Yearly event slated for Aug. 20
By:Eric Schwarz
The borough street fair is returning this year after a one-year absence.
The fair will run along both sides of South Main Street and the street itself from Camplain Road to the railroad bridge south of Brooks Boulevard from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 20.
The rain date is Aug. 27.
"The street fair looks like it’s going to be a big success," said Mary Tabbit, president of the Manville Business and Professional Association, which is organizing the fair.
Crowds of 10,000 to 15,000 are expected to enjoy a car show, kiddie rides, face painting and dozens of vendors including crafters and merchants.
Entertainment will include a polka band and disc jockeys.
The foods will include shish kebabs, Polish, Ukrainian, Italian and Mexican specialties, as well as American standbys like ice cream, hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza and roast beef.
There will also be a display of the revitalization plans for Manville being designed by a committee and consultants from Brown and Keener Urban Design of Philadelphia.
And Sherri’s bar, 52 S. Main St., will have a benefit at 2 p.m. for Kristi Pope, 10, who suffers from a brain cyst. The karaoke event has a $5 cover charge.
Free rides will be offered at the parking lot of Dunkin’ Donuts/Pizzatina, said Martin Wierzba, the pizza shop manager.
They will include a moon walk balloon attraction and one or two others, Mr. Wierzba said.
"We’re still working on getting a pony ride," he said Wednesday. "I was working on getting a tethered hot air balloon, but no luck as of yet on that."
The New Brunswick radio stations, WCTC-AM 1450 and WMGQ-FM 98.3 will give out prizes throughout the day, Mr. Wierzba said.
The Manville street fair started in 1993. This year’s event will be the first after the Aug. 20, 1999, death of Thomas J. Kaschak.
Mr. Kaschak, who owned several businesses in town, chaired the first few fairs and the borough’s beautification committee.
His sister, Betty Cowen, was looking forward to this year’s event to showcase the beautification projects Mr. Kaschak worked on, and said the fair has gotten bigger every year.
Ms. Cowen used to run the Centre Shop clothing store which closed about three-and-a-half years ago.