Boonton will host second Judge Less Festival this weekend to aid those who self-harm
Eighteen years ago, Vicki Duffy founded New Jersey’s first nonprofit support group for people who suffer the dangerous cycle of self-harming. Two years ago, after stops in Florham Park and Rockaway, Love More Judge Less opened what it hopes can be a permanent home on Main Street in Boonton.
It's safe to say the community has embraced her mission, which expanded last year with the inaugural Judge Less Festival at Grace Lord Park. Sunday, the festival returns with added attractions including live music, food vendors and other exhibitors representing local businesses and support groups in North Jersey.
Judge Less Festival: The mission
Duffy stresses that while the organization's focus is on self-harm − she openly shares her own struggle and the scars it left − "we are all about people, whether you self-harm or not."
A 2018 study published by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, covering 41 nations, found that about 17% of all people will self-harm during their lifetime and 5% of people use cutting as their method of injury. The study also reported that the average age of the first incident of self-harm was 13.
Duffy said everyone is welcome to attend the festival, which begins at noon. Admission is free.
"Our message of loving more and judging less is exactly that," she said. "We just want people to believe the best of every person, and live the healthiest life they can, mentally, physically emotionally, and we just try to help in our way."
Main Street group offers clothes, comfort
To that end, their headquarters at 1017 Main Street serves as a "safe space" for anyone who walks in. It offers a home for group discussions, a resource center and a retail shop featuring clothing and other items with supportive messages. The shop provides a small operating revenue stream for Duffy and the rest of the staff, who are not paid for their efforts.
Despite its modest budget, the group staged the first Judge Less Festival in 2022 without sponsors and will do the same this year. An anonymous private donor did step up last year to help pay for the $500 park rental fee, $450 for portable toilets and other expenses. Two more donors have done the same this year.
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Duffy said the group has decided to collect vendor fees this year at the suggestion of vendors from the first festival who were eager to return.
Food and entertainment lineup
The extra funds have paved the way for this weekend's food and entertainment attractions. The lineup includes Boonton's own Harmony Senior Drum Corps, which will open the festival at 12:15 p.m. The band Stereo Jo will play live music from 1 to 4 p.m. Musical entertainment will conclude with a performance by Tina D. Parton, a step-dancing drag queen from Ireland, at 4:30 p.m.
Food vendors will include the Fat Fox BBQ food truck and three local establishments: Yum, Creations By Sabrina and the Scoop House.
Sharing stories at heart of festival
"We didn't have much entertainment last year and police believe that between 500 and 700 people came, which blew us away," Duffy said. "The speakers were really the show and through their stories, celebrating differences and diversity, we were able to show the community who we were. We spoke on kindness, acceptance and love. That's something everybody needs and I really think it brought everyone together."
Speakers will appear this year in between the music, while a Kid's Zone will return to entertain young visitors. Additional exhibitors will represent local businesses and community groups including the Lakeland Hills YMCA, NorthStar Pet Rescue, the local youth group Campaign For Gender Inclusivity and the Boonton Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, which will accept donations of canned goods and non-perishable items.
"We filled all our exhibit space last year and did it again this year," Duffy said.
With music, dancing and food on the bill in 2023, they are hoping for an even bigger turnout on Sunday.
"Last year we laid out the groundwork," she saaid. "This time, we want to pick up where we left off last year and build on that."
Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the name of the Campaign for Gender Inclusivity.
William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com
Twitter: @wwesthoven
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Boonton NJ Judge Less Festival 2023 aids group combatting self-harm
