'Celebrate South Orange' Scheduled for Saturday

Celebrate South Orange is scheduled for Saturday from 1 to 8 p.m., rain or shine. (The current forecast projects some thundershowers with a high of 81 degrees.)

This year's expanded Kid's Zone in the Sloan Street parking lot will feature a bounce house and obstacle course inflatable, games, arts and crafts, the Sparkhouse Kids Prize Tent and a new Touch-A-Truck (with real trucks to climb on).

Live music, dance and special performances will take place on the main stage in the Sloan Street lot. Performers are Jay Dougherty, Alan Paul, New Day Dawn, Redwall, Matt Mattheiss, Maria Priadka Dance Troupe; Scratch N Sniff is still TBD.

Retail shop owners will be running special promotions throughout the day and evening. You can follow the special retailer map around downtown to collect stamps and be entered into a raffle for prizes. You can also browse and shop at the Sloan Street Market, where local artists will offer jewelry and crafts, and visit with organizations, including the South Orange Lions, PBA, SOPAC, Friends of the Library, Historic Preservation Society, Seton Hall and YouthNet.

At 5:30 p.m., the second annual Sloppy Joe Eating Contest will be held on the main stage. Six contestants will battle for the trophy and a $100 Town Hall Deli gift certificate.

The buffet-style Community Supper feast is from 6 to 8 p.m. with dishes from more than 20 South Orange restaurants. Advance discount tickets (adults, $12; children, $6) are available at Kitchen a la Mode and The UPS Store. This year's new location is at Village Plaza and Spiotta Park. Day-of tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children.

Here's a list of participating restaurants:

Papillon 25

Eden Marketplace

Above Restaurant & Bar

Town Hall Deli

Reservoir

Village Trattoria

Bunny's

Cafe Arugula

Giorgio's

Ariyoshi

Harusame

Stony's

Harrar Café

Village Diner

Cryan's

Cait & Abby's

Rita's Water Ice

Coldstone Creamery

Subway

Dunkin' Donuts

Bonte

And here are participating retailers:

Sparkhouse

Kitchen a la Mode

Robyn Ross

The Little Candle Shop

The UPS Store

South Orange Pharmacy

Village Trattoria

South Orange Frame Shop

Ambiance Jewelers

The Beaded Path

Designer Loft

Evolution Salon & Spa

Eden Marketplace

Above Restaurant & Bar

The Messy Artist

Rita's Ice

Other Mothers

Tina Louise Couture