Summer in South Jersey is full of exciting opportunities to get out, enjoy the beautiful weather and to join the local community in attending a number of exciting events, programs and services. In anticipation of these festivities, here is a preview of what’s going on nearby in the weeks to come.
Pinelands Branch Library Events
Even though school is out of session for the summer, the Pinelands Branch Library is offering a number of ways for kids, teens and adults alike to keep their brains sharp through the gift of reading and the availability of good books. Most notably out of all of their summer activities, the library will be hosting an eight-week summer reading program that began on June 20 and will run through Aug. 16.
”The Summer Reading Program is one of the library system’s most popular programs,” said Ranjna Das, director of the Burlington County Library System. “Last year, children across all our branches read more than 11,000 books, and this year we hope to see that number topped.”
For the first time, this program will be accessible online, available to all ages and offer a self-paced agenda. From the reading material to prizes and scheduling flexibility, all participants can benefit from this program. More specifically, kids and teens up to age 17 will receive a prize for every four hours of reading. Prizes for this age group can include books, Medford Lanes Bowling or Rita’s Water Ice gift certificates, back-to-school supplies, toys or entry to raffles. Adults are also eligible to receive raffle tickets for every book they complete.
“I love this opportunity to keep kids reading, exploring, and having fun all summer long,” said Danielle Haulbrich, children’s librarian at the Pinelands Branch Library.
Also taking place this summer, the Piccirillo Sciencetelling show will be held at the library on July 20 at 2:30 p.m. At the event, instructor Andrew Piccirillo will use science experiments to tell stories during this program for children age 5 to 12.
Then, on July 26 at 2 p.m., the event named Survival of the Fittest will allow children to come face-to-face with live animals during an educational program hosted by Eyes of the Wild, an organization dedicated to bringing the most educational, entertaining, high energy programs to schools. Here, kids will learn more about animals’ speed, agility, strength, flexibility and stamina, discover how they survive the wild, and get to know a few up close.
Pine Barrens Festival
One much-anticipated summer event is the Church of the Holy Eucharist’s 27th annual Pine Barrens Festival, being held this year from Monday, July 25 to Saturday, July 30 nightly from 6 to 11 p.m. at 520 Medford Lakes Road in Tabernacle. The kitchen, games and rides will open at 6:30 p.m. and entertainment performance times are 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday.
“This is a great gathering for people who haven’t seen each other in years but also a great place to meet new people,” said Father Andrew Jamieson, pastor at the Church of the Holy Eucharist. “It’s also a great time for us as a parish to introduce ourselves to people in the larger community.”
At this year’s festival, attendees will enjoy free entertainment, fun games, raffles and rides and a broad offering of food selections. As for entertainment, the TrumpBoyz will kick off the week playing at WXTU Night on Monday, Hot Sounds DJ will take the stage on Tuesday, Mid Life Crisis will play on Wednesday, Denny O Trio & DJ on Thursday, Bullseye Band on Friday and the concluding the week will be a performance by the Tequilla Rose Band at the second WXTU night on Saturday.
Food options will include an array of steaks and sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, chicken, steamed clams, sides and salads. Daily specials will also include BBQ Wednesday, offering barbecue pulled pork sandwiches for $10.50 and half rack ribs for $13.50; Pirogue Thursday, when attendees can purchase four pirogues, half a kielbasa sandwich and sauerkraut for $8.50; and Sausage Saturday, advertising a hot sweet Italian sausage sandwich for $9.
This event also focuses on the culture devoted to the New Jersey Pine Barrens and will highlight one surrounding municipality including Tabernacle, Medford, Medford Lakes, Southampton, Shamong and Woodland (Chatsworth) each day. Admission and parking will be free. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/pinebarrensfestival or call (609) 268–8383.
The 88th Capt. Emilio Carranza Memorial Service
Every year, Tabernacle pays tribute to the Mexican aviation hero, Emilio Carranza, during an annual memorial service. This year, the 88th annual memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, July 9 at 1 p.m. at the Emilio Carranza Memorial Park on Carranza Road in Tabernacle. There is no rain date for the event, and it will be held even during inclement and severe weather conditions.
Hosted by Mount Holly Post 11 of the American Legion, this service honors Carranza, whose plane crashed near Tabernacle in 1928. As a result, the members of the community chose to promote his goodwill mission through his honoring. Today, the site of this memorial service is considered to be the fourth-largest visited Latin American site in North America.
Although this year the annual Friday night social dinner has been suspended due to the current economic situation, the ballet forlorico dancers from New York City have still been invited to dance in their full authentic costumes. The Civil Air Patrol Color Guard will also be present at this year’s ceremony.
As for entertainment, attendees are invited to watch a reenactment of finding Carranza and seeing “him” carried across the field to the music of “Going Home” often elicits tears and sobbing from the audience.
Another tradition taking place at this event, wreaths will be presented in a warm, friendly matter to remind attendees of the compassion, strength and love Carranza has for his country. It is suggested that guests arrive at 12:30 p.m. with a folding chair so they can find a shady place to view the event and get a close parking spot. For more information, call (609) 702–9738.
The Pinelands Jazz Festival
Helping conclude the summer with music, food, vendors and other family friendly activities will be the third annual Pinelands Jazz Festival on Sunday, Sept. 18 from 2 to 8 p.m. Located in the heart of the Pinelands at the over-century old Camp Ockanickon situated among the Pines on Lake Stockwell in Medford, this event is home to a great musical lineup and a beautiful venue.
“The best part of this festival is the great music and awesome atmosphere at Camp Ockanickon,” said David Bermingham, president of the South Jersey Music Education Partnership and organizer of the Pinelands Jazz Festival.
This year’s musical lineup will include the M-Town Jazz Jam at 2 p.m., the Brian Betz Quartet featuring Denis DiBlasio at 3 p.m., the Paula Johns Quartet at 4 p.m., the Eric Mintel Quartet at 5 p.m., the Michelle Lordi Quartet featuring Larry McKenna at 6 p.m. and to end the night’s jazz, Breckerville will be playing at 7 p.m.
Food at the event will be catered by Camp Ockanickon and will include sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs and chicken dishes. Attendees are also invited to bring their own picnic lunch and recreational equipment such as bikes, hiking gear, canoes and kayaks to use on Lake Stockwell.
Tickets for the festival are only $20, and all proceeds will benefit the South Jersey Music Education Partnership, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Plenty of free parking will also be offered at the event.
“It’s a lot of work to put this festival together. There’s always last-minute changes, and we have to hope that the weather will be good,” Bermingham said. “Yet, by the time the festival is underway, seeing everyone have a good time and having them tell you that they can’t wait to come back next year is the best payoff.”
Although no camping will be permitted this year due to the camp having reached booking capacity, hotels are still available locally. In addition, the event titled “A Friday Night in Paris” will be held at the historic Braddock’s Tavern at 39 S. Main St. in Medford on Friday, Sept. 16 to kick off the festivities. The Hot Club of Philadelphia will be playing jazz inspired by Django Reinhart while attendees are invited to dine on butlered hors d’oeuvres and while enjoying a two hour open bar in the elegant Colonial Room.
Attendees are also invited to check out Main Street on Saturday, Sept. 17 for the event a “Taste of Medford/Oktoberfest” run by the Medford Business Association, and to make a fun-filled weekend out of the festival. The Jazz Festival will have a stage at this event with live performances.
