If spirits during last year’s short-lived Manalapan Under the Stars community event were dampened by downpours, this year’s get-together on June 12 clearly atoned for that disappointment, giving way to sunshine and happiness all around.
In what may have been the most successful Manalapan Under the Stars event to date — with total attendance at the Manalapan Recreation Center estimated at close to 20,000 people throughout the afternoon and evening — the volunteers who gave their time and effort to planning and running the event were basking in the successful outcome.
According to Marty Gelfond, who co-chairs the Manalapan Heritage Committee as head of fundraising with Hank Grassi, who is in charge of entertainment, “The Heritage Committee takes the lead on Manalapan Under the Stars, but we by no means work alone.
“There is coordination with recreation, health, fire, police, emergency management, public works and administration. It becomes one big team before, during and after (the event). Equipment is borrowed from the county public works and sheriff’s departments. Our television (station) volunteers also work on that day to record the event.”
In addition to Gelfond and Grassi, the Heritage Committee members are Clyde Braunstein, Francine Cedeno, Diana Cochran, Kathleen Donohue, Maryann Geradty, Nick Grassi, Barry Jacobson, Adam Kaufman, Scott Leitstein, Hal Levy, Andrea McPherson, Barbara Miller, Peter Miller, Jennifer Sutera and Steve Sutera.
Township Committeewoman Susan Cohen is the liaison.
Other volunteers who helped the Heritage Committee that day included Eli Cohen, Timothy Leitstein, Michelle Leitstein, Courtney McPherson, Alexander McPherson, Aria John, Russell Isom, Jake Shames, D.J. Orlando, Jackie Sutera, Jaimee Tackney and Lauren Sutera.
“This was my seventh [Manalapan Under the Stars] and the best one yet,” Gelfond said.
Organizers used the Manalapan Recreation Center’s recently expanded section, which afforded the ability to spread things out and place vendors along a paved pathway.
At the height of the event the grounds of the park were swarming with people of all ages enjoying an array of activities that included inflatable play equipment, pony rides, games of chance, exhibits, strolling characters, and of course eating lots of goodies being sold by vendors. New this year was a children’s carnival section.
Attendees made donations to the Samaritan Center, a local food pantry that serves Manalapan, Englishtown, Marlboro and Millstone Township.
Main stage entertainment featured performances by dancers from ICON Dance Complex of Englishtown, as well as Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Freehold, and opening band Speed Limit, with members hailing from Manalapan.
Oldies radio station WCBS-FM had its street team on site to help welcome headliner Tommy James and the Shondells singing hits like “Mony, Mony,” “Crimson and Clover” and “Hanky Panky,” as the audience received them warmly with cheers and a standing ovation.
The evening was capped off by a professional fireworks display and plenty of “oohs” and “aahs.”
Manalapan police officers exhibited a strong presence at the event, keeping vehicle and pedestrian traffic moving smoothly with finesse, professionalism and even good humor, when appropriate.
Local business owners and individuals who stepped up to sponsor the event were the backbone without which the fair may not have happened. In past years the township has contributed to Manalapan Under the Stars, but there was no funding in the 2010 budget.
It is unclear what will happen next year.
“We will really need sponsors if the event is to survive another year,” said Gelfond. “Next year will depend on funding. We cannot keep the bar raised this high without additional funding.
“We have been building our dedicated trust fund for several years. In the past few years, fundraising was greater than what the township gave us, and that’s what enabled us to raise the bar.
“Acts like Tommy James, Micky Dolenz, Al Jardine and Peter Noone are expensive, especially when you add in all the supporting costs that go with these concerts. We can’t spend or contract for funds not already in our account, so if you want a Manalapan Under the Stars next year of similar size and intensity, tell your Township Committee or volunteer to help make it happen.”
Gelfond said although unexpected curves are bound to happen at all events, the trick is to make it appear as if everything is going smoothly and he thinks everyone on the committee did a good job.
“As long as people are enjoying themselves, mission accomplished,” said Gelfond. “I was truly in awe when I saw the steady flow of people streaming into the park from several directions. I was so pleased and proud that so many were there and enjoying themselves. We hope everyone had a great time.
“People ask us why we do this,” he continued. “Believe me, there’s plenty of aggravation and so much time and effort involved, but when we have crowds like that with plenty of people of all ages having a great time, that’s what keeps us going.”
Anyone who would like information about volunteering for and/or sponsoring next year’s Manalapan Under the Stars event may call the township administrator’s office at 732-446-8303.