Walgreens to Present 2011 HarvestFest

Walgreens is coming to town and will be introducing itself to the Maplewood community in a big way.

If you've somehow missed the brick-faced, awning-bedecked edifice rising rapidly on Springfield Avenue across from the new police station and court building, Walgreens' leadership will make sure you get to know Walgreens by being the presenting sponsor of this year's HarvestFest on Springfield Avenue.

"Walgreens is proud to be a presenting sponsor of this year's Maplewood Harvest Festival," said Walgreens store manager Mike Christie. "As we continue to meet the health and daily living needs of our community, we are also excited about serving even more people with the upcoming opening of our Maplewood location. We are pleased to support this celebration and look forward to building upon our relationship with the community, our customers and patients."

“We are particularly excited that Walgreens is a major sponsor of HarvestFest, a great way to introduce themselves to the Maplewood community,” said Mayor Vic De Luca added. “I encourage residents to come out and have fun on what we expect to be a beautiful fall day.”

Something else different about this year's HarvestFest: It will all be happening in one central location instead of being stretched out across the length of the avenue.

Maplewood’s third annual HarvestFest will take place on the grounds of the Hilton Library — on Tuscan Road between Vermont Street and Oakland Road on Saturday, October 29 from 11:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m. The festival will include food, music, entertainment, activities for the kids and more. The festival is organized by the Sprinfield Avenue Partnership.

Here's the schedule of events:

Day long music and a live children’s concert with Polka Dot and Pals: 12:30 – 1:30 p.m., sponsored by LaChaney’s Dance & Music Academy

Petting Zoo, sponsored by Le Petit Academy

Pony & Hay Rides, sponsored by 76 Brand Gas Station

Face Painting & Glitter Tattoos, sponsored by Parteaz

Classic Car Show, sponsored by Maplewood Meineke Car Care Center

Maplewood’s Fire Department’s Fire Safety Education Trailer

Food Sales from participating food vendors

“This year’s HarvestFest will be better than ever before,” said Mayor Vic De Luca. “HarvestFest is designed as a family oriented community event, a perfect complement to our highly successful MayFest. Children and adults will have plenty of activities to enjoy, sponsored by various Avenue businesses.”

Throughout the month of October, the Springfield Avenue Partnership is leading up to the event itself. The Partnership has also continued with the tradition of painting the center stripe along Springfield Avenue pink (paint donated by Ricciardi Brothers and service by Statewide Striping) and wrapping pink bows on trees in the district in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Visit SpringfieldAvenue.com or follow the Partnership on Facebook.