By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
Pennsauken Township, in partnership with the Pennsauken Firefighters Association, will host the seventh annual Pennsauken Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct. 16 (rain date Sunday, Oct. 17). This annual event, held from noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Pennsauken Community Recreation Complex on Westfield and Bethel avenues, brings the Township community together with a family-friendly atmosphere.
“We’re working on making the comeback of Pennsauken’s Harvest Festival the best one yet,” explains Pennsauken Mayor Marco DiBattista. “Residents will definitely not want to miss this event.”
This year’s Harvest Festival is filled with fall family fun. Youngsters accompanied by an adult can board a hayride and travel around the complex to a “patch” to pick out the perfect pumpkin for painting. Children can also enjoy a variety of inflatables, petting zoo, sand art, balloon twisting, face painting, and two new amusements: the “Dragon Wagon” mini roller coaster and a giant slide. To commemorate Walt Disney and his brother founding the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio on October 16, 1923, attendees both big and small will be able to have their pictures taken with some special costumed characters.
Attendees will be able to purchase fare from a variety of food trucks. In addition, the festival’s popular “Vendor Row,” will once again be set up along the complex’s parking lot, with a variety of crafters, businesses, and community organizations sharing their goods and services with participants. Those wishing to inquire about bringing their food truck to the event or purchasing a vendor space at the event can call (856) 665-1000 x104.
This year’s event also offers residents an opportunity to give back. Oct. 16 is World Food Day, where events and activities promote global awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure healthy diets for all. Attendees are asked to bring non-perishable food items to the Harvest Festival. All donations will be delivered to a Pennsauken-based food bank to help food insecure families in our community.
The Pennsauken Harvest Festival is held in conjunction with Fire Prevention Month, a time of year to focus on promoting the importance of fire safety. “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety!” is this year’s theme.
“Everyone should know and be able to recognize the different sounds that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms make during an emergency,” said Captain Dan Kerr, Pennsauken Township Fire Department. “Knowing what to do when an alarm goes off in your home will keep both you and your family safe.”
As part of the town’s fall celebration, the Pennsauken Fire Department will display a variety of emergency vehicles; demonstrate a car extraction using firefighting tools; give children an opportunity to test their firefighting skills using a special fire hose; and host their annual chili contest. In addition, the Office of the Fire Marshal will distribute materials on the importance of fire safety. Pennsauken’s firefighters will be joined by the Township’s police officers, who will also have vehicles on display and hold demonstrations throughout the day.
Regular and handicapped parking will be available for attendees, both on site as well as the areas adjacent to the Pennsauken Community Recreation Complex; during the event, traffic assistance will be provided by Pennsauken Police. For more information, visit “Pennsauken Harvest Festival” on Facebook or go to https://twp.pennsauken.nj.us/content/harvest-festival-2021.
