The Appel Farm Arts & Music Center in Elmer will be marking its 65th Anniversary early next month with a weekend-long celebration full of music, art, history, and camping, highlighted by a free public concert harkening back to the storied festivals of the past put on by the organization for more than 20 years.
“Folks often ask, ‘when are the big festivals coming back?’” Appel Farm’s Executive Leader of Infrastructure Dani Cooke said in a news release about the event. “The answer is now. Few places in Southern New Jersey have stages like ours or the history of performers who have filled our 110 acres with music.
“We are excited to celebrate that legacy with our 65th Anniversary Festival! Appel Farm is rerooting as a home for large-scale gatherings, where decades of festival joy and creativity can come alive again, surrounded by South Jersey forests, farmland, and community.”
Those past festivals took place at Appel Farm between 1989 and 2012 and brought thousands of visitors to the venue.
The anniversary celebration will take place on the weekend of Nov. 7-9, with the concert beginning at 2 p.m. that Saturday, supported by Philadelphia’s 88.5 WXPN radio station.
“The main, big public-focused event is on Saturday, “ said Appel Farm’s Marketing Director Kat Baer. “It’s the festival concert, and that’s supported by WXPN, which is kind of a big nod back to the festivals from many years ago, because that’s how they always were.”
The concert will be headlined by Philadelphia’s SNACKTIME, along with performances by Minka, The Tisburys, Stereo League, and Polaroid Fade.
Aside from the main concert, the event will feature additional musical performances all weekend, along with arts workshops and activities, exhibits detailing the history of Appel Farm, alumni gatherings, and available camping options.
SNACKTIME
Those looking to camp can stay in a tent or even rent a bunk, if they’re feeling particularly nostalgic.
“We have one group that’s coming as friends from camp, who are, I think, in their 30s now, and they’re all going to come stay in a bunk together,” said Baer.
Founded in 1960 as a summer arts camp by Clare and Albert Appel, Appel Farm has grown into a year-round nonprofit arts center serving thousands across South Jersey.
“We’re trying to make sure that we keep true to our history, where we’re trying to reach as many people as possible, and make it accessible for people to create,” Baer said. “Probably the most unique thing about Claire and Albert was that they really believed that all children had some kind of artistic ability and that it just needed to be supported – to let people explore and grow.”
Throughout the weekend, there will also be an art show entitled “65 Canvases,” featuring pieces created on 8” x 8” canvases by artists associated with Appel Farm. Those works will be on display throughout the weekend and then auctioned off as a fundraiser for the organization.
“It’s been so cool to see all the different mediums from the different artists that have been sending things in,” Baer said.
While the public concert is free on Saturday, there are multiple ticketing options for the other events and days of the celebration, including individual day passes and weekend-long camping passes. They are also charging a fee for parking, which is $15 if purchased in advance or $20 on the day of the event.
For more information about Appel Farm, their 65th Anniversary Weekend, and pricing for the event visit www.appelfarm.org.