By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Buoyed by the success of the 2015 and 2016 versions of Montgomery FunFest and aiming to continue the tradition, the Montgomery Township business community is gearing up for the third annual Montgomery FunFest on Sept. 10 at the Princeton Airport.
The community festival, which drew more than 10,000 attendees last year, will be held from noon to 5 p.m. at the airport, which is on Route 206. Admission is free.
There is a charge for parking. VIP parking tags may be purchased in advance for $10 cash at the Tiger’s Tale, 1st Constitution Bank in Rocky Hill, and Volition Wellness Solutions – or $15 on the day of the event.
Parking is available on the grass at the airport for $5, cash only. There is free parking across the street from the Princeton Airport at the Wall Street office park. A shuttle bus will deliver fair-goers to the hospitality tent.
The goal of the event is to connect individuals, families, schools, local businesses and nonprofit groups to celebrate the community. Organizers want to showcase the best that Montgomery has to offer.
"Our goal is to create a town tradition that residents won’t want to miss," said Jean Robinson, president of the Montgomery Business Association and the FunFest chairman.
"We appreciate that so many local business members, restaurants and community organizations contribute to the event’s success," said Robinson, who also is the executive director of Volition Wellness Solutions.
More than 100 booths will be set up to showcase the local businesses, art, contemporary crafts, culinary delights and games of chance. There will be amusement rides and games for children.
The opening ceremony will feature the Montgomery High School Marching Band performing "The Star-Spangled Banner," followed by remarks from Robinson and Montgomery Township officials.
The Montgomery High School Drum Line will lead the march to the festivities.
There will be lots and lots of food, including bratwurst, funnel cakes, barbeque, falafel, hots dogs, wood-fired pizza, calzones, stromboli, ice cream, kettle corn and cupcakes.
Businesses will be on display, as well as nonprofit groups that range from the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to the Montgomery Basketball Association, the Montgomery Baseball League, the Montgomery/Rocky Hill Rotary Club and the Montgomery Women’s Club.
The Radio 101.5 van will entertain and host contests with prizes, from 1 to 3 p.m. School groups and dance studio students will perform for attendees.
Live music will be provided by Acoustic Road, The Shaxe, RockXchange and GoodWorks.
Games of skill, children’s activities, helicopter rides, a rock wall and inflatable obstacle courses will be available for attendees. Fire trucks and classic cars will on display, in addition to planes and helicopters.
"Last year’s FunFest enabled the Montgomery Business Association to award five scholarships for $1,000 apiece to graduating Montgomery High School seniors. We hope our success this year will allow us to award even more scholarships," Robinson said.
