Mayor Louis Manzo announces a variety of events coming up in Harrison Township as summer comes to an end
Personally, I love the change of seasons, especially the transition from summer to fall. With the kids back to school and the fall sports programs kicking in, there’s a vibrancy in town that diminishes a bit during the summer months because many Mullica Hill residents spend a lot of time down the shore (that’s right, in South Jersey, it’s “the shore” not “the beach”). It’s also a great time of year for events in town.
This past weekend, The Mullica Hill Merchants Association sponsored the Antique Car Show, which included a Concert on the Hill at OKKA Karate Studio to top off the daylong event. The event was part of our Second Saturday program, which we instituted several years ago to create some activity on our Main Street with the intention of increasing commerce for our businesses there. This is a good example of a public/private partnership to benefit the community and our residents. Our Recreation Commission is the organizational and driving force behind many events and the Mullica Hill Merchants Association, Rotary and others work hand-in-hand with them in many cases. I want to thank all the volunteers and association members for their continual efforts in creating these wonderful events.
The Recreation Commission has several bus trips planned, including visits to the Sight & Sound Theatre in Lancaster, Pa. on Oct. 9, the 9–11 Memorial in NYC on Nov. 11, Radio City Music Hall on Dec. 13 and Christmas on the Potomac on Dec. 27.
The Harrison Township Historical Society sponsors the annual Ghost Walk on the evening of Oct. 14, which is a must-see. The Merchants Association is sponsoring the annual Civil War Reenactment and on (and behind) Main Street on Oct. 14–15, giving you the ability to step back in time to a Civil War military camp and battlefield…you’ll feel like it’s 1863! They end the season with their Christmas House Tour and Candlelight Shopping event on Dec. 9.
The township Recreation Commission events coming up include the Community Yard Sale on Sept. 30 and the 5K Trick or Trot/1 Mile Walk on Saturday, Oct. 28. The children of Mullica Hill get to show off their costumes in the Halloween Parade that same day, as well. The year’s events culminate with our Lights on Main extravaganza on Saturday, Nov. 25, as families come together to ring-in the holiday season on Main Street. The event earns its reputation as the “Best Event in Gloucester County” and attracts more than 5,000 people.
Or, maybe you prefer the scenic solitude of a walk in William Wilt Park at the height of the autumn color burst, which is a favorite of mine for those few days. There’s something for everyone, so enjoy the season and all the wonderful things about this place we call home. Hope to see you around town soon.
Louis Manzo is the mayor of Harrison Township. He can be reached via email at lmanzo@harrisontwp.us and online at www.harrisontwp.us.
