Easton alt-rock band Project 9, featuring Jim Thorpe-raised Rebecca Ripley on vocals, will make its StroudFest debut when the annual Sherman Theater festival returns Sept. 5 in downtown Stroudsburg.

StroudFest, first held in 2007, touts four stages of music and 170-plus vendors, among other attractions.

Project 9, set to perform from 11 a.m. to noon on the Main Stage in Courthouse Square, was “stoked to have been invited to play,” Ripley said. “We got the chance to play Stroudsburg’s Concerts in the Square, which was an absolute blast, so we are looking forward to rocking with those fine folks.”

Aside from Ripley, the rock quartet also features guitarist Russell Krutisia, bassist Mike Schuon and drummer Scott Fore.

“We were all in eight bands prior to this, which is why we decided to stick with the name Project 9,” Ripley said. “Scott, Russell and Mike played in separate projects with each other, eventually coming together to form three-quarters of Project 9. I joined last by answering an ad they put out.”

Project 9’s 2025 debut album “Hot Mess” features tracks such as the title cut, “Two Faced” and “Deadwalking.” The group, thus far, has released three singles this year: newest release “Miss Enemy,” plus “Baby She’s Tuff” and “Mama,” the latter featuring Ripley’s sister Carissa Cano.

Early start

Ripley, raised in Jim Thorpe from age 5 and living in the Palmerton area, loved music from the start.

“My family joked that I came out of the womb singing. My parents had to make a rule that there was no singing at the dinner table, because my spoon would have quickly become a makeshift microphone.”

Ripley, whose wedding DJ dad ran his own radio station when she was younger, was “exposed to all sorts of genres of old and new music. My sister and I would harmonize and sing along with almost anything we heard.”

The vocalist, upon writing her first song as a fourth grader, was “so excited to show off to my family. I think most of what prepared and encouraged me to pursue music was my family.”

Ripley, a classically trained singer, “was fortunate enough to have been trained to sing healthily. It’s helped me sing rock music safely. I studied classical and jazz performance in college, and took a break from music shortly after COVID and college.”

Thereafter, Ripley “started looking for a band to play in, in my free time. That’s when I saw the ad for Project 9. I never would have imagined I’d be the frontwoman of a rock band, but here we are.”

Prior to Project 9, Ripley’s bandmates recorded and released rock music with their past bands. Ripley has performed live for about 15 years, “four of which have been with this group of crazy guys.”

Ripley writes Project 9’s songs, though “when I have lyrics and a melody, all four of us come together and add our own influences into the music. Russell edits, mixes, produces and masters them.”

Recording hits

Project 9 records in a basement studio that Fore built, while Schuon “is the only reason we get songs out in time for deadlines. He is able to record his intricate and melodic bass lines in a ridiculously short amount of time.”

In terms of band challenges, a big hurdle “was getting ‘Hot Mess’ out, a proud moment for us,” said Ripley, who appreciates the “ton of crazy curve balls thrown our way. If it was easy, we wouldn’t learn or grow. It gives me more stuff to write about. I channel that frustration and anxiety into the music.”

As of now, Project 9 plans to release more stand-alone singles, “but some of those tracks will likely end up on our next album,” Ripley noted. “We have quite a few songs coming down the pike.”

Project 9, while growing as a band and creating more original music, loves “playing all genres of rock music,” Ripley said, “from the Rolling Stones to AC/DC to Paramore. We have a lot of fun.”

The Pocono music scene, Ripley said, has embraced Project 9, with industry players “working together to raise each other up. That’s what music’s all about. This area is a thriving musical and artistic haven.”

Project 9’s relatively short history includes two television appearances, an album, and hundreds of shows at festivals, venues and stages of all sorts. In addition, the band has a number of radio appearances to its credit, including Gary Cee’s show on Stroudsburg’s Poco 103.

Furthermore, “we’ve played with countless bands and put together our own shows, including our album release show, which was a huge success,” Ripley said. “Earlier this year, we took a mini-tour down to the Florida Keys, where we played at a few venues for the first time.”

“We have had some amazing opportunities,” she added, “and look forward to what’s in store next.”

About Stroudfest 2026

Stroudfest, the annual Labor Day Festival hosted by the Sherman Theater, will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 5.

Craft, retail, food and beverage vendors will line the streets of Main Street, 7th and Courthouse Square, Monroe Street, and 6th Street. Admission is free and no tickets are required. Stroudsburg Borough parking is also free during the festival. Additional overflow parking and free shuttle service will be available at Stroudsburg High School.

Festival-related road closures and traffic changes will be in effect approximately 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sept. 5. Main Street, 7th Street, Monroe Street and 6th Street will be closed in designated areas.

This community festival complements dozens of eclectic shops and restaurants downtown.

For more information, the musical lineup and a map of where the stages will be located, visit https://shermantheater.com/event/stroudfest-2026/sherman-theater.