The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Dozens of East Millstone residents and sponsors of the annual Canal Fest gathered at a Canal Road residence for barbecue, beer and bluegrass May 8.
The event was the inaugural “Ramble in the Barn,” an event designed as a fundraiser for Canal Fest, which, in turn, is a fundraiser for the Franklin Township Food Bank.
The night was organized by village resident Michael Steinbruck, and took place in the back yard of Patsy Love and Greg Gilfeather’s home.
The weather cooperated, so most of the activity actually occurred outside of the couple’s barn. Music was provided by the Brummy Brothers, a New Jersey band featuring township resident Andrew Morris.
Steinbruck said the event was held as a way to say thanks to major Canal Fest sponsors, a drive to get more Canal Fest sponsors and “a night for people to come here together as a community.”
The $45 ticket included a meal from the Oink & Moo BBQ food truck from Somerset and beverages. Steinbruck said $25 from each ticket went to the Canal Fest, qualifying the ticket holder as a Canal fest community sponsor.
Suydam Farms donated a keg of Irish Red beer, and Cedar Grove Liquors sold the organizers two cases of wine at cost, Steinbruck said. John Baker, a Cedar Grove Liquors employee, donated cash to help defray the cost of the wine, he said.
“The big thing about Canal Fest is it’s community driven, it’s community run,” Steinbruck said. “It’s volunteers. We have other business sponsors, but the heart of Canal Fest is it’s alwys been a community effort.”
“We’ve got our band, we’ve got our neighbors, people donated tables and chairs,” he said. “It’s like a mini Canal Fest.”
Canal Fest is set for Oct. 17.
2015 Ramble in the Barn
