Sweet Avenue Bake Shop, a gourmet vegan cupcakery, is proud to announce Cupcakefest 2010 in partnership with Planet Verge & Big Picture Media, scheduled for Saturday, June 26th from 2pm to 8pm at Rutherford's Lincoln Park Bandshell (176 Park Avenue) in Rutherford, NJ. Cupcakefest is an annual celebration of music and cupcakes with several bands playing outdoor sets to raise money and donations for an honorable charity. In addition to free mini cupcakes for all comers, there are raffles and cupcake-eating contests all afternoon.

This year, Cupcakefest is jam packed with musical talent from the NY/NJ area. Some of the artists and bands include: Val Emmich (as seen on 30 Rock and Ugly Betty), Those Mockingbirds, Washington Square Park, Alchemy & the Queen, Young Squire (former members of Gaslight Anthem and And Then There Were Machines), Right as Rain and The Worms.

Besides eating cupcakes and listening to great music, Cupcakefest is held to raise money and donations for a different charity or organization each year. This year, Sweet Avenue is partnering with the Passaic Animal Shelter of Passaic, NJ. All of the proceeds from the raffles and cupcake-eating contest will be donated to this needy nearby shelter. Cupcakefest is free to the public, but all attendees are strongly encouraged to bring at least one item to donate to the animal shelter, such as pet food, litter, old blankets or towels, pet toys, etc.

This year, raffle prizes include donations by: Activision (Band Hero), Harmonix (Rock Band), Whole Foods, Rutherford Pancake House, Beauty by Nicole, Merrick Pet Care, Paradise Pet, Garden State Rollergirls, A Doghouse Bakery, Doggie Paradise and many more!

Last year alone, over $5,000 was raised in cash and pet supply donations for the Liberty Humane Society, and we hope to double that amount this year for the Passaic Animal Shelter! Please come and show your support! Besides, what’s greater than cupcakes, live music, and animals?

For more information, please go to: www.cupcakefest.com.

Val Emmich – www.myspace.com/valemmich

Those Mockingbirds – www.myspace.com/thosemockingbirds

Washington Square Park – www.myspace.com/washingtonsquarepark

Alchemy & the Queen – www.myspace.com/alchemyandthequeen

Young Squire – www.myspace.com/youngsquireband

Right as Rain – www.facebook.com/rightasrainmusic

About Sweet Avenue Bake Shop: Sweet Avenue is a gourmet vegan cupcakery located in Rutherford, NJ. They are 100% dairy and egg-free, cholesterol-free, and delicious. Sweet Avenue is dedicated to life, liberty and the pursuit of cupcakes! www.sweetavenuebakeshop.com

About Planet Verge: The all-female staffed music network has established a reputation for making an impact on the world--one indie rocker at a time--by bringing its audience “What’s Hot” and “What’s Important" through various forms of media (zines, blogs, Internet-TV episodes). www.planetverge.com

About Big Picture Media: Big Picture Media is a full service entertainment public relations agency based in NYC. BPM specializes in national television, print magazines and newspapers, syndicated radio and new media. www.bigpicturemediaonline.com