By: Najla Alexander
Middlesex County officials announced that the Arts Institute of Middlesex County welcomed residents and visitors to Monument Square Park in New Brunswick for the third annual FolkLIVE: Gospel Music Festival, where an afternoon of uplifting performances celebrated the rich traditions, cultural influence, and legacy of gospel music.
The festival featured Grammy Award-winning headliners Erica Campbell and Jonathan McReynolds, along with Stellar Gospel Award-winning group The Group Fire, MCPO officials say. 
Middlesex County officials said that audiences also enjoyed performances by local and regional artists Valarie Adams, Myles Cherrette, Tangie Cobb, Bishop George C. Searight & Royal Priesthood, and DJ RunTheFade.
The event was emceed by Toya Beasley, host of 94.7 The Block, and nationally recognized arts administrator Deonté Griffin-Quick, according to Middlesex County officials. 
MCPO officials said that FolkLIVE is a project of the Regional Folklife Center at the Arts Institute of Middlesex County with support from the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners.
The Regional Folklife Center at the Arts Institute of Middlesex County is a project of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, Middlesex County officials said. 
The 2026 FolkLIVE series continues with:
-August 29: FolkLIVE: New Jersey Folk Festival 51st Anniversary | Davidson Mill Pond Park
-September 12: FolkLIVE: Mexican Folkloric Festival | Monument Square Park
To learn more about upcoming arts, history, and cultural events in Middlesex County, please visit MiddlesexCountyCulture.com.