Fall Festival at Camp Jefferson

Celebrate Fall on  October 22nd  at Camp Jefferson!

Food Pantry donations urgently needed

            Jefferson Township, NJ.   The Jefferson Township Recreation Department will host its annual Fall Festival at Camp Jefferson located at 81 Weldon Road on Saturday, October 22 from 10 am to 3 pm. This event and all activities are free to the public.

            Confirmed festival activities will include music by DJ Earl Heller of Sound Solutions, Wisch-Craft Productions’ Magic Shows at 11 am and 1 pm, Karen’s Petting Zoo and Pony Rides from 10 am to 2 pm, a 12 noon live mammal show performance by Eyes of the Wild-Wallaby Tales, Walk with a Llama with the Sparta Mountain Farm Educational Center, and a demonstration by Psycho 78’s Roller Derby team at 2 pm.

         There will also be  daytime hayrides, a fall coloring activity, pumpkin decorating, pumpkin picking in Camp Jefferson’s special pumpkin patch, a car seat safety demonstration by the Jefferson Township Police Department’s Community Services Unit, a special appearance by Smokey Bear with the NJ Forest Fire Service, and a model train display presented by the BD&W Model Train Club.  Jefferson Girl Scout Keriann Boyle will sponsor a Pet Fair and Pet Adoption session with the Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter from 10 am to 3 pm as a community service for her Gold Award.  In addition, there will be a night-time haunted hayride at a nominal fee throughout the haunted Camp Jefferson grounds.

             Refreshments will be available throughout the day at a nominal fee with proceeds to benefit “Operation Camp Jefferson”, a scholarship fund set up for needy families so their children can have a summer day camp experience next year. Members of the Jefferson Township Middle School Student Council and Red Cross Club will be volunteering at the refreshment table.

            When approaching Camp Jefferson, please follow the directions of the volunteer parking attendants.  Shuttle service will be provided by the Township’s Dial-A-Ride vans to and from off-site locations for overflow parking at the Ellen T. Briggs Elementary School located on One Jefferson Drive (off Espanong Road) and the former Yamaha dealership at 25 Weldon Road’s upper parking lot, both in Lake Hopatcong. 

          Everyone attending is asked to please bring a non-perishable food item or a paper product to help restock Jefferson’s food pantries.  Also, Ms. Boyle will be collecting donations of pet food and pet supplies at her Pet Fair.

           Call the Recreation Department at 973-663-8404 for information about its Fall Festival events; log on to www.jeffersontownship.net, Departments, Recreation; or e-mail CPUNTURIERI@jeffersontownship.net   

            Following the Fall Festival event, Jefferson Recreation proudly presents the 23rd annual Halloween Haunted House with a matinee (the less frightening edition for 5th graders and under) from 4 to 5:30 PM at the Community Lodge at Camp Jefferson with regular evening performances from 7 to 9 PM.  On Sunday, October 23, a less frightening children’s hour matinee will run from 4:30 to 5:30 PM and regular evening performances from 6 to 8 PM. Call Terri at 973-896-0160 or e-mail tootall@optonline.net for any additional  information. Admission prices are $3 for adults and children alike.  It will be spooktacular!