Medford residents looking for good food, good music and, hopefully, good weather are in luck. Medford will be putting a stamp on a great summer by bringing back its annual “Taste of Medford” for another year on Sept. 19.
Each year, Medford brings the township together to send summer off right with this family-friendly event.
Adults will enjoy the tastes and sounds of the town while the kids enjoy a number of different child-friendly activities.
The Medford Business Association changes the kids events from year to year. This year, there will be a Jump-a-Lot Bounce, Marshal Steve’s Pony Rides and lawn tennis activities designed for the little ones that the Arrowhead Tennis Club hosts each year.
Another addition to this year’s event for the adults to enjoy will be a wine sampling from the 2014 gold and silver medal winner at the NJ Wine Competition, Cream Ridge Winery. The sampling will be available at no extra charge with an adult food sampling ticket purchase.
The Taste of Medford is put together by the members, trustees and volunteers of the Medford Business Association, working in unison with The Medford Historical Society. The Historical Society also opens Kirby’s Mill for event, holding tours and demonstrations of the site.
“Similar to the Art, Wine and Music Festival in June, which is a joint effort of the Medford Business Association and the Medford Arts Center, Taste of Medford is a great example of different organizations working together,” executive director of the Medford Business Association, David Vaughn, said.
This year’s participating restaurants include Braddock’s Tavern, The Pop Shop, Femmina Italian Grill, Tarantella Ristorante, Zinc Cafe, Illiano Cucina, Roselli’s Italian Market, Reily’s Candy, PJ Whelihan’s and the Taste of Medford’s presenting sponsor, ShopRite of Medford.
“The participating restaurants are always ready and eager to treat new and existing customers to their favorites, and to preview the latest additions to the menu,” Vaughn said.
The MBA likes to change the event’s music style over the years, using bands from different genres such as country, classic rock and jazz. This year, it will be featuring the smooth sounds of a local crowd favorite, M-Town Jazz Jam.
There will be no selling of items or competition for the band or restaurants, as the event is designed to sample food, listen to music, relax and enjoy the day.
Taste of Medford was created more than a decade ago as a way to focus attention on the many restaurants throughout the township, allowing visitors to sample some of their newest and best loved recipes. The overall goal of the event is to promote the town using these unique qualities.
“Medford is a great community, and one of the ways we can showcase our town is by attracting visitors from miles around each year with great festivals and events that are fun for the whole family, while providing exposure for our fine restaurants,” Vaughn said. “Also it provides an opportunity for local businesses to meet visitors in the Taste of Medford Business Expo, which accompanies the festival.”
The event will be held again next year and may be experiencing a major change with the addition of “Oktoberfest.”
“Oktoberfest has always been a separate event in the past, but the MBA is considering bringing the festival back and merging the two, perhaps as early as next year,” Vaughn said.
The MBA makes it a point to try to keep costs reasonable for folks to attend the event. Tickets purchased prior to the event are $12 for adults. On the day of the event, tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under, with children 3 years old and under free.
Anyone who is interested can purchase tickets in advance at Columbia Bank on Route 70.
“This is just a great event overall. If I were to try to single out one part of the festival as my favorite, it would be taking a moment to pause in the middle of the day to see families eating, enjoying themselves, relaxing and listening to music, all while knowing in the back of my mind that we are helping our business community,” Vaughn said.
