September 20 Franklin Day Festival in Colonial Park to Bring Something Fun for Everyone

By Susan Rash
SOMERSET, N.J., September 5, 2014 — Live music, vendors, artists, craftspeople, dance performances, great food, children’s activities and more will entertain attendees at the Franklin Day Festival on Saturday, September 20 from 12-7 p.m. All are invited to bring a lawn chair or a blanket to relax, have fun and enjoy a picnic at the festival to be held in the beautiful, scenic Colonial Park.
"This year’s premier event is expected to have a little something for everyone — from music lovers to art lovers,” said Councilwoman Rozalyn Sherman, and Arts Council founder. “The Arts Council’s motto is ‘Bringing Our Community Together through the Arts.’ It’s a festival that will appeal to many different interests.”
The event will feature family-friendly, upbeat music to get the crowd moving and dancing.  Bands include power pop rockers Windsor Circle, the Caribbean-infused pop music of DNA, the rock and soul sounds of GoodWorks, rock band Mid Life Crisis, and the classic rock band Suburban Knights. The Community Fellowship Mass Choir of Somerset directed by Gabriel Cordeiro will feature songs from several gospel artists.  
Among the musical talent is hip hop/hip pop rhythmical poet Substance, who just debuted her single "TWIM – The Wiz In Me," which spreads her zero-tolerance, anti-bullying campaign message. Substance has performed on stages in New York, Virginia and Costa Rica, and her music has been heard nationwide on the radio. 
The festival will include original artwork, photography, handmade crafts, and other vendors. One featured craftsman is Lee Johnson of Lee’s Leathercraft. Lee began leather work in 1955 as a child. Upon his retirement in 2009, he decided to make his avocation a small business creating hand-tooled purses, wallets, belts, slippers and other personalized items. 
The festival will feature a variety of entertainment for all ages including face painters, a caricaturist, mimes who will pose for photos with children and families, and a wide selection of food. To keep children busy and happy, the festival will have games and crafts as well as a fire truck, police car and ambulance to explore, and a “Wizard Bounce House” from AeroChampion.
Attendees will also enjoy kickboxing, Zumba, salsa and karate demonstrations, as well as instructional performances from Ginger Haithcox dance school, Modern Motion, and a performance from BAMSOPA Disney Dance Showcase Ensemble.
Thanks to Township Manager Bob Vornlocker, the township will host a tent with representatives from Franklin’s various municipal departments as part of its outreach effort to the community. Festival attendees can visit a Red Bull truck for a free drink or the St. Peter’s University Hospital mobile health unit.
 “As a leading equal housing lender based in Somerset for almost 20 years, we are proud to support the Franklin Day Festival as both a sponsor and by taking an active role in planning the event. We are committed to our community as both a mortgage lender and as corporate citizens,” says Evelyn Garcia, Bi-lingual Senior Loan Officer (NMLS # 215426) of First Hallmark Mortgage Corp. (Co. NMLS # 54544).
The Arts Council has produced such local events as photo exhibits, several events commemorating the 150th Emancipation Proclamation Anniversary, poetry readings, artist and crafter displays at the Franklin library, and Doo Wop and jazz concerts. 
The Franklin Day Festival will be held on Saturday, September 20 from 12 – 7 p.m. at Colonial Park (near the children’s playground – Lot C). Cars can enter the park via Elizabeth Avenue or Mettlers Road.  To learn more, visit Franklin Township Cultural Arts Council’s website FranklinCAC.org, Facebook and Twitter:   @FranklinCAC or email: [email protected].