Sounds of Scarsdale: The 4th Annual Scarsdale Music Festival

Crowd grooves to the music: Photo credit Jacob SacconeOn Saturday, June 1st, thousands of people gathered with friends and family to soak in the sun, listen to riveting musical performances, and engage in fun carnival games at the 4th annual Scarsdale Music Festival (SMF).

Kicking off at noon, the festival transformed the Scarsdale Village into a bustling hub of entertainment. The usually tranquil streets grew alive with a collage of vibrant sights, sounds, and – undoubtedly – smells.

Indeed, a myriad of food trucks flooded the area. Festival-goers were treated to an impressive array of options for grub, catering to every palate and preference. Patrons could enjoy sweet, indulgent cookies sold by “Crumbl” and “Baked in Color” or savory, cheesy pizza served by “Pizza Vitale Truck” or cool off with a scoop of “Longford's Ice Cream” and a cup of Hawaiian shaved ice. “Poké Motion” was particularly popular, with dozens of people lining up for a bowl of “miso ginger salmon” or “peanut saté chicken."

Inside the tasting tent: Photo credit Jacob Saccone
For the adults, the SMF Grand Tasting Village featured a selection of elite wines and tastes from around the world from Scarsdale’s new wine store Amici dei Vini, beer from the Simple Motive Brewing Co. and more from Dobbs and Bishop Fine Cheese, Meritage, Micheline, Miles the Prince, M.S. Walk, and PopoJito allowing guests 21+ to indulge in a uniquely curated tasting event. Yet, while the food and drinks certainly played an important role in the whole experience, it can’t be the Scarsdale Music Festival without a little bit of music.

“That’s why I’m here,” commented Rhys Mulvey, a freshman at Scarsdale High School. “I’m in a band, so I really like music. You can come here and just hang out with friends – it’s a great environment… more events like this make Scarsdale an even greater place to be.”

Kids enjoyed a carnival for their own – including having their hands painted, navigating an inflatable obstacle course, playing arcade games, a giant Connect 4 and mini hoops.

The Del Bocas: Photo credit Jacob Saccone
This year’s musical lineup, after an extensive selection process from over 70 submitted applicants, featured a diverse range of genres from R&B to opera to acoustic music featured on the all-new acoustic stage. The live performances had the crowd dancing, singing along, and simply enjoying the spirited atmosphere.

In the beginning, bands like “Rennie Pincus & Friends” provided a lively start to the festival. As the afternoon progressed, “The Del Bocas” rocked the crowd with perennial favorites including the Monkees I'm a Believer, Carole King’s, I Feel the Earth Move, Say You Love Me from Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty’s American Girl. The music played throughout the afternoon by an impressive line-up of talent including another Westchester based band, Skyfactor.

Just Call Me By My Name with Marcy Berman Goldstein: Photo credit: Jacob Saccone
However, the stars of the show were the performers from the “Daniel’s Music Foundation” – a non-profit organization dedicated to providing music programs for individuals with developmental and physical disabilities. “It feels amazing to be here,” said George Dennehy, who had been born without arms and played the guitar using his feet – while singing. “Music is such a universal language… people with disabilities deserve a chance to learn and express in that way… the crowd was so warm. So kind and so welcoming. I’m not from here, but I can tell that this is a great neighborhood.”

Face painting!Community spirit was at an all-time high, with local organizations like SPCA Westchester playing their part in the festival’s success. Numerous stalls offered arts and crafts, opportunities for teens, and more. This year’s event has already sparked excitement for the next festival, promising even more fun and entertainment for all ages.

Marcy Berman Goldstein, who produced the event, said, “We are incredibly proud of our exceptional, family-friendly event, which drew over 5,000 attendees. With 16 extraordinary bands performing on three live stages, delicious food options from over a dozen vendors, a VIP Grand Tasting Village, and expanded activities, there was something for everyone.

The success of the 2024 SMF would not have been possible without the generosity and support of our event sponsors, talented musicians, participating vendors, and community partners. We are incredibly grateful for our ongoing partnership and support from the Village of Scarsdale. We would also like to extend a special thanks to the Conservation Advisory Council for all of their efforts to ensure SMF continues to be a zero-waste event.

On behalf of the SBA and the entire SMF team, it is our honor to have chosen Daniel’s Music Festival bubbles: Photo credit: David SteinbergFoundation as this year’s charitable recipient, a non-profit empowering individuals with disabilities through music. We were thrilled to feature artists from DMF’s music label, 'Just Call Me By My Name,' whose spectacular and talented performances left a lasting impression on all attendees.

The SBA is thrilled to continue enhancing the vibrancy of our downtown center by bringing cultural arts and diversity and expanding our community’s connection to Westchester County and the greater Tri-State area. We look forward to next year's event!”

Writer Eian Tsou is a current junior at Scarsdale High School who loves the creative process of writing. Outside of writing, Eian loves to volunteer, play with his dogs, kick around a soccer ball, and eat tasty foods.

Kids got game: Photo credit: David Steinberg