This year, the Moorestown Business Association has bookended the summer months with two events aimed at bringing locals together and showcasing what Moorestown has to offer to residents of surrounding areas. In June, the MBA kicked off the season with Moorestown Day, one of its most popular events, and coming up in August, it will be closing out the season hosting the End of Summer Block Party on Main Street.
On Wednesday, Aug. 21 from 5 to 9 p.m., the heart of Moorestown will be transformed into a food truck festival with a little something for everyone.
According to event chair Kathleen Hiltner, the timing of the event, close to the end of August, was chosen specifically to ensure that the best possible attendance.
“People are coming back into town, coming back from vacations, getting ready to get the kids back to school and college kids off,” said Hiltner. “It’s a good way to attract people back to Main Street to think about doing their shopping or eating and bringing them into town to participate.”
The event made its premiere in town last year and was the result of a partnership between the MBA and the Economic Development Advisory Committee. After the EDAC oversaw the last block party, the MBA has taken the reins for this year’s event.
Unlike last year’s block party, this year will see Main Street closed between Chester Avenue and Church Street. This will help to spread things out a bit and keep everyone from having to crowd together on the sidewalk. The added space will also allow for more al fresco-style seating options available for attendees.
According to Hiltner, she has been keeping busy rallying a diverse collection of food trucks, attending other events to reach out and make as many connections with food vendors as possible. Once a vendor has gone through the permit process with the police department, Hiltner hopes to interest them in other township events.
“We’ll continue to bring them into the community and develop those relationships with the food truck vendors to make the event bigger and better,” said Hiltner. “They are a unique group of individuals that really stick together and that’s definitely helpful with any events that we’re doing in the future.”
Food trucks at the event will include Cannoli World, Dan’s Waffles, Whole Hog Cafe, Kimmie Mae’s Mac and Cheese, Jeremiah’s Custom Cuisine, The Little Sicilian, Madison Cafe and more.
In addition to the numerous dining options available, the block party will feature live DJs, performances by local bands Lost in Brunswick and The Collins/Flynn Band and a magic show.
Hiltner says she wanted to avoid scheduling too much in the way of entertainment to allow people to socialize and engage with their community.
“When you think of a block party, you’re thinking about the opportunity for people to get back together, to be able to converse,” said Hiltner.
Being a business-minded organization, the MBA hopes the event also draws people from surrounding areas to patronize local businesses in addition to offering locals an opportunity to socialize
“Based upon what happened last year, you have the food trucks, which is great, but my experience going to other communities that have food truck events, it draws people to the community and all the other restaurants in the town were just as busy as the food trucks,” said Hiltner. “It’s a win-win for everybody. It’s about bringing people to town to enjoy the community.”
