Plans are well under way for the North Brunswick 34th Annual Heritage Day, which will take place on Sept. 24 from 1-9 p.m. at the North Brunswick Community Park on Route 130 south, near the Renaissance Shopping Plaza. Rain date is Sept. 25. The event is designed to celebrate North Brunswick’s history and the rich heritage of the people who live there.
Andrew Zastko, broker-owner of Gloria Zastko, Realtors, has been involved with Heritage Day for the past 26 years, and has had the privilege of chairing this township-wide event for the past 18 years.
“I want to give recognition to all committee members who work on a voluntary basis throughout the year, and of course, on the day of the event, and to the township workers who volunteer their time and efforts,” Zastko said.
This year’s event features the music of local bands, dancing, food, rides, petting zoo, horse and buggy rides, and pony rides. The bands who will take the stage include Segunda Quimbamba (Folkloric), Barynaya (Russian, Cossack, Siberian, Ukrainian, Gypsy, French Can-Can Cabaret, and Jewish dance), David Cedeno (Latin Salsa), and Valerie and the Dimensions (Jazz).
The second Heritage Day Idol competition will showcase the talent of local musicians.
There will also be a kids’ tent with crafts, dancers, Mad Science, drummer workshop, Indian dance workshop and an African dance workshop.
Winners for the Heritage Day Art Competition will be chosen at 5 p.m. Art will be on display all day. The Ann Marie Chandlee Heritage Day Award ceremony will be held at 7 p.m.
The ceremony will be followed by a performance from Rivers Monroe Band, and the night ends with a fireworks display.
The event is made possible by grant funding from the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, The Heritage Commission and New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Dept. of State.
Spaces are still available for crafters, food vendors, business vendors, and local organizations. For more information or to obtain a vendor application, call the Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services at 732-247-0922 ext. 475 or visit www.northbrunswicknj.gov.
Gloria Zastko, Realtors’ staff members will be assisting visitors with free horse and buggy rides, as they have been for the past 26 years since the agency was established. The firm will be giving away yellow “Go Green” bags, pens, and other paraphernalia.
For information about buying or selling a home, or for more information about the event, call Gloria Zastko, Realtors at 732-297-0600 or visit www.zastko.com. The firm is located at 1582 Route 130 in North Brunswick.