The Mt. Laurel community gathered at Laurel Acres Park on Saturday, Sept. 15 for the annual fall festival and 5K race.
The fall festival, which was graced with warm and sunny weather and themed after the “Wild, Wild West,” began with opening ceremonies at 11 a.m. and continued through the afternoon.
Lenape High School led the way with an array of students representing the ROTC, color guard, marching band and cheerleading squad.
Senior Kelly Jones sang the National Anthem.
Master of Ceremonies Irwin Edelson said that the marching band has been a state champion for three years, as well as a national champion last year.
“These are our kids,” he said.
Deputy Mayor Linda Bobo welcomed guests to the festival.
“What a beautiful day,” she said. “Have fun, eat lots of food, take in the rides and everything this day has to offer.”
There were 100 vendors and 20 food booths on hand, including a church that comes back each year to give out some free hugs.
“We come here to give hugs to the community,” said Rebecca Galati, director of pastoral life for Unity Church of Christ in Mt. Laurel.
More than 20,000 people were expected to be in attendance.
Planning began for the festival in early spring, said township clerk Meredith Tomczyk.
Americk and Kaizen Martial Arts performed at the main stage. Country line dancing was to be had, as well as performances from the Philadelphia Song Writers Alliance and Lenape High School’s drama club and singers.
Community groups were what held the day together, said Bobo, with the Mt. Laurel Municipal Utilities Authority providing water for the run, Ramblewood Country Club volunteering golf carts, Mike Ricci organizing the run and the Board of Education offering chairs, among several other area groups.
Results from 5K Race
The following rankings, times and winners are courtesy of the Mt. Laurel Striders Club.
1. Greg Boyajian: 19:16, Overall Winner
2. Rich Wright: 20:08, First Firefighter
3. Finlay Buchanan-Jacobs: 21:41
4. Dana-Marie Duffield: 21:56, Overall women winner
5. Gabe Nessler: 22:08
6. Bill Rodgers: 22:30, Special guest from Boston, friend of Coach Ricci
7. Mastt Duffield: 22:59
8. Peter Miller: 23:05
9. Sam Mohnocs: 23:14
10. Ron Friedman: 23:40
11. Daniel Boyajian: 23:41
12. Joe Wright: 23:46
13. Steve Boyajian: 23:49
14. Jake Mohnocs: 23:57
15. Samuel Swain: 23:59
16. John Civitillo: 23:59
17. Tom Vincente: 24:04:00
18. Toni Dalida: 21:14:00
19. Joyce Phillips: 24:23:00
20. Jessica Myers: 24:24:00
21. Susan Civitillo: 24:44:00
22. James Della Franco: 24:52:00
23. Christine Adams: 25:20:00
24. Conner Hull: 25:33:00
25. Jack Beard: 25:34:00
26. Gia DiTullio: 25:36:00
27. Antonio Castillo: 26:15:00
28. Liliana Wolf: 26:50:00
29. Norm Ostroff: 27:33:00
30. Joseph Kozianowski: 27:53:00
31. Robert McGrogan: 29:19:00
32. Jessica Burns: 29:33:00
33. Jason Burns: 29:33:00
34. Erika Spencer: 30:17:00
35. Gavin Di Tullio: 30:28:00
36. Emma Hinchliffe: 30:32:00
37. Madhavi Polavarapu: 30:48:00
38. Paula Nessler: 30:51:00
39. Katy Hinchliffe: 31:09:00
40. David D’antonio: 39:19:00
41. Mary Danielson: 31:19:00
42. Allison Wallenburst: 31:20:00
43. Isabella Wolf: 31:23:00
44. Karen Hermack: 32:17:00
45. Yoshie Hull: 32:36:00
46. Angela Kozianowski: 34:28:00
47. Malathi Pentapalli: 35:20:00
48. Peggy Krupa: 35:43:00
49. Joanne DaMato: 36:18:00
50. Christa Nessler: 37:21:00
51. Nathaniel Nessler: 37:27:00
52. Joe Nessler: 37:27:00
53. Aliyah Weinstein: 34:49:00
Strider Junior Run Male:
1. Richard Wright: Overall Winner
2. Colton Swain
3. Liam Wolf
4. Liam Rindall
5. Jack Tindall
Jada Serrano was the overall strider junior female winner and costume winner, dressed as Indian Princess.
