Headliners at the Toms River Fest include Carrie Underwood at 9 p.m. Saturday. Other acts include Avril Lavigne at 7:15 p.m. Sunday, followed by the band Daughtry at 9. Don't expect to hear any death metal, gangsta rap or hard-core punk at the Toms River Fest taking place on the campus of Toms River North High School Saturday and Sunday.
The two "American Idol" alumni with the healthiest music careers -- season four's Carrie Underwood and season five's Chris Daughtry (performing with his band, Daughtry) -- are the main attractions. Other artists include power pop singer/songwriter Avril Lavigne, mainstream rock acts like Live, Lifehouse and Collective Soul, country band the Lost Trailers and children's entertainer Mr. Ray.
"We wanted a very family-friendly festival -- something that was different from all the other festivals that are out there this year," says Adam Weiser, a talent buyer with AEG Live, which is co-producing the event.
Part of the formula includes a stage for local singer/songwriters and bands, including some featuring Toms River North students.
"We didn't want to make it look like it was just these big national artists and not embracing the local community," Weiser says. "It was definitely important for us to have some presence in there for them."
The event will also feature children's entertainment, carnival games, BMX bike demonstrations, rock-climbing walls, a food court, and post-show fireworks each night. Two dollars from every ticket sale will go to the Toms River Schools Technology Foundation to buy computers, printers and other equipment.
There will be two outdoor stages. The main stage -- where only Underwood, Daughtry, Lavigne and the Lost Trailers will perform at night -- has bleachers and some floor seating. The smaller "day stage" is all general admission.
The third stage, featuring the local artists, will be indoors at the Ritacco Center, which will also house the retro arcade area devoted to classic video games such as Pac-Man and Frogger.
This is the third, and most star-studded, Toms River Fest. The previous ones took place in 2005 and 2006.
Festival schedule
SATURDAY
Main Stage
8 p.m.: The Lost Trailers
9 p.m.: Carrie Underwood
Day Stage
3 p.m.: Marie Digby
3:45 p.m.: Push Play
4:45 p.m.: Gavin DeGraw
6:15 p.m.: Lifehouse
Ritacco Center
3:45 p.m.: Just Kait
4:30 p.m.: Wiser Time
5:15 p.m.: Kathy Phillips
6 p.m.: Scott Harris Project
6:45 p.m.: April Smith
SUNDAY
Main Stage
7:15 p.m.: Avril Lavigne
9 p.m.: Daughtry
Day Stage
2:15 p.m.: Day of Fire
3:15 p.m.: Collective Soul
5 p.m.: Live
Ritacco Center
3 p.m.: Mr. Ray
4:15 p.m.: Linda Chorney
5 p.m.: Matt O'Ree
5:45 p.m.: Christine Martucci
6:30 p.m.: Status Green
Jay Lustig may be reached at jlustig@starledger.com or (973) 392-5850.
