Come one and all to Jefferson Township Day on July 12
The 28th annual celebration of Jefferson Township Day will be held on Saturday, July 12 on the fields of the Jefferson Township High School, 1010 Weldon Road, Oak Ridge, NJ beginning at 10 am and ending at approximately 11 pm after a huge aerial fireworks display. This year’s event is dedicated to Sgt. Aaron Alonso, a Jefferson Township native severely injured in Afghanistan and the recipient of a Purple Heart.
The day begins with the Arts’ Karts Race for children 5 to 13 beginning with kart assembly at 9 am with the race starting at 10 am on the driveway slope in front of the Jefferson Township High School. There will be a presentation of medals and trophies at 1:30 PM on the main stage on the field.
In conjunction with the Arts’ Karts Race, a Pit Stop Challenge hosted by former NASCAR driver Bruce Sibel will run from 10:30 am TO 12 noon. This is a timed tire-changer contest open to all 18 and over.
There will be over a dozen food and refreshment vendors on the field alongside an anticipated 80 arts, crafts, merchandise, and service organizations and business vendors. Shopping and eating available for all!
Live entertainment will be presented on the main stage beginning at 12:30 pm with a demonstration by Rhythmic Gymnastics followed by a performance of the Jefferson Township Community Chorus at 1 pm under the direction of Mike Morris. The Wallaby Tales Live Animal Show is at 2 pm and then at 3:30 there is the Hot Dog Eating and Chili Contests. Generations of Dance performs at 4:30 pm and then the Jefferson Township Community Band and Jazz Band takes the stage at 5 pm.
Juggler Bill Ceddia will be performing in the small tent on the field from 1 to 4 pm and Jinx the Clown will be entertaining the children there as well from 3 to 6 pm. George Esparza and his Phydeaux’s Flying Flea Circus will be roaming the field from 4 to 7 pm.
From 12 noon to 5 pm, attendees can race a remote-controlled car against other players on a 16’ x 28’ speedway with music and a race announcer at the Rock ‘n Roll Racing station on the field. There is a $3 per person participation fee.
All new inflatable activities will be available on the field throughout the day for young children through adults for a $10 wristband good all day long.
Children’s games of skill will be offered for a nominal participation fee on the field for all pre-schoolers through 5th graders from 12 noon to 3 pm – prizes will be awarded.
A Children’s Fishing Contest will be held from 1 to 3 pm for boys and girls up to 15 years of age. No pre-registration and no participation fee with prizes for the largest fish caught in each age group. Bring your own bait and fishing equipment and the catch-and-release program is in force.
An Irish Road Bowling Contest (16 years old thru adults) will be held at 2 pm on Catholic Charities Way off Weldon Road at Wiegand Farms – Department for Persons with Disabilities.
Rock out with the Young Rockers bands beginning at 2 pm in their own tent at the high school field by the baseball field.
Meet and greet “Produce” Pete Napolitano in the Jefferson Arts Committee tent from 2 to 4 pm. An American grocer, chef, and celebrity spokesperson, Pete is best known for his weekly fruit and vegetable show on NBC-TV in New York.
The band Tequila Rose will perform in concert at 7:15 pm on the main stage. Tequila Rose has become one of NJ’s hottest “New Country” bands by mixing the best of today’s country music with classic country hits of the past and sprinkling in a little rock and roll as well as southern rock. Known for their three-part harmonies, they’ve kept crowds singing and dancing at many of the area’s top clubs including The Whiskey Cafe.
At 8:05 pm during Tequila Rose’s intermission, Mayor Russ Felter will present his Citizens of the Year Awards and read the Proclamation for Sgt. Aaron Alonzo from the main stage. At 8:25 pm, Tequila Rose will retake the stage for the second half of their concert under the stars.
A 50/50 drawing will be held at 9:20 pm and announced from the main stage.
And then at approximately 9:30 pm, the skies will light up with a huge fireworks display by Interstate Fireworks Company that you won’t want to miss. Be sure to bring a lawn chair or blanket for comfortable seating.
Free admission to Jefferson Township Day until 5:30 pm and then only $2 per adult and $1 per child at all gates. Free parking all day and evening at the high school’s parking Lot A, and all parking lots at the Middle School, the Municipal Building & Library complex, SnowBowl, and anytime along Weldon Road. Handicap parking with decal/plate and parking by Jefferson Arts Committee Permit only at Jefferson Township High School Lot B.
For information on all these activities, please call 973-697-2032 or 973-697-3828, email artscommittee@jeffersonarts.org, log on to www.jeffersonarts.org, and find Jefferson Arts Committee on Facebook.
