event.
Next up, BetterDucks plays an upbeat set featuring tight rhythms, soulful vocals, and infectious energy. Their sound blends rock, pop, and blues influences.
Headlining this year’s festival is Charles Laurita & The Mischief, a high-energy funk powerhouse from Hamilton. Known for their explosive live shows, Laurita and his band combine old-school funk with modern rock edge, bringing serious musicianship and tongue-in-cheek charm.
“This year’s music lineup is all about joy and great energy,” Bai says. “These bands know how to get people dancing, smiling, and just feeling good. That’s what the Sourland Mountain Fest is all about — great music, great people, and a great cause.”
In addition to the music, the festival features a variety of interactive and family-friendly attractions, including a change to meet the llamas from Spruce Run Llama Farm, guided nature hikes led by educators from the Raritan Headwaters Association, face painting, and hands-on activities.
For nature lovers and gardeners, native plants will be available for purchase from My Backyard at Nectars, a Titusville-based native plant center. Shoppers can also browse handcrafted goods from local artisans and small businesses, including Hillsborough Trading Co., while those curious about what the future may hold can enjoy a reading from Amanda the Psychic.
Food and drink are also a central part of the festival experience. “The Sourland Mountain Festival is about more than great music,” Bai says. “It’s about showcasing the richness of our local community—from food and drink to makers and farmers—and this year’s vendors are a perfect example of that.”
Area food trucks and purveyors participating in this year’s festival include AMA Pizza e Cucina, offering Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzas; Cas’ Pierogi & Kielbasa Food Truck, serving modern Polish comfort food; Olsson’s Purveyors of Fine Foods, know for its cheese and gourmet provisions; Free Spirits, creator of non-alcoholic craft mocktails; Lone Eagle Brewing, with a rotating tap of craft beers brewed in Flemington; and the host, Unionville Vineyards, offering their award-winning estate wines as well as wine tasting tours for an additional fee.
For guests seeking an elevated culinary experience, the VIP tent curated by the Ryland Inn offers a locally sourced farm-to-table buffet dinner crafted by Chef Daniel Brunina and his team as well as all-day access to light snacks and beverages. VIP admission is $150.
“Chef Dan and the Ryland Inn team are known for their commitment to seasonal, sustainable ingredients and fine dining,” Parsons says. “This VIP experience offers festivalgoers the rare chance to enjoy their hospitality in a casual, open-air setting.”
Sourland Mountain Fest, Unionville Vineyards, 9 Rocktown Road, Ringoes. Saturday, August 16, 3 to 8 p.m. Register. $45 in advance; $50 at the gates. www.sourlandmountainfest.com.
