Like previous years, the festival will feature live entertainment, games and rides for the whole family.
For the 29th year in a row, Tabernacle’s Church of the Holy Eucharist will put on its annual Pine Barrens Festival from July 24–29. The event will take place at the church, located at 520 Medford Lakes Road in Tabernacle.
“It is something that the church really enjoys very much in the sense that it brings the community together — not only the Holy Eucharist community together but it brings the larger community together to experience a great night of fun and food and entertainment for the children for the rides,” said Church of the Holy Eucharist pastor Father Andrew Jamieson.
The first four nights of the festival will go from 6–11 p.m. The last two, which will be held on Friday and Saturday, will go from 6 p.m. to midnight.
Games and rides will open at 6:30 p.m. every day and live music will start at 7 p.m. and end at 11 p.m. from Monday to Thursday. Live music will go from 8 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday.
Monday, July 24 will be Medford night, which will feature TrumpBoyz, a southern rock, country and blues band.
Tuesday, July 25 will be Chatsworth Woodland night, which will feature Hot Sounds DJ as the live entertainment. Additionally, the Burlington County 4-H Cloggers will be on the main stage at 7:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, July 26, Hot Sounds DJ will once again be the live entertainment, but this time for Medford Lakes night. The South Jersey Guild of Spinners and Handweavers will be at the Pine Barrens Booth. Barbecue pulled pork and ribs will be the food special for this night.
Vincetown and Southampton night will be Thursday, July 27. K9 Rescue Search and Rescue Unit will be at the Pine Barrens Booth as Bullzeye, a southern rock, rockabilly and country band, will be the live entertainment. Pierogis and kielbasa will be the food specials.
Friday, July 28, Indian Mills and Shamong night, will feature entertainment from classic rock band Mid Life Crisis and a food special in the form of sausage, peppers and onions.
For the last day for the festival, Saturday, July 29, new and classic country rock band, the Tequila Rose Band, will perform. Saturday will be Tabernacle night.
Admission, entertainment and parking are all free. Ride bands will cost $25 until July 23. If purchased at the festival, the charge will be $30. The entire event will be cash only, but ATMs will be available. Pets are not allowed.
There will be a variety of festival foods on hand to choose from, including freshly cooked seafood, and a beer garden.
According to Jamieson, the church holds the festival every year mainly as a way for the community to see what Holy Eucharist Church is all about “and have a great time together and also touch base,” he said. “It’s been an annual event now for 29 years and it is something that the church really enjoys.”
