SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19
1:00 - 9:00 p.m.
STAGE AND EVENT SCHEDULE
ARTISTS AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
1:00 LOWER FORGE TRIVIA OPENS (PERSONAL DEVICES)
1:00 SOUTH JERSEY POPS BRASS BAND (ARCHER & GREINER MUSIK GARTEN STAGE)
1:10 THE BIG TRIP (CORNERSTONE PEO MAIN STAGE)
1:45 MEKKILYNN (ARCHER & GREINER MUSIK GARTEN GAZEBO)
1:55 MAGNIFY BREWING BRATWURST EATING CONTEST (COMPETITION STAGE)
2:10 QUAKER CITY STRING BAND (ARCHER & GREINER MUSIK GARTEN STAGE)
2:20 POLAROID FADE (MAIN)
3:05 KING'S ROAD STEINHOLDING (COMPETITION STAGE)
3:10 SONGWRITERS ROUND ft. THE LEO TRIO (ARCHER & GREINER MUSIK GARTEN GAZEBO)
3:30 GAB CINQUE BAND (CORNERSTONE PEO MAIN STAGE)
4:15 KING'S ROAD STEINHOLDING CONTEST (COMPETITION STAGE)
4:25 POLKADELPHIA (ARCHER & GREINER MUSIK GARTEN STAGE)
4:25 GERMAN DANCE DEMONSTRATION (ARCHER & GREINER MUSIK GARTEN STAGE)
4:45 JAKE THISTLE (CORNERSTONE PEO MAIN STAGE)
5:10 GERMAN DANCE DEMONSTRATION (ARCHER & GREINER MUSIK GARTEN GAZEBO)
5:35 YOUR FRIEND RACHEL (ARCHER & GREINER MUSIK GARTEN STAGE)
6:00 POLKADELPHIA (TAUNTON FORGE LIQUORS BEER TENT)
6:00 GERMAN DANCE DEMONSTRATION (TAUNTON FORGE LIQUORS BEER TENT)
6:20 VINCENT RANDAZZO (ARCHER & GREINER MUSIK GARTEN GAZEBO)
6:30 JUTAUN (CORNERSTONE PEO MAIN STAGE)
6:50 KUF KNOTZ & CHRISTINE ELISE (ARCHER & GREINER MUSIK GARTEN STAGE)
7:40 POLKADELPHIA (TAUNTON FORGE LIQUORS BEER TENT)
7:50 DAYRIT (ARCHER & GREINER MUSIK GARTEN GAZEBO)
8:10 MY FUNKY BRETHREN (CORNERSTONE PEO MAIN STAGE)
8:15 SEEMS LIKE TUESDAY (ARCHER & GREINER MUSIK GARTEN STAGE)
JUTAUN
CORNERSTONE PEO MAIN STAGE
6:30 - 7:40
JUTAUN is a versatile, genre-defying band originally from the Philadelphia and South Jersey area, known for their lush vocal harmonies and seamless blend of R&B, rock, pop, and reggae. Formed by high school friends—including core members Jake Evans, James Evans, and Samoeun Cheng—the group has built a rich discography featuring uplifting anthems and acclaimed projects like their album The Art of Breaking Through Shadows. Widely recognized for their soul-stirring live performances, they have been Freddie Jackson’s touring band for nearly a decade, earned placement on the Billboard AAA chart, and had their dynamic sound featured across major networks like Netflix and MTV.
JAKE
THISTLE
CORNERSTONE PEO MAIN STAGE
4:45 - 6:00
Jake Thistle has been chasing songs for as long as he can remember. Well before albums, tours, or national television, there was a three-year-old boy glued to a Super Bowl halftime show, mesmerized not by spectacle, but by the simple power of a guitar and a story. Now 21, Thistle is stepping into a wider frame, appearing on the 2026 season of American Idol while releasing his second full-length record – the latest chapter in a story nearly two decades in the making, now unfolding on the public stage.
The groundwork was laid early: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers set the wheels in motion, sparking a deep love for classic rock music first as a wide-eyed fan, and soon after as a young musician determined to understand how those songs were built. By age nine, Thistle was discovering that spark in himself. Six months after picking up the guitar, he played his first open mic night in New Jersey, a foothold that soon turned into a steady run of showcases, restaurant sets, and street-corner performances where he learned his craft in real time. As the rooms grew, so did his commitment to writing songs of his own – and when the pandemic brought live music to a halt, he turned inward. Taking the downtime as an opportunity to focus, Thistle self-produced and self-released his debut album, Down the Line, in late 2020. The record marked a turning point for his self-image: No longer was he just a young performer cutting his teeth on stage, but a songwriter stepping forward with his own body of work.
Today, Jake Thistle stands at a rare intersection: Young enough to still be discovering new edges of his sound, yet seasoned enough to know exactly what he values. He’s no longer the kid at the open mic proving he belongs, nor the bedroom producer learning the ropes; he’s an artist with a clear north star. Each release pushes further outward while cutting to the core of who he is: A storyteller with an ear for melody and a performer who understands the weight of a stage.
If the past two decades were about absorption and apprenticeship, this next chapter is about authorship. Thistle isn’t chasing trends; he’s building a body of work that can stand in conversation with the songwriters who first captivated him. It’s about making records that last, growing into the stages he once watched from afar, and doing it all without losing the sincerity that made him pick up a guitar in the first place.
MUMMERS PARADE CHAMPIONS
quaker city string band
A&G Musik Garten Stage
2:10-3:10
The Quaker City String Band is a celebrated institution of the Philadelphia Mummers Parade, participating on New Year's Day since 1920. Known for its elaborate costumes, precision routines, and musical performances, the award-winning organization has also performed internationally, bringing its signature brass and banjo sounds across the globe.
the gab cinque band
CORNERSTONE PEO MAIN STAGE
3:30-4:15
Hailing from the Jersey Shore, The Gab Cinque Band is a dynamic, five-piece rock group spearheaded by charismatic 20-something frontwoman Gab Cinque. Known for her powerhouse vocals and painting-inspired lyrics, Cinque leads a tight ensemble featuring Fran O'Brien (guitar/keys), Matt Stanley (guitar), Aaron Manzo (bass), and Anthony Flora (drums). Don't miss this set of original music from one of the shore's hottest bands.
polaroid fade
CORNERSTONE PEO MAIN STAGE
2:20-3:05
Polaroid Fade is an emerging South Jersey dream-pop and jangle-pop band fronted by singer-songwriter Nicoletta Giuliani. Formed during the pandemic, the band is known for their intoxicating, late-80s/early-90s indie rock sound heavily influenced by bands like The Smiths, The Sundays, and The Ocean Blue. They blend soaring, nostalgic vocals with intricate guitar textures and driving, post-punk rhythms, perfectly capturing the youthful, bittersweet energy of coming of age.
my funky brethren
CORNERSTONE PEO MAIN STAGE
8:10-9:00
My Funky Brethren is a dynamic, Philadelphia-based live music collective dedicated to spreading love and positivity through their electrifying, groove-heavy sound. Known for their massive, horn-laden live performances, the group blends traditional funk with soul and R&B, delivering high-energy shows that frequently headline local venues. A Medford Oktoberfest favorite not to be missed.
A&G MUSIK GARTEN STAGE 4:25-5:15
TFL BEER TENT 6:00-6:30, 7:40-8:10
polkadelphia
Based in Philadelphia, Polkadelphia is a high-energy brass and accordion group. Described as "not your ordinary oompah band", they blend traditional German and Polish favorites with upbeat, polkafied covers of modern rock and pop icons like The Beatles, Metallica, and Radiohead.
NASHVILLE-STYLE SONGWRITERS' ROUND
ft. THE LEO TRIO (alone and together)
ARCHER & GREINER MUSIK GAZEBO 3:10-4:25
SOFIA CAMPOAMOR
Sofía Campoamor is a Brooklyn-based indie folk songwriter whose music blends dreamy acoustic soundscapes with incisive lyricism. Her debut album, if you knew, i couldn’t tell, explores themes of love, longing, and friendship, while her second project, with all the lights on, delves into intimacy, mortality, queerness, and chronic illness. Known for her wit and vulnerability, Sofia has also released songs inspired by her Wordle boards.
LIZZY HILLIARD
Lizzy Hilliard is an NYC-based singer-songwriter, composer, and multi-hyphenate artist who blends warm guitar-driven melodies with sincere vocals and lyrics rich in evocative imagery, whimsy, and a touch of fantasy, often oscillating between candid observation and wistful reflection. Hilliard’s music is best known for her three-volume album anthology growth, a self-discovery journey in the wake of newfound independence. Her latest release, Growth: The Shoebox Sessions, reimagines these songs in intimate, live settings.
CATHERINE CERISE
NYC songwriter Catherine Cerise is an accomplished and dynamic performer. Catherine Cerise has released a variety of original tracks, including Don't Hide Behind the Sky, Sleepaway, Five Years, Hitch, Bad To Me, The Lift, Before I Go, and Nothing on My Mind, in addition to her work with the Cerise Sisters.
KUF KNOTZ & CHRISTINE ELISE
ARCHER & GREINER MUSIK GARTEN STAGE 6:50-7:50
Kuf Knotz and Christine Elise are an innovative, genre-blending musical duo that bridges the worlds of hip-hop poetry and classical harp traditions. Formed in 2018, the project pairs the positive, soulful lyrical styling of Philadelphia producer/MC Kuf Knotz with the ethereal vocals, piano, and melodic harp of classically trained musician Christine Elise. Together, they build a hypnotic sonic landscape by fusing lo-fi and 90s-era boom bap beats with lush, classical instrumentation.
SEEMS LIKE TUESDAY
ARCHER & GREINER MUSIK GARTEN STAGE 8:15-9:00
Founded in June 2022, Seems Like Tuesday is an original rock band based out of Philadelphia and New Jersey. Their eclectic songwriting styles, musical versatility, and multiple vocalists have left audiences at their live shows blown away by their powerful and energetic performances. The band’s music has been categorized as 90’s pop rock, adult alternative, classic rock, and some say they even hear a touch of country.
YOUR FRIEND RACHEL
ARCHER & GREINER MUSIK GARTEN STAGE 5:35-6:20
Your Friend Rachel is the exciting new project from Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Rachel Weisbart. Hear songs from the soon to be released debut album Silly Little Human that explores stories both deeply personal and introspective about our roles in the world. Backed by a full band, including her spouse Pat Oberstaedt and best friend Patty Irwin, this will be a set not to miss.
VINCENT RANDAZZO
ARCHER & GREINER MUSIK GAZEBO 6:20-6:50
Vincent Randazzo is a multi-talented Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter, and producer, who seamlessly blends storytelling across music and theatre. Known for their evocative indie folk-rock sound, they craft highly lyrical, emotionally resonant tracks that feature acoustic arrangements and deep personal perspective. This special set will showcase Vincent's soon-to-be-released new material.
MEKKILYNN
ARCHER & GREINER MUSIK GAZEBO 1:45-2:10
Washington D.C.-based singer-songwriter Mekkilyn returns to bring her soprano vocals and soulful lyrics to the Gazebo Stage on Saturday. Her music stems from deeply personal experiences and finds an uplifting message that resonates across generations of listeners.
DAYRIT
ARCHER & GREINER MUSIK GAZEBO 7:50-8:15
Dayrit is a NYC artist who dares to ask "what if Joe Cocker and Stevie Wonder decided to write Southern/Folk Rock?" Originally hailing from Alabama, the multi-instrumentalist has performed throughout NYC, including Haswell Green's, Bar Nine, Mercury Lounge, and Arlene's Grocery.
SOUTH JERSEY POPS BRASS BAND
ARCHER & GREINER MUSIK GARTEN STAGE 1:00-1:45
Founded in 1969, the South Jersey Pops is based in Burlington County, New Jersey. Comprised of professional and volunteer instrumentalists, the orchestra brings stylistic musical entertainment to South Jersey. This special brass ensemble performance is sure to delight audiences of all ages!
KING'S ROAD STEINHOLDING CONTEST
COMPETITION STAGE 3:05, 4:15
King's Road Brewing Company presents its annual steinholding competition, a Bavarian test of strength that has become a beloved tradition at Medford Oktoberfest. Register on site. $20 per person and you keep the stein and the beer. Sanctioned by the US Steinholding Association, the best men's and women's times from the weekend qualify for the New Jersey State Finals at the 2026 Medford Fall Festival! Space limited.
MAGNIFY BRATWURST EATING CONTEST
COMPETITION STAGE 1:55
Magnify Brewing Company presents its annual "celebrity" bratwurst eating competition for charity. Local "celebrities" will compete to see who can eat a single bratwurst (loaded with the works!) the fastest. The winner will receive the adoration of the crowd, a Magnify prize pack, and a donation to a local charity.
GERMAN DANCE DEMONSTRATION
ARCHER & GREINER MUSIK GARTEN STAGE 4:25
ARCHER & GREINER MUSIK GAZEBO 5:10
TAUNTON FORGE LIQUORS BEER TENT 6:00
Students from Today's Dance Center in Medford will demonstrate a traditional German folk dance routine and provide a lesson during the 5:10 performance so you can join in as well! Don't miss these students as they show off their skills throughout the festival grounds.
