Hopefully, this year, snow will stay far, far away.
The annual Harvest Festival, featuring Fire and Life Safety Day, will be held on Sunday, Oct. 21 from noon to 4 p.m. at Croft Farm, 100 Bortons Mill Road in Cherry Hill.
It is a rain or shine, free event, open to the community.
“It’s a nice turnout,” said Cherry Hill spokeswoman Bridget Palmer of the township’s largest event of the year. “It’s just grown every year.”
A winter storm swept through the area the day before the festival last year, resulting in a lower turnout, but usually, she said, the festival is greeted by thousands of visitors.
Activities will include a pumpkin patch, pony rides, a farmers market and hayrides, which will be a new attraction, all hosted by Springdale Farms, the last working farm in the township.
“They’re a wellness partner,” said Palmer. “They’ve been great.”
The venue was changed this year to focus the day more on the harvest than pumpkins, said Springdale Farms Co-Owner Mary Ann Jarvis.
“It’s such a busy time of the year for us,” she said.
The threat of frost will have a direct impact on what fruits and veggies make it to the market at the festival, she said, citing October as a tricky month.
“Depending on Mother Nature,” she said. “If you get a frost, it kills everything.”
Apples are in season and will be there, as well as leafy greens like broccoli, kale and cabbage. Lettuce and spinach are usually still in season, Jarvis added.
As the food vendor for the day, the market will bring baked goods, beloved apple cider donuts, soup, chili and hot cider for purchase.
Last year, Jarvis mentioned, they cooked up pulled pork sandwiches.
Springdale Farms also was to host scarecrow making workshops in mid-October. The scarecrows created will be placed on display for all to see in the pumpkin patch and there will be a contest.
Keep an eye out for a moon bounce by Cherry Hill My Gym, a costume parade, rock wall, live entertainment and balloon artists.
“It’s a great event,” Palmer said.
Other supporters of the event include Kennedy Health System, Virtua, Melitta, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Hampshire Self Storage, Advantage Therapy Centers and Metro PCS.
There is a long line every year for the Kid Card ID registration, said Palmer. A police department community relation’s officer will be on hand for the registration.
The IDs help in locating lost children.
Be fireproof
Fire safety information and the ever-popular fire trucks will be on display for the Fire and Life Safety Day, said Cherry Hill Fire Marshal Tom Shemeley.
Awhile back, Shemeley said, each firehouse would conduct an open house for Fire Prevention Week. Now, after teaming up with the township about 10 years ago, the number of people who come out to learn about fire safety is significantly higher.
All events are performed with on duty personnel, who bring pumpers, ladder trucks and a specialty truck.
“We just purchased a big foam firefighting truck,” he said, for fires that involve flammable liquids.
Firefighters stay on the trucks, allowing youngsters to pretend they are driving, though fire engine rides will not be offered.
Shemeley will be handing out literature on fire safety at the festival.
Small hoses for kids to squirt on mock-ups of burning structures will be available, which was not the case last year due to the snowy conditions.
Plus, the little ones will have the opportunity to take a picture with a firefighter.
Adults can have fun too.
A trailer will be on the premises from the N.J. Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board to show the benefits of having a sprinkler system.
Not many single-family homes have sprinklers, Shemeley said, but generally townhouses, condos and apartments being built will have them.
Have any questions on fire safety?
“They can feel free to ask any one of us,” he said.
More information
For further details or questions, call the Cherry Hill Recreation Department at (856) 488–7868 or email [email protected]. Check up on the events at Springdale Farm by visiting www.springdalefarms.com.
