Summer lends itself well to the Shamong community.
From the Pine Barrens Festival featuring town-specific nights to the Fireworks Festival at Valenzano Winery to the 84th annual Carranza Memorial Service, there are plenty of events to choose from to enjoy as the temperature rises. Pencil some of these on to your calendars.
Monday, June 4: ‘Battle at the Links VI’
Go on a field trip with the Indian Mills Athletic Association to The Links Golf Club, 100 Majestic Way, Marlton, for this year’s golf outing, Battle at the Links VI. The cost is $125. Activities include a buffet lunch, a four-man scramble/shotgun format, closest-to-the-pin, a raffle, dinner and door prizes. Registration is at 10 a.m. and dinner/awards are at 7 p.m. An after party will finish the night off at La Campagnola Restaurant. A registration and sponsorship form can be found online at www.imaabaseball.org.
Tuesday, July 3: Fireworks Festival at Valenzano Winery
Sponsored by Cherry Hill Jaguar and Murphy’s Markets, enjoy the first fireworks festival at Valenzano Winery after sunset. There will be a live concert with two bands, wines for sale and a souvenir wine glass, entertainment for the kids and great access to see the fireworks — with convenient parking to boot. The festival will be held at Valenzano’s festival grounds at 1320 Old Indian Mills Road. For more information, visit www.valenzanowine.com.
Saturday, July 14: the 84th annual Carranza Memorial Service
Sponsored by Mt. Holly VFW Post №11, this yearly event has been going on for ages. Capt. Emilio Carranza Rodriguez was the Charles Lindbergh of Mexico. He died in 1928 on his way back to Mexico after a goodwill mission to the United States. The event in his honor will be held at the Carranza Memorial, located on Carranza Road in Shamong at 1 p.m., rain or shine. For more information and history, visit post11.org/carranza/carranza2012.html.
Monday, July 23 to Saturday, July 28: Pine Barrens Festival
While “Indian Mills/Shamong Night” isn’t until Friday, July 28, this festival is sure to be huge again this year. Housed at the Church of the Holy Eucharist, 520 Medford Lakes Road, in the heart of Tabernacle, the festival will be open nightly from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. with games and rides opening at 6:30 p.m. There will be free parking as well. The Canvas Café menu will include cheesesteaks, chicken breast sandwiches, hamburgers, fries, salads and ice cold beverages. A seafood and beer garden will also be on site, serving up ice cold beer, crabs, shrimp, clams, corn on the cob, buffalo ears, crab fries, and more. Nightly entertainment will liven the air, and an hourly 50/50 raffle will occur. Last year’s super 50/50 winner, according to the church website, won over $18,000. Learn more at www.pinebarrensfestival.org.
Saturday, September 15 and Sunday, September 16: WineFest 2012
From noon to 5 p.m., rain or shine, Valenzano Winery at 1090 Route 206 will be hosting its annual WineFest. Wineries participating include Valenzano, Hawk Haven Vineyards, Cava Winery, Coda Rossa Winery, Alba Vineyards and DiBella Winery. Tickets in advance are $15; at the gate $20 and children can enter for free. Free parking is available on Old Indian Mills Road. Guests of the festival will be able to sample wines, enjoy helicopter rides over the Pinelands, ride on ponies for free, and listen to Joey Kola, a comedian from the Martha Stewart Show.
The Heartbeats and Cher’s Playgrounds are two of many rock and dance bands that will entertain. For more details, visit www.valenzanowine.com.
All summer
Keep an eye on your local Indian Mills Athletic Association softball and baseball teams. Check out www.imaabaseball.org for up-to-date information on game schedules, news and standings.
