Summer is anything but a bummer in Mt. Laurel Township.
Locals looking for some fun these next few months without having to travel far are in luck, as once again this year the township is offering plenty of events and activities set to take place right in Mt. Laurel.
Coming soon, the Mt. Laurel Township Police Department will help the township kickoff the summer season with a new event entitled “Ice Cream with an Officer” on June 27.
On that day, from 5 to 7 p.m., local families can head over to Mt. Laurel’s Larchmont Elementary School, located at 301 Larchmont Blvd., and enjoy free Mister Softee ice cream in a relaxed atmosphere; all while in the company of some members of Mt. Laurel’s finest.
Next, Mt. Laurel Township and the Mt. Laurel Library are set to present the township’s annual Summer Concert Series.
Starting on July 11, the series will bring four musical acts to the township for four straight weeks, with concerts set to take place in their cool air of the Mt. Laurel Community Center or the open air of Laurel Acres park.
First up in the concert series on July 11 is the Big Bleu Band – self-described as a five- to eight-piece dance rock party band that plays songs from the 1960s through today. The show will take place at Laurel Acres Park from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.
Next in the concert series on July 18 is the The Golden Eagle Band, which features a combination of semi-professional and amateur orchestral musicians from the local area. The show will take place at the community center, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.
Third in the concert series on July 26 is the Hope Church Band, which features the musical stylings of members from Hope Church, who meet regularly on Sunday mornings at the community center. The show, however, will take place at Laurel Acres Park from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The final concert in this year’s series on Aug. 1 will feature the Bobby Block Trio, featuring three men and multiple instruments. The show will take place at the community center, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
In addition to this year’s series of summer concerts, the township will also bring back its “Movies in the Park” series from recent years.
The series will include four films, all set to screen at Laurel Acres Park starting at dusk.
Movies include “Sing” on July 12, “The Grinch (2018)” on July 18, “Captain Underpants” on July 25 and “Wreck It Ralph: Ralph Breaks the Internet” on Aug. 16.
This summer will also see the police department host another National Night Out event on Aug. 6.
The 2018 event marked a return of the event to the township, as no current officials could recall when the township last held the event prior to last year.
From 5:30 to 8 p.m. that day, Mt. Laurel’s police, fire, EMS and other community organizations will gather at Laurel Acres Park with food, rides, games and other fun where members of the community can enjoy time together and get to know their first responders.
For families looking for something in a smaller, more relaxed setting, the library is also set to host another year of its “Summer Stories” series.
On July 2, July 9, July 16, July 30, Aug. 6, and Aug. 13, all ages are invited to join for story-time events at the library, with each event beginning at 10:30 a.m., no registration required. Each event will also have kids to listen to stories and music, move around and more.
Select events will include visits from special guests, including the library’s Paws for Reading superstar dogs on July 9.
Check the library’s website at www.mountlaurellibrary.org for more information.
Keeping at the library, the Friends of the Mt. Laurel Library will host its next summer book and media sale from July 24 through July 27.
The sale will open on July 24 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. for members of the Friends, with the sale then opening to the general public on July 25 from noon to 8:30 p.m., again on July 26 from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and again for the final day on July 27 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
All proceeds will benefit the Mt. Laurel Library.
Moving toward the end of the summer months, Mt. Laurel FOP Lodge No. 191 will hold its second annual 5K Run and One-Mile dog walk at Laurel Acres Park on the morning of Sept. 2.
As with last year’s inaugural event, this year’s event will raise money to support the police department’s K-9 program, feeding, veterinary care, training and equipment expenses and more.
K-9s from the MLPD are also scheduled to be present for a meet and greet during the day.
Additional race information can be found at www.mlfop.org.
A few days later on Sept. 6, locals can help support local police officers and firefighters at Mt. Laurel Shared Services Annual Golf Outing.
Mt. Laurel FOP Lodge No. 191 and the Mt. Laurel IAFF Local No. 4408 are currently looking for golfers and sponsors for this fundraiser.
To register for this event, complete the registration form at www.mlfop.org and return it to the listed address.
