Festival Will Highlight Hillsborough Talents

After four years of growing audiences, the Hillsborough Music Festival is set to become one of the township's signature events. 

And when the first band takes the stage in the parking lot behind the Applebee's Restaurant at 2 p.m. Saturday, look for a "New York-style street festival" that is focused on highlighting Hillsborough musicians, Hillsborough artists and Hillsborough vendors.

"It's going to be a genuine street festival where you can go for a few hours, then five minutes later, you can be home," organizer Donetta Johnson, of Allegra School of Music and Arts, said.

Musical entertainment will run the gamut, but Johnson wants parents to know the show is programmed to be family-friendly, with all of the bands—whether emo-punk-rockers, heavy metal thrashers or rappers—vetted before being approved for the show.

"That's something we wanted right off the bat to make it a community event," she said.

Which is central to the festival's purpose: proceeds from the donations and fees collected (admission is free) will go to My Son Your Daughter, and the Jonah Johnson Scholarship Fund and to further the implementation of anti-suicide/bullying programs in Hillsborough schools.

Jonah Johnson was a rising student at Hillsborough High School until his death several years ago. His death lead Johnson to dedicate the show and much of her efforts to BoroSAFE, the township organization educating teens about suicide and depression.

"Hillsborough is statistically significant in terms of suicide—and this is a good way to start the conversation," she said. "I think people need to understand this is an issue to shed light on and talk about it."

BoreSAFE will be on hand to present information to attendees, discuss the issue of teen suicide and help out with the show. Johnson has also recruited volunteers with the Hillsborough Cultural Arts Commission, one of the sponsors, to aid in stage and crowd management.

Which could be a substantial effort: previous shows have been intentionally held in smaller venues, such as the parking lot at the Triangle Shopping Center or Stop and Shop, as the show grew.

But Johnson feels the time is right to put the Hillsborough Music Festival on the area's "cultural map." She noted the location offers more food and drink choices, will be large enough for several hundred to enjoy without being crowded, while still being small enough where "You can come see your neighbor," she said.

Check back tomorrow for the first in a series on the performers scheduled to play at the Hillsborough Music Festival.