Clearwater: A day of free music, family fun and helping the Earth

Originally published Aug. 18, 2011

Asbury Park — You can try out all-natural cleaning supplies, buy an organic Clearwater tee shirt, get the kids faces painted, learn about what your local environmental groups are doing or just relax and enjoy great continuous live music at the 36th Annual Clearwater Festival Sunday August 20. The free event offers family fun near the ocean but with lots of shade in Sunset Park on Main Street. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Inspired by folksinger Pete Seeger’s early call to end water pollution and named for his sloop Clearwater, the Festival is a mix of song, dance, art, crafts, a children’s area and exhibits designed to celebrate the environment. It is sponsored by the New Jersey Friends of Clearwater, a non profit group that works year round to educate and advocate for the environment.
“We are planning a weekend of good music, good fun and good information about what protecting our natural resources.” said Joelle Lundy of Red Bank, NJFC President, noting that this year’s theme is Down with Sea Level Rise, Stop Climate Change.
The festival will feature Spook Handy, dubbed a modern day troubadour; Matt Wade, 2010 Best New Artist at Jersey Acoustic Music Awards; folk, rock and country from The Amboys and Matt O’Ree, a Guitarmaggedon King of Blues winner, to name a few of the more than a dozen performers on two stages.
Off stage but a center of action, the Circle of Song will add another 15 plus musicians and singers who take turns serenading Festival-goers who sometimes join in.
More than a dozen environmental groups are also scheduled to participate to provide information and exhibits on topics ranging from protecting water resources to recycling to solar energy and ‘green’ vendors will offer environmentally friendly products.
They will be joined by craftspeople selling their creations, and food vendors.
The day will also feature the Fourth Annual NJ Environmental Justice Roundtable, where urban and workplace leaders will discuss environmental issues that are disproportionately affecting the young and poor people of the state. The discussion starts at 2 p.m.
The little ones can enjoy a special children’s area.
The event is handicapped accessible and sign language interpreters are available.
Prospective Festival-goers. volunteers, crafters, food and other vendors can get more information at www.mcclearwater.org

Entertainment Schedule

Main Stage
• 11am – Mary MlcCrink, acoustic music with an Angelic Voice
• Noon – O’Neil & Martin, Americana Duo
• 1pm – The Amboys, folk, rock, country
• 2pm -The WAG, powerpop rock and pop with fantastic harmonies
• 3pm – Matt O’Ree, Winner of 2006 Guitarmeggedon “King of Blues”
• 4pm – Matt Wade, best new artist, 2010 Jersey Acoustic Music Awards
• 5pm – Jo Wymer, Top Blues Band Award at the Asbury Music Awards

Acoustic Stage
• 11pm – Danny Alderman, children’s Entertainer with a message
• Noon – Robert Francis, magician extraordinaire
• 1pm – Jenny Woods, Musicians on a Mission Co. founder
• 2pm – Kathy Moser, Songs for the Environment
• 3pm – Virago, original songs with ethnic melodies and rhythms
• 4pm – Chuck Schaeffer, original country music
• 5pm – Spook Handy, modern day troubadour

Circle of Song
Thomas Wesley Stem
Kacie Baker
Ingrid Heldt
Joe Petraitis
Isis Ra
Carl Croce
Jim Crawford
Sharleen Leahey
April Mae and Catfish
Arlon Bennett
Mike Meade
Sloop Singers
Circle ‘Round the Sun
Jan Christiansen
Eric and Hillary