Stafford To Hold A Modified Version Of Founders Day

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Following several coronavirus-related postponements, Stafford Township found a way to celebrate Founders Day. The modified celebrations takes place Oct. 24 and 25 and will be among several "Virtual Fall Festival" events the Recreation Department has announced.

Founders Day celebrations will run from 10 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m. each day. Attendance is limited to one session only. See more details here.

The event takes place in Manahawkin Lake Park and Heritage Park. The public is invited to stroll the grounds of both parks and tour the Old Baptist Church, Old Stone Store and the Manahawkin Train Station of the Tuckerton Railroad.

The event will feature video presentations of archived interviews with some of Stafford's most revered founding residents. Tim Hard, Stafford's official historian, will give walking tours of old downtown.

The celebration will also feature music by the Lake Manahawkin Pavilion. There will be an opportunity to purchase coffee and food, including a funnel cake or lunch on the go. Fresh fall flowers and produce will be sold.

Reservations are required and can be obtained by calling Deb at 609-597-1000 ext. 8583.

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Founders Day had originally been scheduled for June 13 and then pushed to Aug. 29. Then the event became postponed indefinitely because of evolving crowd restrictions. But the Stafford Recreation Department and Founders Day Committee continued working with the Stafford Historical Society and Historic Preservation Commission to try and put on the event.

Click here for more Virtual Fall Festival events.

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