If the Guinness World Records people had a category for most weather apps, Tom Werder might top the list.
But it looks like the executive director of Morris Arts can leave his smartphone at home for Sunday’s Giralda Music & Arts Festival at Giralda Farms on the Madison/Chatham border.
“The weather forecast is spectacular,” Werder said, looking about as happy as a guy can be in the final days before a production with scores of moving parts.
Conductor Sameer Patel is scheduled to lead the New Jersey Symphony in a mix of classical favorites, movie themes and show tunes on the rolling Giralda lawn. Beach chairs, blankets and themed picnics will be the order of the day for this 34th annual fundraiser for Morris Arts.
In some years, the runup to Giralda has kept Werder ping-ponging anxiously among his apps, watching for thunderstorms and sweating whether to move everything indoors.
As of Thursday, however, the National Weather Service was predicting sunshine, with a very comfortable high of 81 degrees, for Sunday, June 25, 2017. The festival’s backup venue, Mennen Arena in Morris Township, can rest easy.
Gates at Giralda open at 4 pm, and the concert starts at 6. People can browse and buy art from 38 vendors–double the number from last year–and picnic on the lawn.
Prizes are awarded to the most creative picnic themes. A pirogi truck is new this year; a vintage ice cream truck is returning, along with activities for children.
“I love how this brings the community together around the arts,” said Werder. “It’s a really bucolic setting. I love when the sun’s going down, and kids are running around in the meadow, and everyone’s there to enjoy this event.”
Werder is hoping the festival will top last year’s attendance of close to 2,000 people. He said the afternoon could net up to $60,000 to help his nonprofit continue supporting the arts and educational programs across Morris County.
Advance tickets are $15 for adults (over 12); $4 for children, and free for kids under 4. They can be purchased online or at Kings Food Markets (Morristown and Chatham), Gary’s Wine and Marketplace (Madison) or by calling Morris Arts (973) 285-5115, x15.
Those discount prices are offered through Saturday evening at midnight. At the gate, tickets are $20 / $5 / free for kids under 4.
The site has plenty of parking, and 30 volunteers will be there to help, Werder said.
Sunday’s program includes selections from Dvorák, Grofé, Price and Copeland, and from The Music Man, Oklahoma!, Chicago and Beauty and the Beast. Medleys will salute Hollywood, and our Armed Forces.
Giralda Farms is at Dodge Drive/Madison Ave. (Rt. 124) in Madison.
