The 25th annual WinterFest Music Festival benefiting the Light of Day Foundation (LOD) continues to see the light as the final weekend of shows draws near, Friday, January 24th and 25th. (schedule below).
In its quest to find a cure for Parkinson’s Disease and the Parkinsonisms (ALS and PSP), The LOD Foundation always begins with the power of music. The power of music to heal is a given. The power of music to raise awareness and funds for a cause — in this case, for debilitating neuro-degenerative diseases as Parkinson’s — is the ultimate fever pitch.
Now in its 25th year, when we interviewed Executive Director / Co-Founder Tony Pallagrosi during the 20th Winterfest Fundraising Event(s), the goal was to reach the $6 million mark. Suffice it to say, the organization has now surpassed that goal and then some; not including WinterFest 2025. It just keeps getter better…

“You should be able to put the people that you love out of abject misery. The drugs are 60 or 70 years old. There have been some clinical breakthroughs, but nothing close to a cure. The problem with ALS & PSP is that for years, there’s no plug to pull. So it becomes this quazi ethical decision.” – Tony Pallagrosi, Executive Director / Co-Founder, Light of Day Foundation

The 10-day music festival has become a signature event in the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area with Asbury Park as the central mothership. It’s a true grassroots effort of musicians, music fans and benefactors. Over the years with the help of New Jersey artists such as the legendary Bruce Springsteen, actor Michael J. Fox and countless musicians, sponsors, organizations and community love – the LOD Foundation has raised more than 6.5 million dollars.
WINTERFEST 2025 FINAL WEEKEND SCHEDULE
The final two nights of WinterFest 2025 benefiting the Light of Day Foundation are happening this weekend, January 24th and 25th.
Friday, January 24 is TUSK (The World’s #1 Tribute to Fleetwood Mac) at The Count Basie Center’s Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre in Red Bank, NJ
Saturday, January 25 is Songwriters In The Round featuring Willie Nile, Jake Thistle, Williams Honor, Adam Ezra, Joe D’Urso, Danielia Cotton, John Caspi, Amanda Cross & Derek Cruz, Rick Winowski and Deni Bonet & Chris Flynn at Outpost In The Burbs, Montclair, NJ.
Start time for both nights is 7:30pm. Tickets can be purchased for both shows individually at their respective venues’ websites.
From January 15-25, 2025, the music festival’s 25th milestone year will have featured over 50 events by 150 music acts in Asbury Park, Red Bank, Montclair, NJ and New York City. Light of Day shows are also currently taking place throughout Europe with artists including Joe D’Urso, James Maddock, Williams Honor, Bobby Mahoney and guests.

THE BEGINNING
It began as a music event/birthday bash in Red Bank, NJ to raise the spirits of music promoter Bob Benjamin after his Parkinson’s diagnosis. It has turned into a charitable foundation that hosts nearly 80 events in 13 countries, spanning three continents. That one-off event raised nearly $2,000 for NYC’s Parkinson’s Disease Foundation thanks to Bob’s request to “pass the hat.” Little did he know what was to come…or did he?
The first official Light of Day concert was held at Asbury Park, NJ’s legendary Stone Pony in November 2000 and primarily featured local, unsigned artists. The critically acclaimed Pittsburgh-based band Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers (managed by Benjamin) headlined the show. A surprise appearance by local hero Bruce Springsteen — who joined the Houserockers for a raucous hour-long set — ignited what would become a tradition. The rest is history, still in the making.

Bob Benjamin, Tony Pallagrosi, The Light of Day Foundation and the countless people, fans, volunteers, musicians, supporters, sponsors, communities and countries have Socially Sparked® our lives and those afflicted with Parkinson’s and their families. As the Foundation enters its 25th year, the good people behind and in front of the many stages of Light of Day Winterfest can see the light a bit more clearly. — Abbe is Forever #Socially Sparked! — Tweet us @sosparkednews & @asparks01
More information on Parkinson’s Disease and Parkinsonisms can be found at The Parkinson’s Foundation NYNJ website. To donate to the LOD Foundation visit: www.lightofday.org