Jamesburg hosting street fair

Tonkery Street fair to light up West Railroad Avenue

By:Joseph Harvie
   JAMESBURG — On Saturday, West Railroad Avenue is set to be filled with the smell of fried carnival food, the sight of classic cars and the sounds of live music and a disc jockey at the fourth annual Tonkery Street boulevard Fair.
   The free event, which will run along the length of Tonkery Boulevard, now named West Railroad Avenue, is set to run from noon until dusk, rain or shine and will have vendors selling everything from T-shirts to food to jewelry, said Borough Administrative Assistant Jennifer Vedral, who is street fair coordinator. She said there is about 100 vendors already signed up for the festival.
   "This is the first time that we’ve had this many vendors," Ms. Vedral said. "Last year we had a lot of vendors, but it rained and some of them didn’t show so we are hoping the weather will be good."
   There also will be a motorcycle and car show at the festival featuring classic, custom and newer cars. Entrants can register their car in advance for $10, or the day of the show for $15.
   "There are eight different trophies for motorcycles, and 13 different ones for cars, including best in show and mayor’s choice," Ms. Vedral said.
   Live music for the day will be provided by area bands Mudbox, There 4, P.O.W., Caveman Dig and Souls Release. The bands will have comic emcee Joe Gillies introducing them, said Ms. Vedral.
   Nonprofit groups from the area will also be on hand for the event, including the Jamesburg Fire Department, Jamesburg Parent Teacher Association, Knights of Columbus, Habitat for Humanity, ASPCA, Jamesburg Presbyterian Church, Jamesburg High School Alumni Association and Jamesburg Historical Association.
   The fair will feature rides for kids including a Dixie Ferris Wheel, a wizard bounce inflatable moonwalk and a firetruck slide, which Ms. Vedral said is a big blow up slide shaped like a firetruck.
   Sparkee, a mascot from the Atlantic League baseball team the Somerset Patriots, will be on hand for a portion of the day as well, Ms. Vedral said.
   There also will be a booth set up where people can make donations to keep the after-school programs in Jamesburg running. The PTA has been running the after-school programs, such as soccer and basketball, since October 2002 due to shortfalls in the school budget.
   Running the programs has become too costly for the PTA and funding to keep the programs operational is not in the school budget.
   Mayor Tony LaMantia has set up a drive asking for donations from area businesses, corporations and individuals to help keep the programs running.