Maplewoodstock 2016 lineup features an array of great acts

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The Maplewoodstock Music and Arts Festival will be held Saturday, July 9, and Sunday, July 10, from noon until 10 p.m. each day. This free, live music and art event will be held at Memorial Park in Maplewood.

Now in its 13th year, Maplewoodstock has grown from a lazy afternoon jam in the park to a lively free two-day music and arts festival. Over the last several years, it has hosted artists like The Wailers, Marshall Crenshaw, Joan Osborne, Norah Jones’ Puss N Boots, Robert Randolph and The Smithereens — enjoyed by upward of 6,500 attendees each day. In addition to the music, there will be local arts and craft vendors, food of all sorts, a beer garden, and a large KidZone with games, inflatable rides, crafts, and more.

“Our goal is to provide a family-friendly event: the best possible free experience of music and art — by and for the community,” Maplewoodstock Chairman Drew Dix said in a press release. “Maplewoodstock is a Maplewood tradition of families, friends and neighbors bringing out blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets for a fantastic weekend of music, art, food and the best of the Maplewood community.”

Saturday’s lineup will headline festival favorites Railroad Earth and featured act Maya Acuzena, who performed at Maplewoodstock 2010 and is back by popular demand. Sunday’s show will close with legendary NRBQ and featured Jersey Shore artist Nicole Atkins. A total of 23 bands will perform over the two-day festival — many with local ties to the robust Maplewood and South Orange music scene and 15 first-time performers.

A full line-up of band bios can be found at maplewoodstock.com/music.

  Maplewood Memorial Park, Maplewoodstock