From the “Tour de Medford” bike races to Country Day at Kirby’s Mill, there are plenty of family-friendly fun events coming up this summer in Medford Township.
Make sure to pencil some of these onto your calendar.
Saturday, June 2: “Paint Our Town” art contest
This is a day for the artists and aspiring Michelangelos throughout Medford, sponsored by the Medford Cultural Arts Commission. According to the center, meet at the Medford Arts Center, 18 N. Main St. between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. for painting surface validation, then pick your favorite spot in the town and proceed to paint, paint, paint. Cash prizes will be awarded for both youth and adults. Call (609) 654–0630 or visit www.MedfordArtsCenter.org for more information and to find out how to enter.
Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, June 3: Quilt Show
The annual quilt show is back again at Kirby’s Mill, 275 Church Road, for the 36th year. The free show is hosted by the Medford Historical Society and will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Complimentary parking is available off Fostertown Road. Donations are accepted and the museum will be open each day. Refreshments in the kitchen will be offered. For more information, contact Betty Molloy at (609) 206–1626 or visit www.medfordhistory.org.
Sunday, June 3: Art, Wine and Music Festival
Sample wine, peer at artwork and browse craft booths. This annual festival has been regaling visitors from all over the county for many years. The Medford Business Association and the Medford Arts Center, both non-profit organizations, present the festival from noon to 4 p.m. About 5,000 people are expected to be in attendance. The rain date is June 10. Learn more at www.medfordbusiness.org.
Sunday, June 3: Chili Blast cook off
***** Coinciding with the Art, Wine and Music Festival, this cook off will kick off around 10:30 a.m. in the gazebo area on Main Street with proceeds going to the Independence Day celebration. The unsanctioned, cook-on-premises event is hosted by Medford Celebrates. Chili recipes will be judged by a panel at 1 p.m. and the entry fee is $30, or $5 for those 14 or younger. Become an official taster for $8. The rain date is June 10. Contact Nancy Flynn Youngkin at nancyflynnyoungkin@gmail.com for more details.
Sunday, June 3: The Ultimate Cupcake Challenge
Also concurrent with the Arts, Wine and Music Festival, the Ultimate Cupcake Challenge will be held at the Medford Arts Center, 18 N. Main St., with judging at 1 p.m. There will be prizes for winners, a cupcake decorating station for the youngsters, sidewalk chalk, live bunnies, face painting and balloon animals. There is an entry fee of $5 for contestants. Visit www.MedfordArtsCenter.org for contestant rules and additional information.
Friday, June 8: “Trout Fishing in America” Family Concert
Head out to Shawnee High School’s theater, 600 Tabernacle Road, at 7 p.m. for a folk-rock concert by Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet, who are best known for their children’s songs. Take a listen before the concert at www.TroutMusic.com. They have been featured on WXPN’s Kids Corner with Kathy O’Connell. Tickets are $10. Children under 12 can enter for $7. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (609) 654–6485 or visit www.MedfordArtsCenter.org.
Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10: Relay for Life
Celebrate life and raise money to fight against cancer the second weekend of June. Some 276 participants and 41 teams are already registered for the 2012 relay. $60,595 had already been raised. According to Relay for Life’s website, in the last decade, this location has raised $1,826,983.45. The walk’s theme this year is Carnival of Hope. It will be held from noon on June 9 to 8 a.m. on June 10 at Freedom Park at 86 Union St. The survivor lap will be at 12:30 p.m., a fight back at 4 p.m., and a luminaria ceremony at 9 p.m. Visit www.relayforlife.org for more information.
Saturday, June 16: Fishing Derby
Grab the kids and spend a morning fishing from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Medford Park on Gill Road near the library. The Medford Vincentown Rotary Club hosts the event. All children, no matter where they’re from, are invited and prizes will be given. The derby is free to attend. The rain date is June 17. Call (609) 654–2512, email recreation@medfordtownship.com, or visit www.mvrotaryclub.com for details or to register.
Saturday, June 30: “Tour de Medford” Bike Races
The Tour de Medford bike races on Main Street and the Village are sponsored by the Medford Recreation Department. The races will be held between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. It costs $35 to attend, or $45 on race day. Children can attend for free. The course is .85-mile with three left turns and a small climb to the finish area. For more information, contact CC Evesham at (856) 392–3930, email njcycling@aol.com, or visit www.usacycling.org.
Saturday, June 30: Pineland Striders Independence Races
The Independence Day 5K, 10K summer classics, and 1-mile fun run for the kids will begin at Shawnee High School, 600 Tabernacle Road. The 5K and 10K will begin at 8:30 a.m., while the kids fun run will begin at 8 a.m. Each participant will receive a tech T-shirt. According to their website, this is one of the oldest continuous road races in South Jersey. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Precious Gems Memorial. Visit striderindependenceraces.com for more information.
Every Sunday in July and August: Tour of Kirby’s Mill
The Medford Historical Society maintains the Kirby’s Mill complex and museum and will have tours between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. According to the society’s website, “Kirby’s Mill was the last operating commercial mill in New Jersey and is the last standing mill on the Rancocas Creek. The second floor houses a museum that includes a wood lathe, general store, seamstress room, printing shop and displays of clothing, artifacts and old photos.” Learn more at www.medfordhistory.org.
Wednesday Nights from June 27 to Aug. 31: Family Fun Nights
From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., visit the Discovery Barnyard and Animal Farm for half price and free hayrides at Johnson’s Corner Farm, 133 Church Road. There will be children’s entertainment, hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, ice cream and pie. Call (609) 654–8643 or visit www.johnsonsfarm.com for more information.
Tuesday, July 3: Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks
The fireworks are back! Medford Celebrates, Inc., was able to garner enough funds to bring the Independence Day celebration and fireworks back to the township. Medford Celebrates and Medford Township are jointly hosting the event. Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. at Freedom Park, 86 Union St. The rain date is July 5. Visit www.medfordcelebrates.org more information.
Sunday, July 8: Country Day at the Mill
Head out to Kirby’s Mill from noon to 4 p.m. for a country day hosted by the Medford Historical Society, 275 Church Road. Watch crafters as they work, including a basket maker, broom maker, deco carver and doll maker. As a treat, antique engines will be powered at the Blacksmith Shop operated by Frank Barnaby. It is free to attend and watermelon, hot dogs and beverages will be available. Call either (609) 654–7747 (mill phone) or John Hines, Chairman at (856) 983–0479 for additional details.
Saturday, July 21: Adults Only Summer Party
This party will be held at Lake Pine Colony Club’s clubhouse from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. A traditional barbeque is being planned with more information coming soon. Visit www.lakepine.org/summer_party for updates.
Sunday, Aug. 5: Art Show and Sale at Kirby’s Mill
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., head out to Kirby’s Mill, 275 Church Road, for a day of basking in the arts. This is a rain or shine event and over 30 artists will be in attendance. There is no charge to attend or to park. Refreshments will be available and Jennifer Mylod and the Boys of County O’Cean will provide musical entertainment. For more details, contact Holly Doyle at (609) 670–2822 or holly@jersey-made.com.
