Save the Date: 2nd Annual Rockland-Bergen Music Festival June 27-28 in Tappan

Tickets go on sale March 28 for the second annual Rockland-Bergen Music Festival.

The first drew more than 1,000 attendees. This one will again be held at the historic German Masonic Fairgrounds in Tappan—and it has expanded.

“Last year’s Rockland-Bergen Music Festival was a success on many levels, but most importantly, the folks who came to the festival really enjoyed the atmosphere,” said founder Joe D’Urso. “It was like a big family picnic with some of the country’s best songwriters.

”This year’s edition will be a bigger, better version of last year with 2 full days of music on three stages. This year we have multiple Grammy award winners (Shawn Colvin, Tom Chapin and Joe Grushecky) and a bona fide Rock and Roll Hall of Famer (John Sebastian). Additionally, we have many Light of Day Foundation “family” members (Willie Nile, Garland Jeffreys, John Eddie, James Maddock), acclaimed veteran songwriters (David Johansen, Steve Forbert, Jeffrey Gaines, Aztec Two Step, Guy Davis and Jen Chapin) and many local songwriters/bands from the Rockland and Bergen area.”

Early bird tickets will be available at www.rocklandmusicfestival.com.

Similar to last year, anyone born in the calendar year of 1965 will get in free in celebration of their 50th birthday.

In addition to the two-day festival, D’Urso has added additional festival programming at the Turning Point, The 76 House, Holiday Inn, and Residence Inn following the main events during the day.

As a major proponent of charity and board member of WHYHunger and Light of Day, D’Urso is involving multiple charities in the Rockland-Bergen Music Festival. The Festival will be making donations to each organization for their participation.

“It’s my wish to give festival goers the chance to discover the fantastic organizations that we have in the Rockland-Bergen area as well as getting a chance to bring in organizations that I have been fortunate to work with over the years,” said D’Urso. “For years, I wanted to bring a music festival to the area where I grew and up and still reside, as I always felt this area has been under served when it comes to music and the arts. Rockland County does not have a proper Performing Arts Center like Bergen does. I am hoping the Rockland-Bergen Music Festival is a small ripple in a pond that will keep growing.”