By Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Staff Writer
Children had a wonderful time playing and dancing in the streets of Palmer Square at jaZams Block Party celebrating the toy store’s 15th birthday on Friday night.
”It’s great they have this to bring the whole community together, “ said Alison Scozzaro of Princeton as her 2-year-old son hugged and played with Wade, an Ugly Doll character that is sold in the toy store. “He could probably stay at this one thing the whole time and be happy.”
Children and their families ate pizza from Hopewell’s Nomad Pizza, ice cream from the Bent Spoon, had their hair sprayed crazy colors by Salon Pure and danced to Alex & the Kaleidoscope Band.
”We are having a blast,” said Kim Lehrfeld of Lawrence, who was attending with her 3-year-old son.
One popular lady was Joanne Farrugia, the owner of jaZams, who was wearing a hoop skirt with pockets full of treats for the children.
The first block party took place in June 2003.
”We’ve always done a celebration when we started with our first birthday party,” she said. “We would have a big party at the store.”
The block party tradition began with a Harry Potter party to celebrate the release of one of the books in the series about the boy wizard.
”We asked these other retailers if they would set up a booth in our Diagon Alley,” she said. “That’s how it all started. We do it as a nice community service and a give back. Hopefully, it puts us on the map so people remember us for a birthday orb Christmas present.”
”When I was a child I loved my carnival, it is one of the things I remember,” she said, noting that none of the surrounding towns have old-fashioned carnivals any more. “Kids need memories.”
A free screening of “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium” took place on the green at dusk.
Other participants included: Arts Council of Princeton, Kitchen Kapers, Olsson’s Fine Foods, Princeton Public Library, Princeton Soup & Sandwich Co., Stone Soup Circus, Teresa Caffe, Thomas Sweet Chocolate and Winberie’s Restaurant & Bar.
