More than 30,000 people visiting the Annual Harvest Festival help create a viable Main Street, said Sandy Student, Evesham Celebrations Foundation president.
With more than 25 years of history, this event is already a popular community attraction and a great time to enjoy all the bounties of the fall season.
The Harvest Fest has several new and exciting additions planned, including an expanded juried craft show, an interactive kids corner, and a variety of food and entertainment vendors, an ECF release said.
According to Student, more than 60 craft vendors, “substantially more than last year,” will be in attendance, lining one side of Main Street.
“We’ve definitely taken an emphasis on crafters and that was the original intent of this event,” Student said.
Crafters from the tri-state area will be visiting Evesham for the day, Saturday, Oct. 5.
“We have people coming from Pennsylvania and Delaware, because they heard about how overwhelming it was last year,” Student said. “Last year, Harvest Fest was competing with the Ocean City Block Party, which isn’t the case this year. We had to turn crafters away for the first time that I can remember. There are only so many people you can put on the street.”
Additionally, food vendors will be feeding hungry patrons.
Of the vendors, Old Bill’s Wild Soda, an attendee last year, will be crafting a special Harvest Fest mug for anyone who purchases a soda.
The ECF, along with major event sponsors Rothman Orthopedics, Shoprite, Roma Bank and the Evesham Municipal Utilities Authority, anticipates this year’s event to attract the same level of attendance and enthusiasm as other ECF-managed events, the release said.
“We’re excited to expand our presentation to the community. This year, we will have more than 60 craft exhibitors along with a vast variety of food vendors. This is really an event for the entire family to enjoy,” Chris Krimmel, chairwoman of the Harvest Fest, said in the release.
New in the kid’s corner this year is Radio Disney, which will be there, playing music and giving out prizes, according to Student. Inflatables and bounce houses will return again this year, as well.
Non-profit organizations will be making a return to the festival, including Boy Scouts and students from Cherokee, who will
be helping children paint pumpkins.
“Local community non-profits come and tell their story and come talk about what they do,” Student said.
The ECF uses Harvest Fest as a way for the community to come out and celebrate their hometown, and to create an outreach for organizations.
The fire department will be wearing pink and raising money for cancer awareness, since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Part of the allure of Harvest Fest is the impact on the community, whether it’s socializing with friends and neighbors, or assisting in growing Marlton’s economy.
“When we looked at the town in 2009–2010, we made a vision plan to revitalize Main Street,” Student said. “We utilize this section of town for numerous seasonal events.”
Residents can look forward to the Mayor’s Cup 5k and parade along Main Street in July, Harvest Fest, Winter Fest, which was held at the Main Street firehouse, and A Taste of Evesham in the spring.
“We give residents a reason to mark their calendars and get excited about attending events here on Main Street,” Student said.
He noted the ongoing revitalization project the township is currently working on.
“We’re demonstrating the viability of Main Street to rebuild it,” Student said. “The most recent discussion was about the potential for on-street parking, one of many things being worked on. That proves how viable it is to have a Main Street.”
ECF planned Saturday’s event for seven months, and couldn’t be more excited for this year’s festival.
“It’s of no cost for people to come stroll the street and enjoy the day,” Student said. “It becomes the place to go to see your neighbors and to celebrate fall.”
The Harvest Fest kicks off at 10 a.m. on Main Street on Saturday, Oct. 5, and will run until 4:30 p.m. rain or shine.
To learn more, visit www.eveshamcelebrations.org.
