Annual fete brings smiles to many faces
By:Vanessa S. Holt
BORDENTOWN CITY — City residents know that summer unofficially begins with the Bordentown Street Fair. When kids come home with butterflies painted on their cheeks, clutching bottles of colorful sand, summer vacation can’t be too far behind.
The Street Fair isn’t just for kids, though. The assortment of fine art, homemade crafts, antiques and curios is a draw for all ages.
For the past 23 years, the weather has cooperated on the weekend of the Street Fair. Event organizers hope this Saturday and Sunday will be no exception, when the fair will take over parts of Farnsworth Avenue and Walnut Street with arts, crafts, food and fun.
The fair is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.
“It should be quite exciting this year,” said Debbie Baldwin, owner of the Country Craft Depot on Farnsworth Avenue and second vice president of the Greater Bordentown Area Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the annual event.
Handmade dolls, Native American crafts, furniture, florals, needlework, birdhouses, jewelry, Victorian wreaths, ceramics, candles, artwork in pastels and pen and ink, wooden toys and pottery are among the wares that vendors from New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania will have for sale.
“It’s hard on the vendors; it takes a special person,” said Ms. Baldwin. The hard work on the weekend is worth it though, she said, because the fair is always a big hit with kids.
“The children enjoy it tremendously, they have such a good time, no matter how much work it is,” said Ms. Baldwin. “Those smiles melt your heart.”
Local businesses, including banks and car dealerships, help to sponsor the event and “get it up and off the ground,” said Ms. Baldwin.
“They work well together,” she said. “The city workers have gone over and beyond to get ready for the Street Fair. They’re doing it after hours, after they’re off the clock.”
Many businesses along the main strip will bring their merchandise outside, and area restaurants will have food available outdoors as well.
The Farnsworth House Restaurant will feature chicken kebabs, Jenna’s Gourmet will have hand-dipped ice cream available, and Oliver’s will offer their “famous wrap sandwiches,” said Ms. Baldwin.
“You can go from fine dining to delis,” she added.
About 135 crafters, nonprofit groups and Chamber of Commerce members will participate.
A favorite feature of the past few years has been the Walnut Street “Kiddie Corner,” which will feature face painting, a dunk tank, children’s games, pony rides, a moonwalk, and youth ministry, said Chamber of Commerce secretary Debbie Pavlovsky.
Artful Deposit and the Firehouse Gallery also will be open to the public, and sign-ups for summer art camp at the Firehouse Gallery will be accepted.
Radio station WNJO will broadcast live from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The MacFarland Junior High School Band will perform Saturday by the Farmers and Mechanics Bank from 10 to 11 a.m.
Other featured acts will include demonstrations by the Green Dragon Karate School, and by “The Wiz” in front of the Farnsworth House, who will perform popular music both days of the fair.
About a dozen students from Notre Dame High School will be volunteering their time this year as they dress up in popular cartoon character costumes to entertain younger kids.
“Those people work tremendously,” said Ms. Pavlovsky. “We put them in for 20 minutes at a time, then they have to be out for a half-hour.” The students work in shifts so no one gets worn out.
Characters this year will include “Woody” from Toy Story, “Pokemon” character Pikachu, Bugs Bunny, and PBS character “Arthur” the aardvark.
Farnsworth Avenue will be closed to traffic during the fair hours from Park to Federal streets, and Walnut Street also will be closed to traffic.
Parking will be available at Carslake Community Center on Crosswicks Street, with shuttle buses running every 15 to 20 minutes. The drop-off location will be at the corner of Second and Crosswicks streets, which is about half a block from the Street Fair.