Local businesses, restaurants come out for annual Cinnaminson Appreciation Day
Stephen Finn
The Sun
Anyone walking through Wood Park on Sunday, Oct. 7, was met with the sights, sounds and smells of everything Cinnaminson has to offer. The annual Cinnaminson Appreciation Day celebration was in full swing, and thousands came out to join in the festivities.
“This is a showcase of our township,” said Mayor Donald Brauckmann. “Everything about our town, from our businesses to our restaurants to our sports groups and community activities. If anyone wants to see what our community is like, what our residents are like, this is the place.”
Local eateries like Frutta Bowl, Zio’s Tuscan Grille, and the Cinnaminson Diner set up tables where locals could sample their wares. The diner’s table was buzzing with activity throughout the day and served a seemingly unending line of hungry patrons. Brothers Ogun and Emre Karagoz kept busy serving up free turkey dinners, and they were happy to do it.
“We just want to give back to the community. They come in and support us so we’re here to support them,” said Ogun, who owns the diner along with his brother and their father.
Their diner set up shop in Cinnaminson in 2016, and Ogun believes they are here to stay.
“It’s the best spot we’ve ever opened up, great people, great location and a really nice community,” said Ogun.
A returning feature of the day was the fifth annual car show, which doubles as a fundraiser for Cinnaminson High School’s Project Graduation. The block that borders the park between Riverton Road and Branch Pike was closed for the day to make room for an impressive collection of classic cars.
“There are some really nice cars here, a 1970 Cadillac that’s impeccable, there’s a ’65 Mustang that’s absolutely beautiful,” said George Ferris, who organizes the show for Project Graduation.
Tom Brabson is a Cinnaminson resident whose 1966 Plymouth Satellite was on display for the show. A self-proclaimed car enthusiast, he came out not only to show off his car but to support his community.
“Everybody likes everyone else’s cars, it’s all friendly competition,” said Brabson. “Just wandering around and meeting new people, that’s what I get out of it.”
The day’s celebrations left plenty of room for charity. Cinnaminson Township Schools tried something new this year with a “Stuff the Bus” food drive. In the weeks leading up to the big day, residents were encouraged to collect non-perishable food items to bring with them to the event.
The school parked a big yellow bus in the park, and throughout the day parent and student volunteers collected all donated food into bags that were then stuffed onto the bus. After the day’s events, the food went to The Bread of Life Food Pantry, the Food Bank of South Jersey and the Jane Weilenbeck Holiday Food Drive.
The goal was to have the bus filled by the end of the day. Space was already running out after the first few hours, and organizers started thinking they may need a bigger bus.
Character education facilitator for the Cinnaminson School District, Melissa DeClementi, came up with the idea for the drive.
“We were hoping that it would bring more people out to Cinnaminson Day and give the kids something they could do for service,” said DeClementi.
She was happy with the day’s turnout and the show of support — in fact it’s what she loves most about the community as a whole.
“Any time there’s any kind of donation or community event, everyone is involved. Whether it be for a tragedy or a celebration. It’s a great place to work and a great place to raise your kids,” said DeClementi.
