Every year, a corner of Massachusetts turns into something extraordinary—a carnival of music, laughter, and fireworks, where celebrities mingle with families, children light up with joy, and hundreds of people gather for a cause bigger than themselves. It’s called Summerfest, and for those who’ve been lucky enough to experience it, it’s more than a party. It’s a movement built on generosity, community, and a simple philosophy: be kind.
After a five-year hiatus, Summerfest is coming back bigger than ever. On Saturday, September 13, in Tewksbury, this year’s event promises an unforgettable experience with a full-blown carnival with rides, a massive live concert, celebrity guests, a car show, a cornhole tournament, helicopter rides, horseback rides, miniature golf, food trucks, and a firework finale that rivals any Fourth of July celebration.
“It’s going to be four times bigger than anything we’ve done before,” said an undeniably excited Eric Murray, Summerfest’s founder, also known affectionately as ‘E-Money’ -a moniker given by family and friends in large part for the sizeable donations he has been able to make over the years to causes near and dear to his heart.
Summerfest’s origins, however, started from much smaller beginnings in 2018 with a simple intention to make a difference.
“I wanted to get involved in philanthropy,” Murray recalls. “I personally knew several people affected by autism, and it’s more prevalent than most people realize.” This ultimately sparked what has become a charitable cornerstone in the Boston community, raising money for a worthy cause.
However, pulling it off was no small feat. Murray had a big vision, and even bigger promises about who might attend. He admits those early days were unconventional.
“Steve ‘Cecil’ Costa, a great friend of mine, suggested I reach out to Bill Kenny, owner of BKP Production Company, to help produce the show,” Murray said. “I tried several times to connect with Bill, leaving messages, but he never returned my calls. Living in the same town, he had heard the list of celebrities I claimed were coming and, understandably, assumed I wasn’t being serious.”
Determined to prove he meant every word, Murray did something bold. He went directly to Kenny’s house and left his business card at his doorstep. Not long after, Kenny’s general manager called to schedule a meeting.
“That’s when Bill realized that, while I may be a little unconventional, I was completely genuine and committed to making this event happen,” said Murray.
Thanks to Kenny’s vision and hard work, the first Summerfest came together flawlessly. “It turned out to be one of the most incredible events I could have imagined,” Murray said. “I’m deeply grateful to Bill for making it all possible.”
That first year, Murray transformed his own backyard into a concert venue. An incredible Linkin Park cover band took the stage, fireworks lit up the sky, and people showed up in droves. By the end of the night, they had raised tens of thousands of dollars for The Melmark School, which provides education and residential programs for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities.
“When I dropped off the check at Melmark, I couldn’t drive for 10 minutes because I was so emotional,” Murray said. “It just puts everything in perspective. You realize all the little things we complain about every day don’t matter.”
Summerfest quickly became more than a fundraiser. It became a lifeline of joy for families who often felt forgotten. Murray invited parents of autistic children as VIP guests, giving them a night to celebrate, laugh, and feel like they belonged.
“I had shirts made that said, ‘Proud Parent of a Child with Autism’ on the front, and on the back, in big letters, ‘Today, I’m a Rock Star’. Those parents were walking around the party wearing those shirts, and everyone was hugging them, taking pictures with them. They felt like rock stars, and they deserve to.”
In 2019, Summerfest grew even bigger. The guest list included 10 Boston Bruins players including Torey Krug, Charlie McAvoy, and David Pastrňák, who arrived early and stayed late, embracing the chance to embed themselves in the community and spread joy.
Murray even asked his dear friend and former New England Patriots tight end, Rob Gronkowski, to join to support his charitable efforts. Murray recalled Gronk asking one question before agreeing to come, “Is there going to be food there?”
Murray laughed as the answer was a resounding yes. With his fun-loving and goofy personality, Gronk brought high energy to Summerfest, making memories with children and parents alike, and of course, enjoyed the well-deserved, delicious festival bites.
“That’s what blows me away,” Murray said. “None of these [celebrity] guys ask for anything. They come because they want to help.”
For Murray, the fulfillment he derives from the event is a driving force to continue his philanthropic mission.
“At the end of the night, people come up to me and say, ‘We’ve never had a night like this,’” he said. “That’s what makes it all worth it.”
And while the night itself may be unforgettable, it’s the charitable component that truly changes lives.
By the end of its second year, Summerfest had raised over $100,000 for causes including The Melmark School to aid children with autism, addiction recovery programs, the local police athletic league, and Ironstone Farm, which offers equine therapy retreats for veterans with PTSD.
However, like so many other events, the pandemic in 2020 brought Summerfest to a screeching halt. The pause lasted longer than Murray wanted, but the mission never left his mind. “I’ve been dying to do this again,” he expressed. “And now, it’s finally happening—bigger and better than ever.”
The road to Summerfest wasn’t just about event planning. It was also about personal transformation. In his 30s and 40s, Murray admits, giving back wasn’t a priority. Life was strictly about work and climbing the ladder of success. However, as Murray was navigating a difficult breakup with a long time girlfriend, he was struggling and going through personal issues that forced him to re-evaluate everything.
“I wasn’t living up to my own standards,” expressed Murray. “I needed to change. When I started doing philanthropy, I realized how amazing it makes you feel and what a difference you can make in someone else’s life.”
Murray recalled that Denzel put it best by famously saying, “The most selfish thing you can do in this world is help someone else.”
Today, Murray lives by that principle in ways big and small. Beyond Summerfest, he spends his Sundays bringing 40 Egg McMuffins to a local homeless shelter, where he not only drops off food, but sits, talks, and shares laughs. “I tell jokes and make people feel special,” he said. “It’s free to be kind. I look forward to it every week.”
That same spirit will define Summerfest 2025. The event will once again benefit The Melmark School, and a new addition to the charitable lineup—The Greg Hill Foundation—which provides emergency assistance to local families in the Greater Boston area who are affected by tragedy and has raised more than $31 million to date.
“Greg’s a great friend of mine, and what he does for charity is incredible,” Murray said. “If we can help his foundation while helping ours, that’s a win-win.”
Pulling off an event of this scale takes a small army of planners, sponsors, and volunteers. Murray credits Erin from FMP Productions for orchestrating the logistics and Jay Harman of Cisco Brewers for supplying the beer and spirits—a partnership that’s become a Summerfest tradition. “Jay is one of those unsung heroes who just wants to do good,” Murray said. “Everything that guy does is fun, and he’s so humble.”
Murray emphasized that it truly does -as the old saying goes- ‘take a village’ producing a festival of this magnitude. “I would also like to shout out a special thanks to my friend Marc Ginsburg,” he continued. “Marc not only helps me with this event donating his time, money and resources.. he has also helped thousands of people over the years, staying silent behind the scenes not wanting any acknowledgment. He’s a true class act!”
For attendees, the experience will be unforgettable. From carnival rides for kids to a massive concert for music lovers, celebrity appearances, the Tom Logan Memorial car show, and a fireworks show that rivals Boston’s own. There will be food trucks, games, and plenty of surprises. “It’s about family, fun, and good energy,” Murray expressed. “Come for the music, come for the fireworks, come to meet a Bruins player or two—but most of all, come because it makes a difference.”
Murray knows firsthand how quickly life can change, and how kindness can ripple far beyond what you expect. “Life’s not about climbing the ladder,” he said. “It’s about reaching back and helping somebody else out. Be humble. Be kind. And the rest takes care of itself.”
Summerfest 2025 takes place on Saturday, September 13, in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. Tickets are available now at The Greg Hill Foundation website. Don’t miss a day of live music, family fun, celebrity meet-and-greets, and a firework finale you won’t forget. Come for the party, stay for the purpose, and be part of something bigger.
