Event is five years strong
By:Vanessa S. Holt
ROEBLING The fifth annual "Occasion in the Park" will bring old-fashioned fun to Roebling Park on Sunday afternoon, with proceeds benefiting Roebling Historical Society (RHS) and the Main Gate Museum project.
This year’s event promises to be the most fun-filled "Occasion" so far with "a little bit of everything" that captures the spirit of historic Roebling, said RHS President Donna McElrea.
The annual event had its start four years ago and is becoming a late summer tradition, raising awareness about the RHS, the Main Gate Museum project and promoting a sense of community togetherness, said Ms. McElrea.
Visitors can "catch a glimpse" of the planned museum at Sunday’s event, where an artist’s rendering of the building will be on display.
The museum will be located within the main gate building at the former Roebling Steel Mill and will showcase Roebling history and artifacts.
People are invited to make suggestions for the museum and voice their ideas and opinions at the museum booth on Sunday, said Ms. McElrea.
Donations of Roebling memorabilia and historical items can be made at the RHS booth on Sunday, and new RHS members are welcome to join the day of the event, she said.
Activities for kids and interesting features for adults will begin at 1 p.m.
From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. a "Meet the Mayor" booth will be open for residents and visitors to stop by and talk to Mayor Michael Muchowski in an informal setting, and the Roebling Historical Society will set up an antique photo display from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. featuring photographs of local people and places.
The RHS is hoping to identify some of the faces in the pictures, and is asking event attendees to take a look and see if they recognize a family member in any of the images.
A petting zoo and pony rides will be open for children between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. A hand washing station will be set up alongside the petting zoo.
From 2 to 4 p.m., "Patches the Clown" will entertain kids with magic tricks and balloon sculptures, and from 2 to 5 p.m. artist Ellen Zucker of Philadelphia will offer color and black and white caricatures for a small fee.
A "Moon Bounce" will be set up from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for kids, but old-fashioned games like musical chairs, a watermelon-eating contest and water balloon games will be held all day long for youngsters.
A face painting and temporary tattoo booth for young people is sponsored by area Girl Scouts this year.
The "Occasion" will feature community booths for the first time, with area churches and community groups setting up to offer information about membership and activities to the public, while Weidel Realty will have a booth with information about Roebling homes for sale.
Arts and crafts also will be on display for the first time at this year’s event, featuring area artists Greg Brown and John Bauer.
Five area crafters plan to display their wares, including stained glass, painted wood, jewelry and quilts.
Safety is always spotlighted at the Occasion in the Park and this year the Roebling Rescue Squad will have a free blood pressure testing booth and a "teddy bear clinic" for kids, teaching first aid with the help of a toy bear.
St. Michael and Gabrielle Church will offer their locally famous stuffed cabbage, area Boy Scouts will have hot dogs and soda for sale, and Roebling Rescue Squad will be selling pork roll, hamburgers and soda.
A bacon bread book sponsored by the RHS, and Roebling Ladies "Scratch Bake Sale" are annual favorites, said Ms. McElrea.
Donations of home-baked goods are still being accepted by Kathy Smith, who can be reached at 499-9475 if anyone wants to donate a cake or other baked good for the sale.
Fruit lovers are advised to wait until Sunday to do their fruit shopping this week, as area produce vendors Ann and Sammy Frankel will set up a "fresh fruit station" with proceeds going to the RHS and Main Gate Museum project.
Ms. McElrea advised attendees to bring along a folding chair and make a day out of relaxing in the park among friends and family.
"An active park is a safe park," she said. "Come out and see your neighbors, make new friends, and tell the world about Roebling."
The Occasion in the Park will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. on Sunday at Roebling Park on Riverside Avenue.

