MANVILLE: Leaner Community Day still promises a good time

By: Eileen Oldfield, Staff Writer
MANVILLE – This year’s Community Day, set for Saturday, is a two-part celebration – in addition to celebrating Manville, organizers will also be recognizing the rescue squad’s 75th Anniversary.
"We’ve combined community day with the celebration of the Manville Rescue Squad’s 75th Anniversary," Ed Komoroski, one of the Community Day organizers and borough councilman, said. "It’s sort of a ‘two-for-one.’"
"This was done in conjunction with the Manville Recreation Department and the mayor and Borough Council," he added. "We really want to notice the Rescue Squad during the course of the day, too. It’s an important day for them, and they are all volunteers."
The day will start with a parade from Borough Hall to Lincoln Park at noon, where the festivities will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., he added. The borough scheduled Sunday as a rain date, however, organizers are hoping for good weather.
"We have Sunday for a rain date, but if it’s spotty showers, we are still going to do it (Saturday)," Mr. Komoroski said. "Heavy rain, and we’ll delay it til Sunday."
The day will feature booths run by local businesses, games, a DJ, food, and other activities, Mr. Komoroski said. The entire day is free for those attending. Local organizations, including the school district, Rescue Squad, Fire Departments, Police Department, Recreation Department, and others, will have booths or demonstrations at the event, too.
Other attractions include a hot dog eating contest – where reigning-champion and Weston School Principal Don Frank will defend his title – and a chili cook-off between local restaurants, and a possible buffalo wing tasting contest, Mr. Komoroski added.
Budget cuts prevented some of the activities done in the past, like the firework show that would normally conclude the day. The tradition, which began following Hurricane Floyd, continues despite the cuts, however.
"It’s a bonding ritual that we’ve been doing," Mr. Komoroski said. "We’ve cut back on some of the things due to budget cuts, but we are still doing it. That’s the important thing."
"Manville’s a close-knit community," he added. "We all have a good time."