By Mary Ellen Day, Special Writer
A variety of games and challenges await attendees to Manville’s 14th annual Community Day on Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. at Lincoln Park in Lost Valley.
Community Day started in 2000 by the Mayor and Borough Council as a way to bring the town together after being hit by Hurricane Floyd in September 1999. It was a way to show community togetherness after Manville suffered such a loss and had gone through a tough time.
The rain date will be Sunday.
"We have many activities that will be going on the entire day including free food, music with DJ Sparx, hayrides, inflatables, football toss, four-square fun, soccer, volleyball, tattoos, sand art, rainbow loom bracelets and fire hose fun," said Recreation Director Stephanie Cornelson. "We are going to be using the street again but we’re also going to spread out a little more into the fields. We will have a soccer field lined for residents to play against one another, two Four Square courts taped out on the street and we’ll also be using the basketball court."
Putting together a community for the whole town is quite a job but with a great group of people, it can be done.
"I’m proud to say we have about 35 volunteers who are willing to work the entire day. We also have volunteers coming from ABIS Student Council, MHS Lady Mustangs soccer team and MHS football team who will be there at intervals throughout the day," Ms. Cornelson said.
"We do have a few new events this year that we’re excited about," said Ms. Cornelson, "like the MYAL Cheerleaders halftime show and the Amazing Race competition. Residents will be able to register and learn about the events once they arrive."
They are also in the process of putting together a chili cookoff.
Several organizations that will be part of the day include the Boy Scouts, MYAL, Elks, PBA, Fire Department, Rescue Squad, ABIS Student Council, school board, Public Works, CERT, Somerset County Board of Health, VFW, Somerset County Animal Shelter, PTSA and the Public Library.
Businesses that have made a donation to sponsor the event include Screen Styles, Manville PBA, The Farmer & the Chickpea, Adam’s Pizza, Manville Pizza, Gatto’s, MYAL, Nittoli’s on Main, Ted’s Market, Drewby’s and Manville Credit Union.
A few scheduled events will take place at certain times:
1 p.m.: Basketball shoot-out;
2: MYAL cheerleaders performing their halftime show;
2:30: Amazing Race competition;
3 p.m.: Adult home run derby;
3:30: Egg toss, and
4: Watermelon eating contest. There will be free food hamburgers and hotdogs and Nittoli’s on Main will give out Italian ices.
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and sunscreen and come socialize with neighbors in town, get some food and have some fun.
"The committee (with chairperson Dennis Petti) has worked hard with the support of our mayor and town council and we’re excited to be a part of an event where we are able to give back to our town and its residents. We’re looking forward to a fun-filled day," Ms. Cornelson said.

