Mt. Laurel’s 2014 Fall Festival is still a few weeks away, however the event is already booked solid with vendors and entertainment.
Jerry Mascia, director of municipal services, said the township has a few new activities planned for this year’s festival to attract both new and returning visitors.
For the first time this year, the festival will play host to Eddie Berner, the former guitarist from the 1980s rock band Flock of Seagulls. Berner is bringing his Rockin’ Road Grille tour bus to the event. He will be cooking as well as performing songs throughout the day. Berner’s decked-out bus has spawned a reality television show, also named “Rockin’ Road Grille.”
The township is also adding a Civil War reenactment to this year’s event. The reenactment will take place on one of the fields at Laurel Acres Park.
Mascia believes the combination of the new activities and the large variety of vendors will make the event one of the best so far.
“Mt. Laurel always strives to make the Fall Festival an enjoyable experience for the residents,” he said.
Mascia said the township has received a lot of interest from businesses and community members to be vendors and sponsors for this year’s event.
“The township has had a great response this year,” he said. “All of our vendor spots are filled. We are lucky enough to have support via sponsorships from many local businesses.”
Mascia said there will be a large variety of food at this year’s event, including cheesesteaks, hot dogs, sausages and smoothies.
The vendors include a mix of local businesses as well as local crafters and artists from the community.
Included among the vendors will be fun activities for the kids. The festival will include face painters, crafts and amusement rides.
Because of the overwhelming interest from the community, the township is no longer accepting vendors for the festival.
“Unfortunately, the vendor spots fill up early,” Mascia said. “We are at capacity.”
The township is again hosting a 5K run and children’s fun run for kids 6-and-under the morning of the festival. The 5K will take runners through a winding course through the woods and trails around Laurel Acres Park.
Registration remains open for runners wishing to participate. Residents can mail a $20 check payable to Mt. Laurel Township to pre-register for the run. Registration costs $25 on the day of the event and will open at 7:30 a.m. The children’s fun run will take place at 8:15 a.m. The 5K run will follow at 8:30 a.m.
For more information about the 2014 Fall Festival, visit www.mountlaurel.com.
