Thousands of community members of all ages flocked to Wells Mills County Park in Waretown on Saturday, Oct. 10 for a day of live music, crafters, demonstrations and more, celebrating the culture, industry, and ecology of the Pine Barrens.
“It’s a low-key, family fun event where we touch on everything that makes the Pine Barrens unique,” coordinator Amanda Truhan said of the 32nd annual Pine Barrens Jamboree.
“This part of the park itself is Ocean County’s largest park, so we have the most miles of trails and the most acreage, and it is just nice to get people out here to learn this gem of a park is here.”
The first Pine Barrens Jamboree was held in early October 1995. According to a flyer at the event, that year more than 5,000 people attended. Since then, it has continuously grown as patrons continue to enjoy “Piney” music, shopping handmade crafts, food, games and more.
“We have a little bit of something for everybody,” Truhan said. “It’s a busy time. In the fall there are so many things to do, so I am just grateful to everybody who came out here to celebrate with us.
“I am happy we have such a large crowd. This show is deserving because it is so low-key and such an intimate show to showcase what the Pine Barrens has to offer. Today has turned out perfectly; we couldn’t have asked for a better day.”
Throughout history, the Pine Barrens has been dependent upon for the natural resources available within them.
Pines have been used for charcoal making, cedar for lumber, and the naturally formed bog iron melted down for stove pipes and, later, cannons and cannonballs. The land itself produced an abundance of blueberries and cranberries.
The vast forest of pine, oak and cedar is the largest tract of open space on the mid-Atlantic coast, according to the flyer.
“This piece of property dates back to the pre-Revolutionary War, so it’s fun to get people out here to learn the value of the Pine Barrens and how critical it was in the development of the area,” Truhan said.
Folk duo Dirthog Newton was one of multiple musical performances organized by Albert Hall.
During the Oct. 10 event, dozens of vendors lined the Wells Mills Park walkways and open grass area, with many more shaded under a huge tent. Attendees got to hear about the work of such organizations as War at the Shore, Save Barnegat Bay and the Pinelands Antique Engine Association.
Vendors sold handcrafted goods, including natural soy wax candles, homemade jams and jellies, shell crafts and custom knives, and even offered insight into tasks such as learning how to make a walking stick.
Several authors were also on site promoting and discussing their books that highlight different areas of Pine Barrens history, including Privateers & Pine Robbers by Robert Cobb and New Jersey’s Lost Piney Culture by William J. Lewis.
“My brother saw it on Facebook, and he knows that I do craft shows, and he didn’t know anything about it, so I called Amanda and asked about it, and I sent some pictures of my work, and she invited me to be in the show,” Ed ‘Sonny” Jones of Sonny Jones Woodturner said. “I’m that old guy that is in the shop every day making stuff. I would say it’s a hobby, but it’s more a passion.”
As he spoke with attendees about his process of bowl turning and finishing and all he had on display, Jones said the Pines Barrens Jamboree has easily become a favorite event for him.
“It’s a great show,” he said. “I do six shows a year, and this could be one of my favorites; I really like it a lot. I only wish I had helpers so I could walk around and see everything. If I weren’t a vendor, I would just come here and enjoy this.
“I can see, especially today, how people, more so younger people now, are starting to get into the making of things; it’s cool. People are starting to realize how important it is.”
Representatives from Ocean County departments and other organizations distributed flyers and pamphlets, and offered giveaways highlighting their services, including the Department of Planning, Master Composter Program, Mosquito Control, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, the Southern Ocean Birding Group, and many more.
“I keep bees here, and all the honey I have here today is all completely local,” Dan Lieter of D&N Apiaries said. “Love the event, love the people. I have been doing this for five years or so, and it’s just a wonderful event, and I love it here and love the Pinelands area.
“The preservation of what we have is a struggle every year, so I’m glad to be a part of this and part of helping people learn the importance of this space.”
Throughout the day, attendees also got to participate in nature and history walks and enjoyed learning about the local beehives and monarch butterflies. There were Lenape demonstrations promoting Lenape awareness and supporting tribal youth. Cedarview Cabin was open for tours, and attendees could enjoy kayaking on the lake.
For youngsters, face painting and pumpkin painting were part of the fun, and many were seen at the tent for the Ocean County 4-H Club, which came with critter friends.
“The first year I did it, it was pouring rain; I didn’t even have a tent at that time,” recalled Ellenmarie Gauss of Custom Creations by Ellenmarie, which sold fudge, Belgian chocolate pretzel rods, crumb cake, apple crumb pie and more. “Now I’m indoors; this is my spot, and people look for me.
“I just love it. It is just a nice day to sit down and enjoy the music and have fun and a good time. I love the town; it’s a great place to live.
“If you want to be a vendor, you have to have something you are making or related to the Pine Barrens area, and there are some people I see today who I haven’t seen before, so everyone is enjoying, and whether you are making $20 or $60, it’s just nice to engage people and be with people.”
Matthew Halpin, with CMH Designs, which featured an array of hand-painted ornaments, signs and more, echoed sentiments shared throughout the day.
“It has been a really good day. Everyone seems to have been enjoying themselves, and the weather is great,” he said. “It’s very important to continue this event and have everybody come see the park and just continue learning about such a historical site.
“To be able to have people come here and sell their wares and connect with local people is incredible. It’s nice to see everyone come together and hang out on a historical day like today.”
Everyone has a good time at the Jamboree, even the Pine Barrens’ most infamous resident: the Jersey Devil himself.
Music has been synonymous with the Pine Barrens for decades. Across the street from Wells Mills Park, brothers Joe and George Albert began Saturday night jams at their cabin, lovingly called “Old Home Place.” The jams’ popularity grew, and today the tradition continues at Albert Music Hall in Waretown, where musicians come to play and enjoy authentic “Piney” music and song.
The musical lineup Saturday, presented by the Pinelands Cultural Society and Albert Music Hall, included James Dalton, Dirthog Newton, Bugsy Tomes, Anthony West, L & B Line, Acoustic Rosewood and Billy T Midnight.
“I grew up here, and I think it’s great that they are here bringing awareness of the Pine Barrens area to families and children,” Laura Wilbert, mother of three, said of the annual event. “All this stuff teaches them the importance of respecting nature and the world around them. Without that, this community wouldn’t be what it is.
“We are also supporting local businesses here, too, so I enjoy coming out, showing support and teaching my kids everything they have to offer. We come out almost every year. You meet new people and a lot of like-minded people, too, so it’s nice.”
