Town-Wide Aberdeen Day Attracts Record Crowds

Beautiful weather and a number of new events brought record crowds to Aberdeen Day 2015.

Coordinated by the Aberdeen Township Recreation Department and Aberdeen Economic Business Council (EBC), the town-wide celebration featured for the first time, a free movie in the park, a 5k run/walk and circus performances, along with a number of annual favorite events.

“The Aberdeen Township Council is proud of how the team at Town Hall combined forces with the EBC to create a town-wide event that was enjoyed by residents of all ages,” said Mayor Fred Tagliarini.  ”We congratulate Jim Colabelli and the Recreation Department staff and EBC Chairman Carmine Visone and the entire EBC for the most successful Aberdeen Day ever.  I would also like to thank the corporate sponsors for their support and the Matawan Aberdeen Regional School District for helping to make the circus event held at the Matawan-Aberdeen  Middle School possible.”

Aberdeen Day started on Friday evening with a free movie in the park, Disney’s “Enchanted,” which brought many movie-goers to Guisti Park in Cliffwood.  Saturday’s festivities began early with the Cambridge Park 5k Run/Walk held to benefit the Cambridge Park Elementary Preschool.  Close to 200 participants participated, raising over $14,000.

The primary noon to 3:30 pm celebration at Matawan Regional High School attracted an estimated 3,000 to 3,500 guests and 75 vendors and crafters, reported Aberdeen Recreation Director Jim Colabelli.  This year’s event featured performances by popular New Jersey cover band The Benjamin’s, Bwana Jim’s Wildlife Show and the Painted Young Band, along with free rides for children, a classic car show, a craft fair, food, vendor booths, and informational displays by non-profit organizations.

“As we continue the new tradition of making Aberdeen Day a town-wide celebration, large and enthusiastic crowds were also present at virtually every off-site event, including the three performances by the New Jersey Circus Center at Matawan-Aberdeen Middle School that were attended by a total of over, 1,000 guests,” reports Visone.

Likewise, special business-sponsored events at shopping centers on Routes 34 and 35 attracted strong traffic to each property.  On Route34, big crowds came to Colonial Plaza’s events, where DeMarco’s Catering and Gourmet Deli buttressed its popular free food tastings with a four-hour performance by Southern rock band Vintage Properties and a classic car show, while Stop & Shop offered Customer Appreciation Day and Woof Gang Bakery hosted dog adoptions.  Aberdeen Town Square was jam-packed as well, led by Livoti’s Old World Market, which again offered its popular free food tastings along with games and music, while the Town Square Diner joined in with free food samplings, and special promotions were offered by European Wax Center, Mane-iac Barber Shop and The Hobby Shop. Over at the AMF Center, over 500 attendees watched performances by contestants in the Aberdeen’s Got Talent contest, while the bowling alley offered special pricing all day.  Meanwhile, at Commerce Plaza on Route 35 in Cliffwood, consumers took advantage of special promotions presented by Air Plus Trampoline, Top Notch Sports, Emgenex, Nikki Nails, Xena BBQ, and Doggy Style Grooming.

The day concluded with the family fishing contest at Cliffwood Beach.

Following the successful introduction of trolley service last year, Aberdeen Day once again offered free transportation between venues and the overflow parking lot at the Aberdeen-Matawan train station that was used by participants all throughout the day.   

“I had the opportunity to interact with several residens at three different event venues and was especially proud to relate to them how this incredible ‘public/private’ partnership made this great Aberdeen Day possible, noted Deputy Mayor Harvey Brenner. “What other town can boast such a success? On behalf of a grateful Township Council and citizenry, we thank all of those responsible for making Aberdeen Day possible.”