By Maria Prato-Gaines, Staff Writer
MONROE For the first time in 16 years, Octoberfest was rescheduled because of last weekend’s weather conditions, leaving organizers the task of calling vendors, sending out fliers to the school, changing signage and searching out publicity.
”We actually made the call on Thursday night so we could let everyone know,” said Jeanne Crawley, a program supervisor at the community center, the township organization sponsoring the event. “Hopefully it will be a beautiful sunny day on Nov. 1.”
Although the date has changed, the details remain the same with the free, rain-or-shine event running from noon to 4 p.m. at its usual locale, the Monroe Township Community Center, 120 Monmouth Road.
”We’ll have many vendors craft vendors, food vendors, face painting,” Ms. Crawley said. “We’re packed with vendors up and down Monmouth Road.”
Organizers are taking an unusual approach to renting space to these vendors as well, she said.
”We ask vendors for a donation in the form of supermarket gift cards,” Ms. Crawley said. “Those cards are given to needy families for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.”
Along with the vendors, the Enviro-Mobile, the Monroe Library Bookmobile and the Fire Department’s burn house will be on site for the public to view and tour.
For the kiddies, the Community Center has brought in pony rides, inflatable rides and a magic show, while the Mother’s Club will host a pumpkin-painting booth, Ms. Crawley said.
With the event drawing thousands of visitors and residents each year, Ms. Crawley said she expects Octoberfest to once again live up to its reputation.
”You invite the same people back each year and then new ones show up,” she said. “(The crowd) gets bigger every year. It’s a great day to come out with the family.”
For more information contact the organizers at the Recreation Department at (732) 723-5000.
