Civic leaders partnered with local businesses to present the 2013 Robbinsville Township Community Festival at Robbinsville Township Community Park.
By Jennifer Kohlhepp, Special Writer
ROBBINSVILLE — Township residents celebrated their community with a festival on Sunday.
Civic leaders partnered with local businesses to present the 2013 Robbinsville Township Community Festival at Robbinsville Township Community Park. The festival, which was supposed to take place on June 8, was postponed a day due to heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Andrea.
The weather couldn’t have been nicer for the festival. Residents gathered in the sunshine on the lush grass at Community Park, where they enjoyed a day of music, food and family fun while also taking some time to get to know many of the businesses, charities and organizations that operate in Robbinsville.
”It’s a great day of fun for families to come and see what’s going on in our community and to find out about things they didn’t know about in our community. It’s a good opportunity to connect with people,” said Pastor Dan Greco, of Lifetree Community Church.
Lifetree Community Church was one of approximately 30 local organizations that participated in the event. Others included the Robbinsville Police Department and members of the Robbinsville Fire Department, who greeted festival-goers and played games with attending children, and members of the Robbinsville Municipal Alliance for the Prevention of Substance Abuse, who gave out literature about the alliance’s services and how to keep kids substance free.
Alliance member Sue Kratz said Community Day is great.
”It brings people together and gives residents a chance to see what we’re all about,” Ms. Kratz said.
Younger community members also took part in the day’s events. Girl Scout Troop 70917 had the opportunity to raise awareness about spaying and neutering pets during Community Day. Scouts Daniella Zapicchi and Jennifer Mavroudakis said their troop welcomed the chance to use their booth to raise funds for local animal shelters.
”We got to greet a lot of people,” Daniella said.
”It’s good weather for being outside,” Jennifer added.
While many of the participants’ booths offered educational and informational materials, just as many offered fun and games. Roma Bank had a pair of clowns greeting families and offering children free face paintings.
There were a number of activities for children to enjoy, including a rock wall, inflatable rides, spin art, pony rides, games, a trackless train and balloon artists. Live music also filled the park all day with performances by the Robbinsville High School Jazz Band, the Billy Walton Band and the Ernie White Band.
The bands were sponsored by the Robbinsville Fieldhouse and the Route 130 Car Wash Express Lube, while the fireworks that capped off the day’s events were sponsored by Roma Bank and Investors Bank. The MidJersey Chamber of Commerce sponsored Prize Alley, where families played games of chance and took home toys and other prizes.
The 2013 Robbinsville Township Community Festival gave residents the chance to kick back, relax and enjoy their community thanks to the efforts of the mayor and Township Council, municipal organizations, local businesses and countless volunteers.