Medford residents gathered on Main Street for wine tasting, food, art, local products and family fun on Sunday, June 2 at the annual Medford Art, Wine and Music Festival.
The heat wave didn’t stop guests from attending, drawing more visitors than the previous year, according to Dave Vaughn, Medford Business Association executive director.
“We had twice the turnout [to the festival] than we did last year,” Vaughn said. “I think it’s the economy.”
According to Vaughn, the equation was no different from last year. The MBA did the same amount of advertising as previous years, but had a much larger turnout this year.
“The only difference we had this year was adding the car show,” Vaughn said.
Seven South Jersey wineries were in attendance, in addition to six food vendors and more than 30 artists and crafters, who displayed and sold artwork.
“The Medford Arts Center and the Medford Business Association again worked together. This is the fourth year we’ve worked together as a team. It shows what organizations can do as a team,” Vaughn said. “The MBA looks to work with other organizations in town.”
Musicians lined Main Street playing acoustic, jazz and contemporary hits for crowds as part of the festival.
“You have businesses putting their best foot forward here on Main Street,” Vaughn said. “They’re trying to make things viable for themselves and for those that come from surrounding towns. It’s what makes it worth it to come to Medford.”
Holding festivals on Main Street reminds residents why community is important. Visitors have experienced Main Street in numerous ways throughout the year, from the Halloween Parade in the fall, to the Dickens Festival in the winter, and the Art, Wine and Music Festival in the spring.
“This is an iconic festival for Medford. It’s our seventh year,” Vaughn said. “The Historic Village of Medford is the focal point of the town. We want to bring visitors and foot traffic to local businesses in town.”
The event showcasing Main Street comes on the heels of major redevelopment to the area, including the sale of the bank sitting on Main and Bank streets.
“It means there’s significant interest in the downtown area,” Economic Development Advisory Committee Chairman Mike Pagnotta told The Sun in April. “Symbolically, that was important. Selling it marks the end of recession.”
According to Pagnotta, the building was vacant for five to seven years. Additionally, the EDC has “big plans” for the downtown area, with the help of the “toolbox” township council is providing, including the new sign ordinance, which was passed earlier this year.
Furthermore, the number of vacancies has been reduced with businesses looking at the available spaces.
According to Pagnotta, plans for other major changes on Main Street are currently being developed.
“It’s just a real good event on Main Street again,” Vaughn said.
The Medford Business Association is working on the Taste of Medford, which will be held at Kirby’s Mill again.
To learn more about the MBA, visit medfordbusiness.org. To learn more about the Medford Arts Center, visit artsinmedford.org.
