Maplewood MayFest: It's Nearly Here

Performances by top local bands plus a wide array of family friendly activities and more will highlight the 12^th Annual Maplewood MayFest on Sunday, May 19, 2013 from 12:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m.  Springfield Avenue will be closed to traffic between Indiana and Rutgers Streets throughout the event. The rain date is Sunday, May 26^th. MayFest is hosted by Springfield Avenue Partnership and presented by Walgreens and Investors Bank. 

Stage One, located near Prospect Street, will feature live performances by the following artists:

12 noon: 5 Cent Philosophers

1:15 pm: Joe Taino Blues Trio

2:30 pm: Bigger Thomas 

4:00 pm: James Lockhart and Corner Pockit

Performances at Stage Two, located near Princeton Street, will include:

12:30-1:00 pm: the {sma} project      

1:00-1:20 pm: Blue Life Demonstration

1:30-1:50 pm: LaChaney Dance and Music Academy

2:00-2:30 pm: the {sma} project

2:40-3:00 pm: Inspirational Dance

3:10-3:20 pm: ATA Martial Arts

3:30-4:10 pm: Goldrush

4:20-4:30 pm:  Shakti Kid Yoga Demonstration

4:30-4:40 pm: Lee Gar Lun Wing Chun Kung Fu Demonstration 

The musical performances are being sponsored by Le Petit Academy, Tutor Doctor, Our Gang Travel, Park Wood Diner, Puppy Love, Parteaz, Meineke Car Care Center, Hair Chalet and Valley National Bank. 

In addition to great music, MayFest will feature a variety of events and activities sponsored by businesses located in Maplewood’s Springfield Avenue District.  Highlights will include a Petting Zoo & Pony Rides sponsored by DCH Audi, a variety of events sponsored by Overlook Medical Center, Daibes Enterprises and PSE&G, children’s rides sponsored by the Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation, Waste Industries and Harrington Moving & Storage. Event wristbands are being sponsored by the Woolley Fuel Co. 

Other family-friendly activities will include:

• A Fashion Show presented by Top Hat and Tails from 12:00 -12:30 pm in front of the store at 1856 Springfield Avenue. 
• The 1978 Arts Center presents an outdoor event requiring lots of participants from 2:00 – 5:00 pm. The Quarter Mile ‘steam roller print’ project, called “A Family Affair,” debuted on May 5^th. It was conceived, organized and directed by artist and printmaker Stephen McKenzie and executed by numerous artist assistants and participants as they sought to create the largest work of printmaking art ever created. Aside from its record-breaking goal, the project represents a celebration of community and collaborative printmaking and demonstrates that traditional artistic mediums remain vibrant and alive.  
• Tours of Puppy Love’s newly renovated and expanded dog grooming and day care facility, plus sales of animal merchandise including homemade, freshly baked dog biscuits, and a children’s craft project.
• Parteaz will put your hair into a fun style and spray with a rainbow of colors and glitter!
• Take a picture of you and your friends and family at the event and save it in a special "MayFest" frame. 
• Photographers from IncPics will roam the festival to take photos of people and families which can be purchased to take home in a special frame envelope. They will also have a photo booth that will send your photos to your email.  
• LaChaney’s Dance & Music Academy will sponsor a balloon sculpture artist who will be stationed at their table from 1-4pm; students will perform a demonstration at Stage Two as well. 

Additionally, other district businesses will be selling and or providing information about their products and services including Pro Elite Nutrition, Astah’s Fine Art Gallery, Fringe Salon, Shakti Yoga, Trimarco Jewelers, Inspirational Dance and new district additions The Grill Shack and Pimento Grill.

Add the Classic Car Show with entrants competing for top prizes, vendors, artists, crafters and civic associations, plus great food representing the diverse community that lives, works, shops and dines along Springfield Avenue and it’s easy to understand why MayFest has become one of Maplewood’s largest and most anticipated community events. 

For more MayFest information visit Springfield Avenue Partnership’s web site, SpringfieldAvenue.com, or the Partnership’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/Springfield-Avenue-Partnership.