For one week of the year, the darkness and quiet of the Pine Barrens are replaced with the sounds of carousels, carnival games and the aroma of home cooked goodies. That week was last week as the Pine Barrens Festival celebrated 25 years.
“It’s been a great success, another great community-building event,” Father Andrew Jamieson of Church of the Holy Eucharist said on the opening night of the festival. “We just want everyone to turn out and enjoy a great time with their families and children, enjoy great food and great entertainment. It’s a great time.”
The annual festival takes place on the Church of The Holy Eucharist’s property and continues to be the biggest event on the region’s calendar. Between 35,000 and 40,000 visitors were expected to visit this year and enjoy the family friendly atmosphere, while supporting a good cause.
“The money goes directly to the parish and its upkeep for the year. It’s our biggest fundraiser for the church,” Jamieson said. “We need a new roof, with the project beginning in September, and $70,000 is slated for that so we’re hoping the festival can go a long way in raising that.”
More than 450 volunteers donate their time to the event from both within and outside the parish. The parish maintains all the booths, and the only part of the event run by an outside source is the rides.
“Majestic Midways continues to be great in providing the rides, and they draw a lot of people to the festival,” Jamieson said.
For the first time a classic car show was part of the celebration.
“We had more than 70 cars and 15 monster trucks,” Jamieson said. “We hoped it would bring more people, come see the cars then check out the festival or get something to eat. We’re definitely happy about it being a part of the event.”
It’s not all funnel cakes and games as each night of the festival is dedicated to honoring a Volunteer of the Year from the different Pineland towns in the area.
“Each town nominates two people and the festival committee makes the selection of who is Volunteer of the Year,” said Mary Fischl, chairperson of the Culture and History and Nature Resources tent at the festival, in addition to organizing Volunteers of the Year.
“The award is given to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the culture, history and natural resource of the Pine Barrens,” Fischl said.
The family of Anthony Jr. and Mildred Russo was recognized for Tabernacle.
“This award is being given to the Russo Family in recognition of more than 70 years of outstanding community service through several generations. Anthony Jr. and Mildred have passed several years ago, but their children, Anthony III, Madeline Capelli and Natalie Casano, continue the legacy of hard work, citizenship and volunteerism which began with their parents many years ago.
Today, the Russo family has many branches, including but not limited to the Capelli, Casano, Antoniewicz, Gsell and Lehner families, who are the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Mildred and Anthony Jr. Without question, the Russo family as a whole continues to work to make Tabernacle a great place to live,” Fischl said in a statement.
