Camden Jam Returns on Saturday, October 7 to Wiggins Waterfront Park

The City of Camden and Camden Community Partnership are proud to announce the return of Camden Jam: Arts & Music Festival to the City on Saturday, October 7. This FREE festival is open to the public, and will be held from 12 to 6 p.m. in Wiggins Waterfront Park. Camden Jam is the concluding event in Camden Community Partnership’s 2023 Connect the Lots season.

"Camden Jam is a celebration of Camden's vibrant community spirit and our commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for our residents. This festival is a testament to the strength of our community bonds and the shared experiences that bring us closer together. As we look forward to October 7th at Wiggins Waterfront Park, let's come together to make this year's Camden Jam a day of lasting memories and community pride," said Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen.

“It truly is an honor to present such a wonderful family fun event like Camden Jam to the residents of Camden,” said Mark McDonough, President of New Jersey American Water and Senior Vice President of American Water and Co-Chair of Camden Community Partnership’s Board of Directors. “As our marquee event of the year, Camden Jam brings family, friends and neighbors together for an afternoon of entertainment, interactive activities, delicious food and information right in their own back yard. So, mark your calendars for Camden Jam on October 7th and let’s show the world what makes the City of Camden the best place to live, work and have fun!”

This year’s Camden Jam will feature live music and performances, arts and crafts, various community groups and vendors, family-friendly activities, giveaways, food trucks and more! It will be hosted by radio and TV personality Mina SayWhat of WRNB-FM 100.3 Radio One Philadelphia. International singer-songwriter and pianist Avery Sunshine will perform as this year’s headliner, with additional performances on the main stage by Mir Fontane, Edgardo Cintron & the Inca Band and renowned artist Treena Ferebee and Camden’s Creative Arts High School Choir. The event will also feature a diverse lineup of local and recognized artists, including HighNote, Emerald City, Kingsley Ibeneche, Jo Rivers, Daniel Spearman & SoundEVR, and more.

"It's truly a privilege to grace the Camden Jam stage and connect with my hometown crowd, especially the youth of Camden. Being able to inspire and provide our children with the creative outlet of art, potentially paving the way for it to become a therapeutic outlet or even a career path, is a priceless opportunity,” said 2023 Camden Jam performer Kingsley Ibeneche.

Added 2023 Camden Jam performer Jo Rivers, “Performing in my hometown means the world to me. As a proud product of Camden, the unwavering support I receive from the city while pursuing my dreams is truly invaluable. It's a reminder to all artists that we should always stay connected to our roots and allow our city to be a part of our journey from the beginning, so that when success comes, it resonates even more deeply with the people who watched us grow."

The 2023 Camden Jam will also feature a variety of food trucks, arts and crafts and various health and wellness vendors and displays from community organizations from the city of Camden and surrounding region. Refreshments, food and wares will be available for purchase – featured food trucks include: Corinne’s Place, Jamrock Reggae Soul, Juice Capitol, Kreamies, Mister Softee, POWDA Blue LLC and Sabor Street Grill. Additionally, attendees will be able to enjoy a variety of fun, family-friendly activities, including face painting, bounce houses, lawn games, magicians, photo booth and more.

“We are thrilled to welcome Camden Jam back to Wiggins Waterfront Park for a day full of music, art and family fun,” said Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. “Events such as these are instrumental in bringing the Camden community together to celebrate local artists and recognized that this city is overflowing with talent and potential.”

Camden Jam is sponsored by: American Water, CAMcare Health Corporation, Camden Community Partnership, Camden County Board of Commissioners, Camden Lutheran Housing, Inc., Camden Parking Authority, Camden Special Services District, Campbell’s Soup Company, City of Camden, EMR, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, the Philadelphia 76ers, Subaru of America, The Michaels Organization and the William Penn Foundation.

“Subaru of America, Inc. is proud to (once again) support this year’s Camden Jam alongside our Camden corporate and community partners,” says Shira Haaz, Head of Corporate Responsibility for Subaru of America. “It’s a great opportunity to come together for a celebration of this great City and the spirit and people who continue to help it thrive. We’re looking forward to a terrific day of music, food, and Love!”

Camden Jam is part of programming organized through Camden Community Partnership’s Connect the Lots program – designed to engage Camden residents in neighborhood transformation by creating safe hubs of activity and quality programming, giving residents the opportunity to enjoy in city public spaces and corridors.

“Every day, we work to improve the lives of Camden residents by offering creative programs designed to enhance creativity, build character and foster a greater love for our city and its residents,” said Dana L. Redd, President and CEO of Camden Community Partnership. “Camden Jam brings the musical and cultural arts right to our backyard – uniting local youth and families together in celebration of the City of Camden’s rich cultural tradition, vibrant history and continued revitalization.”

All Connect the Lots programming is made possible through generous support from the William Penn Foundation, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, Camden Special Services District, private corporations and the state’s Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit program, as well as program partners like Center for Aquatic Sciences, St. Joseph’s Carpenter Society, The Salvation Army Kroc Center and Better Tomorrows.

For those wishing to attend the 2023 Camden Jam festival, free parking will be offered to all Camden Jam attendees at both Lot 1 (located at S Front Street and Delaware Ave) and the Waterfront Parking Garage (located at 10 Delaware Avenue) in Camden.

To learn more about Camden Jam or Connect the Lots programs and special events, visit http://www.ctlcamden.com/ or follow the Connect The Lots on Instagram and Twitter: @CTLCamden. To learn more about economic development in Camden and the City’s continued growth, visit Camden Community Partnership’s website at: https://camdencommunitypartnership.com/.

About Camden Community Partnership:

Camden Community Partnership (CCP) was founded in 1984 as a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to planning and implementing high-quality urban redevelopment projects to revitalize the City of Camden. CCP’s initial focus was concentrated on the redevelopment of Camden’s downtown waterfront area – serving as the planner, promoter, and master developer of more than $600 million of private and public investment at the Waterfront. Since then, CCP has expanded their mission to act as the umbrella organization to bring stakeholders together and implement a holistic approach to revitalizing Camden. With a residents-first approach at the core of what we do, CCP focuses on housing, public safety, infrastructure, education, neighborhood initiatives, park and green space development, and facilitates the creation of employment opportunities. Strategic investments in these areas act as a catalyst for future growth and bring a renewed sense of pride in Camden as a vibrant place to live, work and play. Learn more: https://camdencommunitypartnership.com/.