Merchantville Music Fest

Introducing local bands to the community

New Jersey natives and those visiting the area recently got to enjoy another year of local talent at the 9th annual Merchantville Music Fest on September 24th. It was a day filled with fun and entertainment, including some great eats from food trucks like Latin Bites, Favoretto Foods and Reds Rolling Restaurant. There was also a car show for attendees to enjoy a look at some tuned up vehicles. And of course, there was the main attraction of the day, the musicians.

This year some of the featured performers included Candy Volcano, Buddy Katz and 16-year-old musician Camille K. who has made an appearance on America’s Got Talent.

As attendees departed at the end of the night, many were already eagerly anticipating the event’s 10th anniversary next year. But what people might not realize is, preparations for the 10th Music Fest will already be starting soon enough. Matt Sutin, one of the co-chairs of the event, explained how much preparation goes into the show, and what has inspired him to take up such an active role in Merchantville.

Sutin’s major responsibility for the show’s success is handling the fundraising, which he explains takes most of the year. “Starting in late February, early March,

I put together an advertising packet and

I send it out to local businesses,” he said.

“I usually send an initial email, a month after that I send a follow up, a month after that send a follow up. And I keep working that way until we reach a goal that is sustainable.”

The Sutin’s bought their home in

Merchantville in late 2017 but did not move in until early 2018 due to the home being historic and in need of many repairs and renovations.

“We have a 110-year-old home that we bought in, I wouldn’t say terrible shape, I

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MUSIC continued from page 12 like to refer to it as a home that was wellloved but not kept up,” said Sutin. “It wasn’t a whole house renovation, but every room was touched. Whether it was paint or flooring, or a bathroom renovation. We gutted the kitchen, walls, ceilings and floors.”

Now, even at home, the Sutin’s still have a lot on their plate, especially with two young children. Sutin says the home still needs a lot more work, but still needs a lot more work, but it is at the point now where it is at the point now where they can stop to enjoy everythey can stop to enjoy everything and take on new small thing and take on new small projects at their leisure. He finds projects at their leisure. He finds all the effort of owning a historic home worth it, especially for the fascinating process of seeing how much the previous owners did. He shared that they have even been able to track down some of the prior owners and get in touch with them to discuss the home.

In 2018, upon learning of Music Fest, Sutin knew he wanted to get involved. At the time it was being spear-headed by Ryan Middleton, who allowed Sutin to take part in the 2019 show as a performer. However, Middleton wanted to step down, so Sutin, along with Charlene Chamberlain and Jon Hoffmann stepped up and took charge in 2020. Unfortunately, that lined them up for the challenge of running a show during the height of COVID. Despite both Sutin and Hoffman being very new to the project, Chamberlain had been involved for quite a while already and helped get them on their feet.

“Charlene has been helping with Music Fest for many years in the town,” said Sutin. “And then Jon and I came aboard in 2019, just helping out with Ryan Middleton. And then 2020 came, we did a virtual Music Fest.”

The virtual show was a new experience for everyone, as they could not gather physically due to health restrictions. Their virtual event featured pre-recorded performances from bands and was broadcast via Facebook Live and YouTube. The virtual show also featured a pre-recorded statement from Merchantville’s mayor.

While they were proud of what they were able to accomplish virtually, Sutin and his fellow co-chairs were excited to get back to doing things live and in person last year.

Music Fest has attracted around as many as a thousand attendees, and Sutin loves helping local artists get their names out there.

“We definitely like to support the local bands. People who have either direct ties to Merchantville or nearby towns.” However, he adds that nobody is expected to do this for free. “We pay all our bands too. I know that some local music fests don’t pay bands. They ask bands to play for exposure or volunteer. We don’t do that. We believe strongly that artists should be paid for their work. So that’s where the majority of our funds go.”

Sutin is very active in the Merchantville community in general, not just with Music Fest. Back in June, Sutin, his wife (who happened to be pregnant at the time), Hoffmann and Chamberlain all helped out to put on the Merchantville Gala, which had a roaring twenties theme this year.

There doesn’t look to be much idle time in Sutin’s future since preparation for the 10th Music Fest will start soon. He acknowledges how much work the event is for him, Chamberlain and the event is for him, Chamberlain and Hoffmann, saying that if even one of them were not involved, major pieces would fall apart. Ultimately, this is a role that Sutin gladly takes on.

“It’s a lot of work and it’s not just a day of work like a lot of other events. We’ll finish the 2022 year, have a meeting, submit for a date for 2023 and start all over again. I like that I can be part of such a great event for the town.” 

Photos courtesy Facebook Previous Merchantville Music Fest.