WARETOWN – The sound of clogging shoes striking a concrete floor set the rhythm for a day of celebration at the Third Annual Pinelands Heritage and Americana Fest.
The back lot of Albert Music Hall became a stage for local talent and tradition, with families unfolding lawn chairs to settle in for an afternoon of music, culture, and community. Dozens of tents lined the grounds, each one filled with artisans, authors, and historical societies sharing the stories and spirit of the Pinelands. Admission was free, but the quality of entertainment and craftsmanship rivaled ticketed shows.
“This is our way of saying thank you back to the community,” explained Danielle Marrone, president of the Pinelands Cultural Society. “This was our third festival and our biggest event yet, with over 42 vendors. We had artisans, authors and historical societies join us this year.”
Marrone also heads up Albert Music Hall and is a well-respected musician who performs under the stage name “Redbird Flying Solo.” She said the music lineup added a powerful dimension to the festival, weaving together tradition and fresh voices in a way that resonated with every audience member.
The Burlington County 4-H Cloggers opened with high-energy footwork that immediately drew cheers. Anthony² followed with their upbeat country duo, setting a joyful tone. The crowd was then introduced to two festival debuts. Folk-country singer-songwriter Amanda Penecale and folk, Americana artist Johnny Zarfati each offered sounds that blended the best of modern influences with deep traditional roots.
Returning favorites Jackson Pines delivered their signature mix of revived local traditional tunes and original folk songs. Closing out the outdoor performances, Marrone said Burnt Tavern led festival goers to the front of Albert Music Hall in a musical parade to kick off the indoor festivities.
Inside, the Hall’s main building came alive with six more sets of music, ensuring the festival’s soundtrack carried well into the evening.
Unique Talents
The tents showcased a dazzling variety of crafts, each representing the skill and creativity of local artisans.
One display featured hand-carved walking sticks and kitchen pieces so finely crafted that festivalgoers paused to run their hands along the polished wood. “Everything is handmade from all different exotic woods and local woods that I find,” said artisan John Kraft of Egg Harbor Township.
A retired chef, Kraft has been working with wood for more than 30 years. “This was my hobby, my happy place,” he shared. “Some of the fancier color woods I actually order. Others, I’ve found lying along the road.”
Waretown resident Brian Hansonen showed off large slabs of raw wood, each piece revealing swirls of grain and character unique to the Pine Barrens. “You can make anything out of it,” he said, motioning to the cut slabs. “Bar tables, furniture, whatever you imagine. If somebody cuts a tree down and doesn’t want it, I’ll take it.”
Decoy carver Will Hammarstrom, another Waretown native, also connected his craft to the region’s traditions. “My dad was a boat builder,” he explained. “I started making decoys years ago, and when I couldn’t use the scraps for ducks, I turned them into something else, with nothing going to waste.”
Demonstrating his belief that every scrap could be given new purpose, Hammarstrom showed off what seemed like a tray of unshucked clams. On closer inspection, the shells were his handiwork too, carved from scraps of wood left over from his decoys.
Other vendors included Forked River jewelry maker Kat Roe, who smiled as she held up beaded designs dotted with pottery pieces from Italy. “I’ve been doing art my whole life,” she said.
Representatives from the Berkeley Historical Society & Museum, the Waretown Historical Society, and Ocean County Parks and Recreation brought a deeper understanding of the area’s past.
Author William J. Lewis, best known for his Piney Tribe series, had copies of his book on display and offered insight into his own Piney heritage. The Barnegat Friends Meeting House was part of the festival, underscoring the value of faith and tradition within the Pinelands.
Family Fun in the Pines
Children darted between booths on a scavenger hunt, coloring sheets in hand, and took breaks for face painting or cornhole. And while the games drew giggles, the biggest smiles came from the alpaca pen. The gentle animals, brought in by “Out of Sight Alpacas”, quickly became festival darlings.
“They don’t usually do festivals,” Marrone said, “but they came to support us, and people loved them. Everyone was hugging them.”
No festival would be complete without food and the Americana theme was full on at this event. It was down to the basics with hamburgers, hot dogs and chips. A special sweet was a cake labeled quite simply the “Kitchen Sink.”
By day’s end, families carried home treasures, whether it was a handcrafted walking stick, a signed book, or simply the memory of music echoing through the Pines. Vendors packed up with tired smiles, and Albert Hall was already gearing up for another round of music indoors.
