The GBBPA’s gamut of autumnal games, grubs and goodies will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Rock walls, bubble balls and signs of fall will soon takeover West Broad Avenue in downtown Berlin.
Such assortments of family-fun features will set the scene for the Greater Berlin Business and Professional Association’s 7th Annual Fall Fest, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The signature autumnal event features a breadth of South Jersey business, restaurants and other activities, as the Fall Fest embodies the mission of the GBBPA.
“The (GBBPA) is a combination of various towns being inclusive. Our sole purpose is to help businesses and do goodwill,” said Betty Velie, secretary of the GBBPA and PR and Social Media chair for Fall Fest. “We try to help out and assist wherever we can and to get people the businesses, to network together, to know one another, to further enhance.”
The association includes 50 businesses throughout Berlin Township, Berlin Borough and Waterford Township.
But the Fall Fest does not solely feature GBBPA members, as nearly 90 vendors from Mt. Laurel to Medford will offer some form of festive service to attendees. Businesses use their imaginations to orient toward children, such as Virtua’s wellness tent, which provides x-rays for teddy bears.
As Stella’s Farms hands out fresh fruit, the Berlin Rotary Club will give away children’s bicycles.
“There’s a myriad of different types of booths that will be set up,” Velie said.
While the fest will revive old traditions such as pumpkin painting and Pink Porches Breast Cancer Awareness, it’s revamping them, too. The year’s Battle of the Badges/King of the Ring, a square off between local firemen, policemen and EMS, will use bubble balls as a form of competition, as in previous year’s the method was sumo wrestling.
This has been an effective yet fun event in breaking down walls between cops and the community.
“It’s nice, because it puts faces with police officers who are patrolling our towns,” said Julia Robel, co-chair of the GBBPA. “So, people get to meet them and interact with them.”
Although public servants will be recognized, the Fall Fest also commemorates “Hometown Heroes,” in which locals can nominate a friend, neighbor or organization that has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help or inspire. Submissions, which include a 150-word essay, are due by Oct. 13. The selected Samaritans are then honored at the fest.
Another new element this year is the ICCA Little Miss Pageant.
The street fair, which kicks off with the Joseph Douress Commemorative Bike Ride, will be peppered with dressed-up pups, part of the Winslow Animals Hospital’s Mutt Strut dog parade and even antique cars provided by Hot Rod Garage.
Of course, the events will include festival classics such as balloon art, face painting and carnival games.
The assortment of amusements will be set to the sounds of local musicians, such as acoustic country singer Jennifer Rainey, the Blitz Band and Acoustic Soul.
“We have made it the mission of the Fall Fest to not only showcase the business but also to bring families out to enjoy the day,” said GBBPA chair Loretta Mikulski.
For Hometown Heroes forms, please contact Betty Velie at (856)- 408- 8964 or at btopvel11@aol.com.
