By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor

Fall is in the air, and with it two annual Pennsauken events are right around the corner: the 24^th annual Car, Bike and Craft Show, held on Sunday, Sept. 18; and the third annual Harvest Festival, held on Saturday, Oct. 8. Each event offers a wonderful opportunity for members of the Pennsauken community to come together.

Start Your Engines

Pennsauken Township, the Pennsauken-Merchantville Area Chamber of Commerce, and Pinsetter Bar and Bowl present the town’s 24th annual Car, Bike and Craft Show. Held on Sunday, Sept. 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., hundreds of antique, classic and custom cars and motorcycles will line up along a stretch of the “Maple Mile” that runs from Canning to Union avenues in Pennsauken, and includes the parking lot for Pinsetter Bar and Bowl, 7111 Maple Ave. The popular craft show, now in its fourth year, continues to grow with 40 vendors anticipated to attend. In addition, the Pennsauken Car, Bike and Craft Show features music, food, and family-friendly entertainment.

“This is a great event that people look forward to every year,” says Elwood “Duke” Martz, head of Pennsauken’s Parks and Recreation Department. “We’re once again hoping for some great fall weather, so that thousands of people can enjoy the many cars and bikes that come to our show each year.”

Year after year, local businesses continue to help make the Pennsauken Car, Bike and Craft Show possible with financial support. The event’s major sponsors are All Around Pennsauken; Arnold’s Safe and Lock Company; Beacon Auto and Truck Collision Center; ColorSource; Dunkin’ Donuts; Elite Auto Service; ELMCO TWO Inc.; Gaskill Brown Funeral Home; Independent Alarm; Just Plain Silly Entertainment; Marinelli & Associates; McAllister the Service Company; McFarlan’s Market; Mesa Signs; Penn Muffler and Brake; Pinsetter Bar and Bowl; Precision Transmissions; Primerica, Ellis and Associates; Rhoads Metal Works; Route 130 Car Wash; Stevens Management Associates; The Quiz Kids; Third Base Sports and Trophies; Tony’s Auto Service; Tony’s Golden Scissors; and U.S. Auto Auction.

There will be 22 judging classes for cars, from Stock Production to 1953 to All New Cars, 2011 to Present, as well as nine judging classes for motorcycles, from Full Dresser to Antique Bikes.

As attendees enjoy viewing the many cars and bikes on display, they can also enjoy a parking lot full of activity. Pinsetter Bar and Bowl will have set up a barbecue tent with tables and chairs for people to sit, eat, and relax. There will also be some family-friendly entertainment, including bounce houses, balloon twisting, face painting, and disk jockeys spinning both classic and the latest hits.

Each year, every effort is made to reduce the impact on the neighborhoods along Maple Ave. and adjoining streets. Local residents will have access to major throughways and can get in and out of the area during the event. In case of inclement weather, the rain date for the Car, Bike and Craft Show is Sunday, Sept. 25.

Registrations for cars and bikes are being accepted at the Parks and Recreation Department of Pennsauken Township, 6505 North Crescent Blvd., Pennsauken, NJ 08110. You can also download the forms by clicking here.

Celebrating Pennsauken’s Rich Culture

The Pennsauken Township Public Events Committee, in association with the Pennsauken Township Fire Department and the Pennsauken-Merchantville Area Chamber of Commerce, will host the third annual Pennsauken Harvest Festival, a celebration of heritage, arts and community. The free event, held on Saturday, Oct. 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Pennsauken Community Recreation Complex on Westfield Ave., will highlight Pennsauken’s diverse cultural identity with a celebration of arts and community.

“Last year, we welcomed 3,000 people to Pennsauken’s Harvest Festival; we look forward to having even more guests join us on Oct. 8,” says Captain Dan Kerr, fire marshal of the Pennsauken-Collingswood Fire Prevention and Inspection Bureau and chairperson of this year’s event. “The Harvest Festival is not only a great showcase and celebration of Pennsauken’s cultural diversity, but it also helps to create more awareness about the importance of fire safety and the role the fire department plays in our community.”

The Harvest Festival will have music and dance acts throughout the day, mixing in a variety of demonstrations by the Pennsauken Fire Department, held in conjunction with Fire Prevention Month.

“We’re excited to have the mobile New Jersey Hall of Fame this year,” says Betsy McBride, Pennsauken Township committeewoman and honorary chair. “Step inside the trailer and get inspired by some of the people who have made New Jersey great.”

Rows of vendors and crafters will line the parking lot of the Recreational Complex and festival goers can enjoy food from many food trucks. There will also be plenty of free activities for the kids, including scarecrow making, pumpkin painting, sack races, soccer shootouts, inflatable bouncers, balloon twisting, and face painting. And for the brave of heart, there will even be a mechanical bull.

Plenty of regular and handicapped parking will be available for attendees and traffic assistance will be provided by Pennsauken Police.

“There will be so much to do and see and taste at the Harvest Festival,” adds McBride. “It’s going to be a great event for the entire family.”

The rain date for the Harvest Festival is Sunday, Oct. 9. For more information, visit the event’s page on Facebook.