Lawrence celebrates Community Day in perfect weather

By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
   Nicola Boisson couldn’t decide what he liked most about Community Day — the tattoo he received, courtesy of the Lawrence Township Education Foundation, or the performance of the Lawrence High School Red Scare marching band.
   Nicola, who is 5, was among the thousands of visitors to Lawrence Township’s annual Community Day in Village Park. Many visitors were drawn to the park by the warm temperatures and sunny skies.
   Nicola’s mother, Catrina Boisson, said this is the second time the family has attended Community Day. The event, which reminded her of an old-fashioned fair, makes the world seem to slow down a little bit, she said.
   ”(Community Day) is a chance to do something fun with the children,” Ms. Boisson said. “You can find things for the children (to do). That’s the reason you live in a small community.”
   Groups as diverse as the Friends of Carson Road Woods, the Lawrence Hamnett Soccer Association, Sustainable Lawrence and the Lawrence Township Education Foundation, set up shop in booths that lined the asphalt walkway that winds through Village Park.
   The groups all offered visitors information about their respective organizations. The Lawrence Historical Society offered sweatshirts for sale. The Lawrence Lighting youth football team sold jerseys, as well as food, to raise money for the group.
   The three volunteer fire companies — Lawrenceville, Lawrence Road and Slackwood — each brought a fire truck to show to Community Day visitors. Capital Health System parked an ambulance on the grass inside the park.
   But there was more to Community Day than booths.
   Visitors could watch demonstrations by children who take part in World KM Tae Kwon Do. Young gymnasts showed off the skills they learned at Schafer’s School of Gymnastics.
   Juggler and magician Tim Marchetti performed magic tricks and also juggled plates on the end of a pole, to the delight of children and their parents. He pulled a spike through a balloon without popping it.
   ”What’s the magic word?” Mr. Marchetti asked the audience as he prepared a magic trick.
   ”Abracadabra,” they responded in unison, as Mr. Marchetti turned three small ropes into a long one.
   Meanwhile, Township Superintendent of Recreation Steven Groeger said he was pleased with the turnout Sunday afternoon. It was a beautiful day and the nice weather drew people to Village Park, he said.
   ”If you looked at the crowd, you had young children in strollers, young teens, high school students, adults and senior citizens. They were coming out to see what’s available to them and to see their friends. (Holding Community Day) just seems like the right thing to do,” he said.