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Community Corner

Jefferson Township Day - 25th anniversary celebration

Be part of Jefferson Township Day’s special 25th anniversary celebration this July 9! 

            Believe it or not, July 9th marks the silver anniversary of Jefferson Township Day; and the Jefferson Arts Committee is planning on making this year’s celebration bigger and better than ever to mark this special occasion.

         Plans are underway for an expanded township parade along Weldon Road beginning at 11 am.  Convertibles and classic vehicles will transport attending dignitaries; and right now, the lineup will be led by Town Crier Bill Joseph and the Jefferson Township High School’s Golden Falcons Marching Band.  The following groups will
be participating either as marchers, in vehicles, on bicycles, or on floats:   a Bicycle Parade and Contest overseen by the Joseph F. Lamb Knights of Columbus Council, Jefferson Township Fire Companies
No. 1 and No. 2, the Milton First Aid Squad, and the Jefferson Rescue Squad, The Military Transport Association of North Jersey, Tri-County Motorcycle Club, the NJSPCA, North Jersey Jeep Club, Sunshine Child Care, NJ Forest Fire Service, Jefferson Junior Women’s Club, Loving & Learning Christian Child Care, Oak Ridge Martial Arts, Fusion Drum & Bugle Corps, and the Milton Fire Company #1 Ladies Auxiliary. Weldon Road will be closed from approximately 10:30 am to 12 noon.

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           Children as well as adults are invited to participate in the annual Bicycle Parade and Contest by decorating their tricycle or bicycle in the colors of our country’s flag – red, white, and blue.  Then ride it proudly in the township parade at 11 AM along Weldon Road! The members of the Knights of Columbus Joseph F. Lamb Council #5510 in Milton/Oak Ridge will judge the contest; and trophies will be awarded after the parade for the “Most Original,” the “Funniest,” and the “Best Appearing.”  Medals will be given to all participants

            Following opening ceremonies on the main stage at approximately 12:15, live entertainment kicks in starting at 1 pm with a live mammal show by Wallaby Tales.  Families of all ages will enjoy this amazing, comical, and educational show presented by this state and federally licensed wildlife education program.

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            Jefferson Township Fire Company No. 1 will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a hose laying competition where up to eight fire companies from contiguous aid towns will compete to getting hose connected, water to the hose, and be the first to hit a target while wearing turn-out gear.  The competition begins at 1 pm.

            A new event this year will be food competition contests starting off at 1 pm with a Hot Dog Eating Contest to see how many hot dogs a participant can eat in 10 minutes.  Then at 1:30 pm, there will be a Watermelon Eating Contest.  Judges will decide who has entered the best pie in the pie baking contest at  2 pm and then onto the best chili in the Chili Bake Contest.  Prizes will be awarded.

            At 2:45 pm, the talented Jefferson Township Community Chorus under the direction of Cherwyn Ambuter with accompanist Margaret Brandell takes the stage.  The versatile musicians that compose the Jefferson Township Community Band and Jazz Band with director Pete Tummillo will then perform beginning at 3:30 pm.

            Young adult rock bands will be performing from 1 to 7 pm on their own special stage on the field near the baseball diamond. 
The performers scheduled to play beginning at 1 pm include Timelines, East Coast Blackout, Something Else, Gentleman Kaper, Sassy Athens, Above All Fallen, NJDOTS, Carbon, Steven Gough, Gladiators of 2037, Free Movie Tuesdays, and Fall to the Queen.  So,
be sure to stop by to hear some talented young musicians perform the music that they want to share.

            On the Pride of Jefferson stage area, local performers Diane’s Dance Academy 23 will perform at 12:40 pm.  Later on at 5 pm, members of Jefferson’s own Uncorked Improv Group will encourage audience participation in their comedy sketches. DJ Earl Heller will take the stage at 5:30 pm rocking out some awesome music.

             Phydeaux’s Flying Flea Circus will be roaming the field during the afternoon from 4 to 7 pm.

            Under the tent, Jinx the Clown and Juggler Bill Ceddia will be performing from 2 to 5 pm to delight children of all ages.    

               Throughout the day, everyone can enjoy eating at some 14 food vendor stands offering a wide variety of food, snacks, and beverages while shopping and getting information at some 80 arts,
crafts, merchandise, business, and service organization booths. 

            Climb, jump, and have fun on several huge inflatable activities from Moonwalk Entertainment that will be set up on the field including the Caterpillar Maze, a small and a giant Slide, the Train Ride, and the Pedestal Joust.

            In their own special tent, pre-schoolers through 5th graders can play at the Children’s Games of Skill and win prizes for their efforts. 

            A special attraction rolls onto the field from 2 to 7 pm where everyone can play the latest video games on xBox 360, PS3, and Wii in GaminRide’s mobile, self-contained, video game state-of-the-art 4D lounge theater that’s climate controlled with smell-a-vision and seats 16 gamers at once.  If that’s not enough, everyone can dance their hearts out on 32 I-Dance pads that will be set up in front of the theater trailer with heart-stomping music.    

             Boys and girls up to 15 years of age can participate in the fishing contest at the Weldon Road Fishing Education Pond across the street from the high school from 1 to 3 pm.  Just bring your own bait and fishing equipment.

            Teams consisting of four members each (16 years old +) might want to participate in the 7th annual Irish Road Bowling Contest at 2 pm on Catholic Charities Way off Weldon Road.  Prizes will be awarded to the team who takes the least number of throws to complete the course. 

            All new and exciting this year will be the 7:30 pm concert on the main stage featuring the Robert Murdock Band performing their exciting British Invasion Tribute – an experience the whole family can enjoy.  It’s actually three shows in one – the first part includes songs by iconic British groups, the American Response follows with music by legendary artists, and the journey through the 1960’s concludes
with an extraordinary note for note rendition of Side B of The Beatles’ Abbey Road album!

            Then what everyone is waiting for – a huge aerial fireworks show that will light up the skies of Jefferson Township like never before – it will indeed be the biggest, loudest, and best fireworks ever seen in northern New Jersey or in the entire state for that matter!    Once again this year, the fireworks will be presented by Interstate Fireworks Company.

            The Jefferson Arts Committee, Inc. is pleased to announce the following event sponsors:  The event’s Diamond Sponsor is the Township of Jefferson with special thanks to Mayor Russ Felter,
Administrator James Leach, and the Jefferson Township Council:  Richard Yocum-President, Robert Birmingham-Vice President, Councilwoman Debi Merz, Councilman Michael Sanchelli, and Councilman Jay Dunham. This year’s fireworks show is in part
sponsored by Jefferson Township Fire Company No. 1 as a Platinum Sponsor.  Entertainment for the day is being sponsored by Emerald Sponsor McDonald’s on Route 15 – Jefferson Township owner Frank
Stimmler.  Gold Sponsors include Bowling Green Golf Course contributing to the cost of the township parade, the Jefferson Township Public Library contributing to the cost of the concert by
The Robert Murdock Band, PNC Bank contributing towards the cost of the event’s inflatable activities, and the Jefferson Township Recreation Department sponsoring the i-Dance-a-thon activity. 
Sponsoring the Children’s Fishing Contest is Silver Sponsor Lakeland
Bank with the Children’s Games being sponsored by Skylands Bank, another Silver Sponsor. Bronze Sponsor Fredericks Fuel Oil is also thanked for their contribution.

            Free admission to the fields until 5:30 pm, then only $2 per adult and $1 per child admission at all gates.  Free parking all day and evening and handicap parking available with proper decal.  No alcohol, no drugs, no fireworks, no bicycles, no dogs or pets, no large coolers allowed on the fields at any time.  Bring a lawn chair or blanket for your seating comfort. 

            Log on to www.jeffersonarts.org for continuous event updates and specific details about all activities, call 973-697-2032 or 973-697-3828, or email artscommittee@jeffersonarts.org for inquiries to participate or further information on the day’s and evening’s
activities.

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