With the clocks leaping forward, the weather improving and trees and flowers soon to be in bloom all throughout the borough, Haddonfield will feature no shortage of places to visit and things to see and do during the onset of spring.
Feast your eyes on a rundown of events geared toward residents of all ages, abilities and interests that will take place over the next few months.
Healthy Kids Running Series
Healthy Kids Running Series will return to Haddonfield this spring. Beginning on Sunday, March 31 and running until Sunday, May 5, the five-week series will again take place at 5 p.m., each session, in Crows Woods.
HKRS was designed to motivate kids from ages 2 to 14 to be healthy and active and provide a fun, inclusive environment to improve their self-esteem and lay the groundwork for a continued healthy lifestyle into adulthood.
According to local coordinator Heather Kuczynski, there are almost 250 kids signed up for the spring session that is just days away. There is an air of renewed purpose with this next series, as Haddonfield was awarded “Best New Town” at the HKRS coordinator conference in January.
“Healthy Kids Running Series isn’t about being the fastest, it’s about getting outside and having a good time,” said Kuczynski. “One of my favorite things about the program is the whole family can join in. There aren’t too many kids activities where 2-year-old and 6-year-old siblings can participate together.”
For more information, contact Kuczynski at [email protected], and for race information, visit: https://healthykidsrunningseries.org/race-locations/haddonfield-nj/.
Girls Night Out
This bi-annual, free event that features businesses in downtown Haddonfield is geared towards a fun-filled, ladies-only night of shopping, dining and relaxing. It will take place on Thursday, May 2 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visit https://downtownhaddonfield.com for participating stores and in-store promotions, along with a comprehensive roster of the best in food, refreshments, and music the business district and beyond have to offer on that night.
Haddonfield Farmers Market
Open every Saturday rain or shine, from May 18 through Oct. 12, the Haddonfield Farmers Market will return this spring for a 13th straight season on Kings Court.
Find the freshest local ingredients, sample wares from a menagerie of local businesses and take in the atmosphere on the downtown business district’s quiet strip just off Kings Highway.
Each week’s offerings will be dependent on the length of growing season, harvests and availability. Vendors and businesses at the market encourage visitors to live green and eat seasonally as a path to staying healthy, keeping in touch with nature, and supporting local farmers and food providers. It’s also a prime chance to mix and mingle in the open air with friends and neighbors.
“I am in awe at how much the market has grown. Ralph Ciallella and crew have curated an impressive selection of farmers, food vendors, artisans and musicians that makes it worth the trip every Saturday. I think people are really going to be blown away when they come to the market,” said Marcello De Feo, owner of Valente’s Italian Specialties.
Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information on a weekly list of vendors and entertainment, visit: https://haddonfieldfarmersmarket.org/.
Easter Egg Hunt
On Saturday, Apr 20, the Y Men’s Club will hold its annual Easter egg hunt at Crows Woods, beginning at 10 a.m.
Children who attend will be assigned an area to collect their eggs according to age groups, from 1 to 10 years, and there will be prize eggs in each area. It is suggested that children taking part in the egg hunt bring their own baskets. The Easter Bunny will arrive at Crows Woods on a fire truck at 10 a.m., and will be available for pictures after the egg hunt has concluded.
Parking is available at Crows Woods as well as the swim club parking area on Upland Way. Participants are urged to arrive early, since parking can become congested quickly.
Haddonfield Sculpture Month
Join the festivities each Saturday in April, as the borough celebrates Haddonfield Sculpture Month.
The public is invited to walk around town to view nearly 20 figurative and abstract sculptures, meet the artists of each piece, see previews of upcoming installations as well as witness installations of new artwork.
Among the events scheduled are: April 1-26, there will be a Scavenger Hunt for all students from kindergarten through 12th grade. To play, you can pick up clues at all district schools, the Haddonfield Public Library (60 Haddon Ave.) or the Haddonfield Information Center (2 Kings Court). Enter to win town-wide gift certificates.
April 6: Meet & greet “Haddy” sculptor John Giannotti, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Lantern Lane.
April 6, 13, 20 and 27: Guided walking tours leave the Haddonfield Info Center at noon, rain or shine, at $5 per adult and children for free. Free self-guided tours anytime are easy with free maps available at most downtown shops and restaurants.
April 13: Dedication and reception for “Ballerina” with sculptor Barry Woods Johnston and ballet dancers, near the rotary near 41 South Haddon Ave. at 2 p.m. Little ballerinas are invited to wear costumes and dance along.
April 18: Hands-on free arts activities at the Haddonfield Public Library at 1 p.m. for toddlers and 3:30 p.m. for artists 6 and older.
The highlight of this month-long public service will be the unveiling of the new Children’s Sculpture Zoo on Saturday, April 27, which happens to fall on the fifth annual International Sculpture Day that will be celebrated by artists, organizations and institutions around the world.
Haddonfield Public Library Events
A busy April at the borough’s bellwether of knowledge begins with TechGirlz: Code & Play Your Own Game on Wednesday, April 10. It’s a workshop for middle-school girls where they’ll learn how to code their own game and create their own working controller using everyday household items and food. Students will pair their keyboard with the game created in Scratch programming to connect the digital and physical world. No prior experience necessary, but registration is required at: https://haddonfieldlibrary.libcal.com/event/5215812.
On Saturday, April 13, Kings Court is where the Haddonfield Environmental Commission and Sustainable Haddonfield will hold a celebration for Earth Month from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. The library will sponsor fun and educational activities developed by NASA and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies.
Of course, the big upcoming event on the library’s ledger will take place at the Haddonfield Memorial High School auditorium on April 17, an appearance by the Ghost Hunters from the SyFy Channel. Registration and tickets are necessary. Visit: https://www.haddonfieldlibrary.org/events-1/ghost-hunters-live-2.
Chorale Concert
The New Jersey MasterChorale, under the direction of William Gorton, will present Brahms’ Requiem on Sunday, April 14, at 7 p.m. The free concert will take place at Haddonfield United Methodist Church. The Chorale had previously been broadcast nationally in a Public Radio International program this past December.
The 100-voice Chorale will be accompanied by an orchestra of musicians of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Friends. The Requiem will be preceded by Brahms’ Tragic Overture. Tickets to the concert are free but must be reserved by calling the church office at (856) 429-0403. Donations are suggested to offset expenses.
