Ben Franklin once said that ‘beer is proof that God loves us.’
Sorry, Ben, THIS is proof that God loves — rock ‘n’ roll, food trucks, pro wrestling and, yes beer.
The first, Food Truck & Rock Carnival (Rock Carnival for short) will take place on the weekend of September 18-20 at Oakridge Park in Clark, New Jersey. (The venue is a massive former golf club that used to hold the Union County Music Fest, an extremely popular, but short-lived music fest from the mid-00s.)
The Music:
Oh, this is going to be good. The festival will feature a collection of iconic hard rock bands, classic 80s metal bands, a stage littered with tribute bands, and a stage honoring of New Jersey’s most beloved former music halls, The Birch Hill.
On September 19th Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators will be headlining. Performing with the legendary guitarist on this day will be Puddle of Mudd, Skid Row, Otherwise, Faster Pussycat, KIX, along with more bands to be announced, including what looks like one more huge name. (Updated June 23, 2015) Three Days Grace, Black Label Society, Sevendust, King’s X, Stephen Pearcy of Ratt, former GNR guitarist Gilby Clarke and local favorites Edgar Cayce have been added.
On September 20th the kings of bad assery, Godsmack will headline while Stone Temple Pilots, Skillet, Lita Ford, L.A. Guns, and Slaughter round out the bill. Again, more bands to be announced, including what looks like one more huge name. (Updated June 23, 2015) Just added to the show will be: Clutch, Anthrax, Crobot, Prophet, Like a Storm and ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven’ with Eddie Trunk.
A Tribute Bands Music Stage in the free carnival area will include performances by renowned Tool cover band Schism, Rage Against the Machine cover band RATM2, Queen cover band Almost Queen, Ozzy Osbourne cover band Ozzmosis, Judas Priest female cover group Judas Priestess, Journey cover band Voyage, and more to be announced.
FOOD TRUCKS & BEER GARDENS:
There will a food truck competition running throughout the weekend in conjunction with the New Jersey Food Truck Association. The competition will be host by a to-be-announced celebrity chef.
Confirmed, delicious food trucks include Aroy-D the Thai Elephant, The French Quarter, Luke’s Lobster, Pizza Vita, Dark Side of the Moo, The Cow and the Curd, Amanda Bananas, Falafull Gourmet, Jersey Johnnies, Oink n Moo, The Original Soupman, The Outslider, Cupcake Carnivale, Fork in the Road, Prime Kutz, Waffles de Lys, Rockland Roots.
The festival has partnered up with micro-breweries to offer craft beers from around the country. The line-up will be announced soon. Remember, 21+ (with ID) for this area only.
PRO WRESTLING
Yes, there will be wrestling. The Skate & Surf Festival (the sister fest of Rock Carnival) proved that pro wrestling at a music fest can work. This show, produced by GCW Pro Wrestling will bring WWE Legends, along with current indie wrestlers battling for the ‘Rock Carnival Championship Title.’
For constantly updated information and tickets + VIP packages, please visit TheRockCarnival.com.
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Bill Bodkin is the Owner, Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of Pop-Break. Most importantly, however, he is the proud father of a beautiful daughter, Sophie. He is beyond excited that Pop-Break will be six years old in 2015 as this site has come a long, long way from the day he launched in it in his bachelor pad at the Jersey Shore. He can be read every Monday for the Happy Mondays Interview Series as well as his weekly reviews on Law & Order: SVU, Mad Men and Hannibal. His goal, once again, is to write 500 stories this year (a goal he accomplished in 2014). He is a graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in Journalism & English. Follow him on Twitter: @PopBreakDotCom
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