By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
Cranbury Day, what began as a sidewalk sale and evolved into an outdoor event attracting crowds from the region, returns Sept.9 for another edition of food and entertainment.
The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine, on North Main Street between Westminster Place and Scott Avenue.
Through the morning and afternoon, crowds will be able to eat hot dogs and other food, check the vendors and organizations at their tables and even hop on a helicopter for a ride above town.
Organizers say Cranbury Day is a slice of small town Americana, complete with pony rides, rubber ducky races and a dog dress-up contest followed by a parade for the pooches.
The day’s history dates to the 1970s, from a sidewalk sale.
“Cranbury Day has evolved over the years,” said Christine Thompson, co-chairwoman. “And it started just because a couple of businesses had some extra merchandise (and) decided to put it out on the sidewalk.”
From those humble origins, the Cranbury Business Association, the sponsor of Cranbury Day, helped build the event to what it is today.
“It’s becomes this community event, you see people that you probably only see once or twice a year,” said Thomspon.
“And over the years, we’ve tried to improve Cranbury Day, to add new things, to (spice) it up, to make it more interesting and attract more people,” said fellow co-chairwoman Beth Veghte.
Today, Cranbury Day draws crowds from East Windsor and other communities in the region. Other local organizations tie in events to the day as well.
For example, St. David’s Episcopal Church is having a rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with proceeds going to charity.
Meanwhile, the Cranbury Arts Council is having a scavenger hunt, called “Art and Go Seek,” in which individuals or teams of up to four people can compete. Entrants have a week, starting Sept. 2, to “complete as many items or tasks as possible,” said Cyndy Coppotelli, secretary of the Arts Council. The hunt will end on Cranbury Day, with the submission deadline at 1 p.m.
“This is kind of a media scavenger hunt, so they will submit all their entries by email, either photographs or video, of them doing whatever a task or item is on a list,” Coppotelli said.
There is a $5 entry fee per person, with the winner or winning team getting $100, to be awarded on Cranbury Day.
Also among the day’s participants will be the Cranbury Cub Scout Pack 52, which will have a table and offer information about Scouting. Among the future events for Pack 52 include Parent Orientation Night from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, in the Scout Room downstairs at Cranbury Town Hall; and the Kickoff/Cookout/Campfire/Camp out at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at the West Property.
Information on Cranbury Day can be found at www.cranburyartscouncil.org.
