For the first time since the start of COVID, the Mantua school district’s Big Night Out will take place on Thursday, June 9, at Chestnut Branch Park.
The annual event was on hold for two years, so when Superintendent Christine Trampe joined the district at the start of this year, Big Night Out was first on her list to start planning.
“With the constantly changing pandemic data, the decision to move forward with this year’s event wasn’t made until I joined the district in January,” Trampe said. “Therefore, I began planning as soon as we returned from winter break. There are multiple people in our district who work on planning this event each year.”
This year, the district is partnering with the township to make Big Night Out’s comeback even more extravagant. The event was moved from its normal location at J. Mason Tomlin Elementary School to the park.
“Due to our partnership with Mantua Township this year, we hope the event will have more community members attend than in previous years,” Trampe noted.
This event will feature inflatables, face painting, a half-mile water run, music and food from eateries like Beast of the Street, Carolina Blue, House of Cupcakes and Jeremiah’s Custom Cuisine.
“We are also hoping to have a dunk tank with some good sported and fearless staff members waiting to get wet,” Trampe said. “The entire evening is to focus on bringing the community out to celebrate our school and town. Any proceeds from the event will go to the district’s character education program.”
There will also be a vendor fair at the event, with local businesses represented, as well as county and township facilities: the Gloucester County Certified Gardeners and EMS, the county library system, the Mantua Township Fire Museum, the township historical society and the township Veterans Commission.
“We are excited to continue some of the traditional events people have come to expect at our Big Night Out and are excited to have expanded the options for families,” Trampe said.
Hours for Big Night Out are 5 to 8 p.m., with a rain date of June 10. For more information on vendor registration, email Debbie Ottinger at dottinger@mantuaschools.com or call (856) 468-2225, ext 1107.
