For one week of the year, the darkness and quiet of the Pine Barrens are replaced with the sounds of carousels, carnival games and the aroma of home-cooked goodies. That week was last week as the Pine Barrens Festival celebrated 25 years.
“It’s been a great success, another great community-building event,” Father Andrew Jamieson of Church of the Holy Eucharist said on the opening night of the festival. “We just want everyone to turn out and enjoy a great time with their families and children, enjoy great food and great entertainment. It’s a great time.”
The annual festival takes place on the Church of The Holy Eucharist’s property and continues to be the biggest event on the region’s calendar. Between 35,000 and 40,000 visitors were expected to visit this year and enjoy the family friendly atmosphere, while supporting a good cause.
“The money goes directly to the parish and its upkeep for the year. It’s our biggest fundraiser for the church,” Jamieson said. “We need a new roof, with the project beginning in September, and $70,000 is slated for that so we’re hoping the festival can go a long way in raising that.”
More than 450 volunteers donate their time to the event from both within and outside the parish. The parish maintains all the booths, and the only part of the event run by an outside source is the rides.
“Majestic Midways continues to be great in providing the rides, and they draw a lot of people to the festival,” Jamieson said.
After 25 years, the thought may be that not much would change year to year, but for the first time a classic car show was part of the celebration.
“We had more than 70 cars and 15 monster trucks,” Jamieson said. “We hoped it would bring more people, come see the cars then check out the festival or get something to eat. We’re definitely happy about it being a part of the event.”
It’s not all funnel cakes and games as each night of the festival is dedicated to honoring a Volunteer of the Year from the different Pineland towns in the area.
“Each town nominates two people and the festival committee makes the selection of who is Volunteer of the Year,” said Mary Fischl, chairperson of the Culture and History and Nature Resources tent at the festival, in addition to organizing Volunteers of the Year. “The award is given to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the culture, history and natural resource of the Pine Barrens,” Fischl said.
Stanley Rowe was this year’s recipient for Shamong and Indian Mills. Rowe is a life-long resident of Shamong Township who has served the community in many capacities. He joined the Indian Mills Volunteer Fire Company in the mid-1960s where he held many positions, including president. Rowe continues to serve as the captain of the fire police.
Rowe also worked to obtain grants for the IMVFC and Shamong Township Office of Emergency Management where he currently is the coordinator. Some of these grants include $45,000 to purchase a new OEM vehicle and $250,000 to renovate and update the firehouse.
Most recently, after two years of work, Rowe’s efforts were rewarded by the award of a three-foot section of I-beam from the World Trade Center- North Tower to the fire company. Rowe continued to work with members of the IMVFC and the community to raise funds and donations of time and service that would ensure the construction of a proper monument to honor not only those who lost their lives during the 9–11 attacks but also recognize deceased fire EMS and state troopers killed in the line of duty. The monument was dedicated on June 22.
