BELLEVILLE –
Once again, Belleville is getting ready to party.
On Wednesday, Sept. 16, Mayor Raymond Kimble and the Municipal Council is inviting the community to join the township’s 11th annual street fair, “Just A Party.”
This year’s affair will be held at the Walgreens Shopping Plaza on Franklin Ave., between Joralemon and Continental Aves., from 6 to 10 p.m.
The rain date is set for Monday, Sept. 21, at the same location.
Township officials are offering an evening of outdoor dining and dancing, featuring musical entertainment by The Cameos, The Symphonics, Ray Cetrell and the Barros Band.
Local eateries and food vendors will make available a variety of culinary favorites such as zeppoles, funnel cakes, fried Oreos, barbecue kabobs, sausage and peppers, pizza, steak sandwiches, fresh squeezed lemonade, Italian ices and much more.
There will also be free Maglione’s ice cream, cotton candy and popcorn, supplemented by family fun including face painting, air-brushed tattoos and children’s rides like the trackless train, Toilet Bowl Go Karts, rock wall, wrecking ball and mechanical bull.
Any local civic organization or local merchant is welcome to participate in the event as an opportunity to promote their establishments.
Thousands of people are expected to turn out for the event.
Township officials are crediting Walgreens Plaza owner Tom Kim, members of the Belleville Just A Party Committee consisting of Councilman Kevin Kennedy and Rose Marie Tuosto, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, Interim Township Manager Kevin Esposito, the Belleville Police and Fire Departments, Department of Public Works, Health Department and the Belleville CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) for their contributions in helping organize the special celebration.
Kennedy told The Observer that it will probably cost about $16,000 to put on the event. He said that private donations should cover most of the expenses. “We expect to break even,” he added.
For more information or to learn how to participate, people are asked to call Tuosto at 973-450-3323, Monday to Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
– Ron Leir
