By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Community Day, which is Lawrence Township’s annual celebration of itself, is set for Sunday at Village Park, off Gordon Avenue and Bergen Street.
The 18th annual Community Day, which will run from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., puts the spotlight on community groups and businesses, said Steven Groeger, the township’s superintendent of recreation.
There is no rain date for the free event, which is organized by the Lawrence Township Recreation Department.
To kick off the event, the nonprofit Lawrence Township Community Foundation plans to hold its second annual Walk This Way hike on the Lawrence Hopewell Trail at 11 a.m. Registration starts at 10 a.m. at Village Park, and costs $20 for an individual and $30 for a family.
The first Community Day was held at the Municipal Building in 1992 in preparation for Lawrence Township’s tri-centennial celebration in 1997, Mr. Groeger said. The tri-centennial event marked the 300th anniversary of the township’s founding in 1697.
”There was no community-wide event until 1992,” he said. “The underlying theme of Community Day has been ‘community.’ It is about what is available to the residents from service organizations that may be looking for volunteers, to businesses (that seek to introduce themselves to prospective customers).”
Community Day is not intended to be a carnival, although there will be food and some entertainment for children, Mr. Groeger said. A juggler and magician will be on hand. The juggler will perform at 1:30 p.m., and the magician will perform at 2:30 p.m.
There will be pony rides sponsored by the Lawrence Township Education Association and old-fashioned hayrides in the park, compliments of the township Department of Public Works, he said.
The Lawrence Township Police Department will offer demonstrations of its K-9 team between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The Police Department also will take fingerprints of children for help in identifying them, if necessary.
At 1 p.m., the Lawrence High School Red Scare Marching Band will perform.
Meanwhile, community groups and businesses will set up booths to introduce themselves to visitors.
The Lawrence Hamnett Soccer Association, the Lawrenceville Stingrays swim team, and the Lawrence Township Junior Baseball/Softball Association will have booths at Community Day.
Girl Scout Troops 71452 and 71526 will have booths, as will the MOMS Clubs of Lawrenceville both east and west divisions. The Lawrence Hopewell Trail and the Lawrence Nature Center plan to have booths, too.
HomeFront, the Lawrence Community Center, the Every Child Valued program and Womanspace will be represented with booths.
The Lawrence Township Education Foundation, Lawrence Hadassah, the Harvest Chapel Church and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church are setting up booths, as are Rider Sustainability and Sustainable Lawrence.
The Easel Animal Rescue League, the Lawrence Historical Society, Anchor House Inc., Meals on Wheels and Morris Hall Assisted Living plan to set up shop.
The Green Party of Lawrence Township, as well as the Lawrence Township Republican Club, are going to be represented. The Lawrence chapter of the League of Women Voters plans to have a booth, also.
Businesses, such as Final Touch Car Spa, PenLar Pharmacy, Plumb Chiropractic Center, Princeton Chiropractic Associates, Photo Haven, Roma Bank and Mary Kaye Cosmetics will have booths.
If all of those activities make visitors work up an appetite, there will be plenty of food available. The Lawrence Township Federation of Police Lodge 209 will sell sausage sandwiches and birch beer, and Dino’s Café will offer funnel cake.
Fired Up Events will offer Italian hot dogs, steaks and zeppolis, and fresh roasted peanuts will be offered by Wayne’s Fresh Roasted Peanuts. Cub Scout Pack 29 will sell popcorn, and an ice cream truck will be on hand.
There is parking on the streets around Village Park, and in the parking lots off Yeger Drive and Gordon Avenue. Those who can walk or ride a bicycle are encouraged to do so, Mr. Groeger said.
If the weather looks questionable, visitors can find out whether Community Day has been canceled by checking the Lawrence Township Web site at www.lawrencetwp.com, or by calling the Lawrence Township Recreation Department at (609) 844-7067. The information will be posted by 10 a.m. Sunday.

