Local Talent on Display at 3rd Annual Music Festival

Music will fill Triangle Center Sunday, July 17 as more than 45 performers and 25 vendors take part in the Third Annual Hillsborough Music Festival.

Described by organizer Donnetta Bishop-Johnson, founder of the Allegra School of Music and Arts, as a “people’s art festival,” the 2-9 p.m. event will feature “a lot of the talented performers from this area. That’s what we wanted to highlight – the talent that ‘s right here.”

In addition, representatives from YourVibe.com are expected to attend the festival in search of talent for a national competition that awards $50,000 and a recording contract, Bishop-Johnson said.

The free festival will benefit the Jonah Johnson Scholarship for Children in the Arts and Music Speaks, an organization founded by Hillsborough High School student Nicole Dvorin to benefit autism programs. Donations will be accepted at the event.

The festival is co-sponsored by the Hillsborough Cultural Arts Commission. In addition, the event is supported by numerous local businesses.

“Triangle Business Center has many exciting businesses that are supporting the festival, such as Rita’s Italian Ice, Zio’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, ESS Home Entertainment, Sun Bank, Cuff Links Hair Company and Patricia Kolaras of PLK Law Group, as well as Mountain View Chiropractic,” said Bishop-Johnson. Other sponsors include PowerHouse Gym and Affinity Bank.

“What’s significant about this festival is our dedication to local charities that directly support Hillsborough youth and the inclusion. We are not importing talent to entertain us – we want to soak up and show off all the talent we have right here in town,” she continued.

Scheduled to entertain at Triangle Center on Route 206 are performers from Hillsborough, Montgomery, Skillman and other surrounding communities. Bands will include Small Town Scoundrels, For the Plane, Keeping Riley, Valhalla, Black Razor and Jagged.

Among the vendors will be 6-year-old township resident Manda Madsen. The young owner of Manda’s Jewelry House donates five percent of the proceeds from the sales of her jewelry to the Angel Fund at Belle Mead Animal Hospital.

Also available will be companies selling feather hair extensions, women’s accessories and businesses such as Somerset Conservation and Costco.

A free shuttle bus will be available from the Hillsborough Promenade near Kohl’s on Route 206 beginning at 2 p.m.