Final plans under way for annual Street Fair

Crafts, music, activities for kids highlight 26th annual fair in Bordentown City.

By: Vanessa S. Holt
   BORDENTOWN CITY — Farnsworth Avenue will undergo a familiar transformation on the weekend of May 17 and 18 when the historic downtown strip becomes an outdoor marketplace for creative crafts and community fun at the 26th annual Bordentown Street Fair.
   The event is organized by a committee made up of six volunteers from the Greater Bordentown Area Chamber of Commerce (GBACC). Funding for the event is raised from renting spaces to vendors and corporate donations.
   "It takes several months of planning," said GBACC Executive Secretary Barbara Parmigiani. "We start in November, getting the list compiled. Almost to the last day, you’re making changes."
   The fair features homemade crafts including apparel, garden statues, jewelry, rustic birdhouses, silk flowers and wreaths, embroidery, wood crafts, stained glass, American Indian crafts and quilts.
   It will be held rain or shine, but if there is an extremely heavy downpour the event could be canceled, Ms. Parmigiani said. Last year, morning showers gave way to a pleasantly sunny spring day. Many vendors are willing to stick out the possibility of bad weather to see the fair go on, she said.
   Vendors will be coming from throughout New Jersey and from Pennsylvania, Delaware and as far away as Florida, said Ms. Parmigiani.
   "Most crafters return year after year," she said.
   This year’s street fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
   Community groups setting up stands this year include St. Mary’s PTA, which will offer face painting for kids; the Lions Club, offering free eye screening; the Knights of Columbus, selling funnel cakes, and Hamilton-based environmental group Friends of the Marsh.
   Also setting up tables this year are the Bordentown Regional High School Band Boosters, Bordentown Veterans Memorial Committee, Mount Moriah Masonic Lodge, Bordentown Garden Club, American Legion, Bordentown City Environmental Commission, Bordentown Rotary Club and local Boy Scout troops.
   The 30th Legislative District office in Bordentown Township also will have a booth featuring information and handouts about Burlington County.
   The Bordentown Regional High School band will play from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday and other musical acts performing this weekend include a group from Astoria, N.Y., that plays music of the Andes and sells handmade Peruvian sweaters along with recordings of their music.
   A children’s area will be set up on Walnut Street with pony rides, the inflatable "Moonwalk" ride for kids, face painting, sand bottles and other child-friendly activities.
   There will not be a shuttle bus for parking this year, but free parking is available throughout the town, said organizers.
   Farnsworth Avenue will be closed to traffic this weekend during the fair hours from Park to Federal streets, and a portion of Walnut Street also will be closed to traffic. Free off-street parking is available throughout the city. Admission to the event is free.