planned for annual fest
Manalapan Recreation Center
to host community celebration
Games, food, fireworks
planned for annual fest
By dave benjamin
Staff Writer
MANALAPAN — There will be stars and stripes on the fields at the Manalapan Recreation Center on Saturday.
"Manalapan Under the Stars and Stripes," the community’s annual celebration, will be held from 5-10 p.m. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 6 p.m.
"As a longtime Manalapan resident and now one of the chairpeople on the heritage committee, it is a pleasure to just be part of a very small group of volunteers who put together a very large party for our residents," said Donna Giustino, chairwoman of the heritage committee. "All of us on the committee have worked tirelessly to organize this event. We tried very hard to think of something for every member of the family to do. Our hope is that all of Manalapan’s residents come out to enjoy what we hope will be a fun-filled family day!"
Joining Giustino with all of the planning are the event’s committee members: Township Committeewoman Rebecca Aaronson, the liaison from the governing body; Fran Raniere, recording secretary; and committee members Maureen Castel-lani, Gloria Close, Mazie Frenkiel, Hank Grassi, Denny Kirschner, Gail McCor-mack, Barbara Miller, Joanne Orr, Dotty Porcaro, Walter Stein, Sandra Wishart, Laura Essner, Scott Elbert, Donna Giustino, Rosalie DiMaiuta and Lou Langlais.
Members of the New York Rangers will be at the event from 5:30-8:30 p.m. signing autographs. Additionally, some of the athletes will be on hand to host several games at the event.
Seventh-grader Amanda Philips will start the ball rolling at the festivities by singing "The Star-Spangled Banner."
The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District will have several groups on hand to begin their performances at 5 p.m. The Pine Brook School jazz band, under the direction of John Rusin, the Lafayette Mills School flutists, directed by Tara Wolfe, and a percussion ensemble directed by Dave Geltch are expected to perform.
The Manalapan-Englishtown regional schools’ choir will also be on hand to perform.
Main stage performances will feature Joe Arminio and The Family, and Joe Bonanno and the God Sons of Soul. The kids stage will have performances by the Mad Scientist and the Magical Songwriter.
Arts and crafts, and rides for children, teens and adults will be part of the event. Food vendors will provide plenty of choices for visitors. Door prizes have been donated by local businesses and will be given out to lucky winners.
The committee working on a community center project is expected to have a table at the event, seeking volunteers to work on the project.
"What a great way to bring the community of Manalapan together," Mayor Drew Shapiro said. "During times like these, it is very important that we all come (and) enjoy what this township has to offer. With the economy being like it is and the war overseas, it is very important that Manal-apan residents stay focused and share in the spirit of our town."
A fireworks display will cap the celebration.
On Saturday, Route 522 will be closed to traffic from Farm Tree Road to Tennent Road. A detour will be established which will include the following roads: Farm Tree Road between Route 522 and Elliot Road; Elliot Road between Farm Tree and Chaucer roads; and all of Chaucer Road. There will be no parking on those streets from noon to midnight Saturday.
Organizers thanked the Manalapan Police Department, the Englishtown-Man-alapan First Aid Squad, the Manalapan Fire Company, the Gordons Corner Fire Company and John Vitale for their efforts to ensure the event is a success.