Freeholder Director Mary Ann O’Brien announced that the county will once again be hosting its annual Fall Float Festival. Residents can enjoy free canoeing, hayrides, live entertainment and more on Sunday, Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Historic Smithville Park in Eastampton.
“The annual Fall Float draws visitors to picturesque Smithville Park and the scenic Rancocas Creek,” O’Brien. Said. “Canoe and kayak launches will begin at 9 a.m. with the final launch at 2 p.m. Other park activities will kick off at 10 a.m. and run until 4 p.m. As always, parking and admission are free.”
Paddlers are invited to canoe and kayak along two scenic, stretches of the Rancocas Creek: from Smithville to Iron Works Park in Mount Holly; and from Smithville upstream to the Route 206 bridge and back. Free shuttles will be provided back to the park from Iron Works Park.
On returning to Smithville Park are invited to vote for their favorite dock in the Dock Decorating Contest and for their favorite scarecrow in the annual Scarecrows on Parade Contest.
“Visitors will find much more to do than just canoe,” O’Brien said. “Other activities taking place during the event include free hayrides and pumpkin picking for children 12 and under, family games, and face painting.”
Throughout the day, visitors will enjoy live entertainment by Zydeco-a-Go-Go, the Mid-Atlantic’s premier Zydeco band, combining Creole Zydeco and Cajun 2-steps with funky New Orleans Rhythm and Blues and vintage Louisiana Rock and Roll into a spicy gumbo of irresistible music.
The Wandering Witch and Magician will enthrall children of all ages with magical entertainment, while the Mill Race Theatrical Co. will demonstrate improvisation in developing a play.
Smithville’s free galleries will also be open throughout the event. Visitors to the Smithville Mansion Annex Gallery can view the 39th Annual Juried Art Exhibit, featuring a selection of works by local artists. The Worker’s House and Gallery hosts an ongoing preview exhibit for the Underground Railroad Museum of Burlington County, offering a visual representation of the Underground Railroad experience in America, with a particular focus on Burlington County.
Tours of Smithville Mansion will be available for a $4 fee from noon to 3 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Friends of the Mansion at Smithville, a non-profit group dedicated to preserving, restoring, and furnishing Smithville Mansion. Village Talks will take place throughout the day, so those waiting in line to canoe can learn about the history of Smithville Park and the industrial village of Smithville.
Lines form early for the canoe and kayak rides and all boat launches end at 2 p.m. Canoes and kayaks will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis and participants are not permitted to bring their own. Every participant must sign a waiver and children under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign on their behalf. For safety reasons, all participants must wear personal flotation devices provided at the event and at least one adult will be required to ride in each canoe. Each canoe can hold a maximum of four riders with a combined weight of up to 565 pounds. Children five and under cannot be transported by shuttle vehicles because they do not have child restraints; however, alternate on-site canoeing will be available on Smithville Lake. The severe weather date is Sunday, Oct. 25.
Historic Smithville Park is located at 803 Smithville Road in Eastampton. Funding has been made possible by the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the NJ State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, through a grant to the County Division of Parks. Persons in need of special accommodations are requested to give two weeks’ advance notification. For more information, call (609) 265–5858 or visit the Burlington County Parks website at www.co.burlington.nj.us/parks.
