Washington Lake Park is full of events and opportunities this summer to get outside and enjoy the season
As the weather gets warmer and summer makes its arrival, residents can look forward to a number of events that will get them outside and enjoying the season. From concerts and movies in the park for the family, to the returning Fourth of July parade and fireworks festivities, locals will have the opportunity to embrace the sun and Washington Township community with many events happening within the upcoming months.
“Our Parks and Recreation Department has done a fantastic job putting together the calendar of events, including our Fourth of July Parade, summer concerts and movie series,” Mayor Joann Gattinelli said. “We have worked hard to give our great community a variety of events for all ages.”
Community events
The first annual Addiction Awareness Vigil will be held on June 19 in Washington Lake Park as a night to provide drug- and alcohol-related resources, education and information on prevention, as well as remember those who lost their battle with addiction. At 7 p.m., a ribbon cutting will take place for a remembrance bench, dedicated to community members who have passed due to the opioid epidemic. Lanterns from the Senior Service Day and Spring in Service Lantern Project will be sold; those who have already purchased a lantern are encouraged to bring it with them to the event. Along with useful resources, the evening will include live music, speakers and a candlelit moment of silence at 8:15 p.m. This is a family event, and community members are welcome to bring their own chairs and snacks.
On Saturday, June 24, and Sunday, June 25, the fifth annual Washington Lake Park Wine Festival will be held from noon to 5 p.m. “Sip into summer” with at least 16 participating wineries, numerous food trucks and local vendors. On Saturday, enjoy a concert from Stealing Savanah, a party cover band known to play rock, pop, dance and more. On Sunday, classic rock band Right Turn @ Forty will take the stage. Advanced admission tickets are discounted at $15, while day-of tickets are $20. Non-samplers who are 21 and older will cost $5 at the gate, and attendees younger than 21 are free. Full price admission includes a souvenir wine glass, sampling and sales of more than 300 New Jersey wines. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.newjerseywineevents.com.
The Fourth of July parade and fireworks show is returning to Washington Township after eight years. On Tuesday, July 4, the parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Washington Township High School 11–12 parking lot. According to Lisa Collins, park manager and events coordinator, the parade route travels from Hurffville-Cross Keys Road, to Greentree Road, to Egg Harbor Road, to Ganttown Road and back to Hurffville Cross Keys Road.
Any township kindergartner or first grader can sign up to be randomly chosen as this year’s Little Miss/Mister Parade. Residents can join the bicycle contest and ride their bike in the parade. Judging will take place and prizes will be awarded at 5:45 p.m. in the 11–12 high school parking lot. Parade t-shirts are available for purchase at the parks and recreation office in the Municipal Building, MBM Sports and ACE Hardware. For more information on how to register for parade events and contests, visit www.townshipnj.com.
Fourth of July fireworks will be shot from the Washington Township High School complex at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4. There will not be seating available in the Washington Township High School football stadium. For more information on Fourth of July events and activities, contact Lisa Collins at 256–7903, or email [email protected].
On Aug. 1, join the Washington Township Police Department in Washington Lake Park for the annual National Night Out. The event, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, is designed to educate and raise awareness for crime and drug prevention and will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. According to the police department website, the event aims to “promote neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships in the fight for a safer nation.”
“National Night Out is an enjoyable and informal program that promotes the building of relationships between the Washington Township police officers and the community in which we serve,” Sgt. First Class Joseph Russo said. “We just want our community to feel a close connection with our officers so that we can address issues that concern our residents the most.”
For additional information, contact Russo at (856) 589–8594, or email [email protected].
“It is clear that our township residents value the events that bring the community together, which will build upon Washington Township traditions,” Gattinelli said. “The events are family-friendly and allow us all to enjoy time with the incredible people with who make up this community. I look forward to seeing everyone there.”
Entertainment in the park
Community members and their families can enjoy evening entertainment this summer in Washington Lake Park with various concerts and movies taking place at the amphitheater.
“Washington Lake Park is the best place to watch concerts because we boast South Jersey’s largest open air amphitheater with a completely covered lit stage and fully equipped for the best sound around,” Collins said. “The amphitheater lawn will hold approximately 4,500 people with unobstructed sight and sound.”
Once the sun goes down, bring a chair or blanket, sit back and relax to the following movies being shown at dark this season. On June 23, the “LEGO Batman” movie will be shown, with a rain date of June 24; On June 30, catch “The Secret Life of Pets;” at dusk on July 14, watch the animated film “Moana,” with a rain date of July 15; and on July 28, “Finding Dory” will play, with a rain date of July 29.
If you feel like moving your feet and dancing to the beat, stop by one of the parks for a concert. In the James G. Atkinson Memorial Park, enjoy a night of classic rock with Right Turn @ Forty on July 9, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and SASS Faction, a premier party band, at 7 p.m. on July 23. Soul Cruisers, an 11-man horn group known for playing Motown hits, will perform at the Washington Lake Park amphitheater on July 16, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., while The Infernos Band, “America’s №1 show band,” takes the amphitheater stage on July 30 at 7 p.m. On Aug. 21, modern country rock band South 47 will perform at dusk.
Summer at the library
The Margaret E. Heggan Free Public Library Summer Reading Program will kick off on June 26 at 10:30 a.m. This summer’s theme, “Build a Better World,” will shape the events and activities children will participate in all season long.
According to a release, the program will have children “singing, building, crafting, reading and learning about making the world a better place.” The award-winning duo “Two of a Kind” will present an interactive concert for children ages 3 to 11, highlighting songs about creation, reading, books and bettering the world. Advanced registration is required at www.hegganlibrary.org.
