By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
Pennsauken Township and the Business, Industry, and Government Council will host the first-ever Harvest Festival on Sunday, Oct. 12 from 12 to 4 p.m. Held at the Pennsauken Community Recreational Complex on Westfield Ave., adjacent to the Merchantville-Pennsauken Water Commission’s main offices, this free event will highlight Pennsauken’s diverse cultural identity with a celebration of arts and community.
“We’re very excited to have our first Harvest Festival here in Pennsauken,” says Pennsauken Deputy Mayor Betsy McBride. “We welcome families throughout our region to enjoy music, dance, arts, crafts, and games of many cultures.”
The Harvest Festival features two stages for performances that will be held throughout the day. “We’ve got something for everyone,” explains Thom Tillinghast, event chairperson. “We’ll have performances occurring throughout the day, so attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or a blanket to sit and enjoy a lot of wonderful singing and dancing. We will also have a demonstration from area skateboarders at the great skate park that’s on site.”
Rows of vendors and crafters will line the parking lot of the Recreational Complex and attendees can sample tastes from area restaurants and food purveyors, including the 45th Street Pub, Jersey BBQ, Dar J Concessions, Lil Trent’s Water Ice, and Mister Softee. There will also be plenty of free activities for the kids, including scarecrow making, pumpkin painting, sack races, basketball and soccer shootouts, inflatable bouncers, balloon twisting, and face painting.
“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 Pennsauken Harvest Festival would not be possible without the support of local businesses and organizations. Special thanks go to The Bloom Organization; the Camden County Board of Freeholders; Conifer Realty, LLC; CRW Graphics; Dr. “K” Orthodontics; Horizon Services; Montegrillo Cucina Italiana; Peze and Carroll, Inc.; Primerca, Ellis and Associates; PSE&G; Regional Foot and Ankle Specialists, LLC; Stevens Management Associates; and T and M Associates. Several local families have also lent financial support and in-kind donations for the Harvest Festival and other community members will serve as volunteers during the event.
Deputy Mayor McBride also expressed her gratitude to the members of the public events committee, who have been planning the Harvest Festival for several months. “We really have a wonderful team that has worked non-stop to make the Harvest Festival possible. I’d like to thank Thom Tillinghast, Nancy Ellis, Janet Stevens, Bill Mattia, Mary Meloni, Michael Hurley, Noemi Nieves, and Sulena Robinson-Rivera for their tireless commitment and dedication.”
For more information about the event, for remaining sponsorship opportunities, or to secure a vendor space, be sure to visit the Harvest Festival’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PennsaukenHarvestFestival.
