Fireworks, food and fun on tap at Community Day event

The event at Lincoln Park on Saturday will feature food, music, games and a fireworks show.

By: Charlie Olsen
   The borough will be sponsoring the annual Manville Community Day at Lincoln Park from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday.
   The event, free to all Manville residents, will feature food, music, games and will end with a bang – a fireworks show.
   "It’s a way to get the community together," Recreation Director Rich Armstrong said. "We’ve been doing this since Hurricane Floyd and it’s been popular."
   The Recreation Commission will grill hamburgers and hot dogs, served with bags of chips and kegs of root beer and orange soda purchased from Elliott Beverages in Bridgewater. The Fire Department will also be handing out bags of popcorn.
   There will be a ring toss, a moonwalk and a face-painter for the kids. A disc jockey will provide music.
   "It’s normally a good turnout," Mr. Armstrong said. "But most come out for the fireworks."
   The fireworks display will begin as soon as it gets dark outside, roughly 8 p.m., and will be a 30-minute display.
   "It’s one of the better ones in the area," Mr. Armstrong said.
   The police will be checking child safety seats, and the rescue squad will be handing out giveaways.
   "It’s a good way for (emergency services) to get more one-on-one with the public in an enjoyable environment, instead of when something bad is happening," Mr. Armstrong said.
   The Manville Municipal Alliance is going to have an informational booth set up from about 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. when people can try their luck at tossing bean bags into a basket while wearing a pair of goggles that simulate the experience of being drunk.
   The Municipal Alliance will also hand out magnetic memo boards with the slogan, "Start talking before they start drinking," and informational brochures on substance abuse.
   "The slogan is part of a nationwide initiative to combat underage drinking which is being sponsored by the United States surgeon general and the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration," said Municipal Alliance Chairwoman Cindy Britt.
   The Manville PBA donates money to help cover the costs of the event, which is paid for by the borough.
   There is no rain date, Mr. Armstrong said.