Hayden Mills and her brother Jameson pose at last year’s Pennington Day on May 18, 2013.
From pie eating contests to petting zoos, from old-fashioned games to funnel cakes and cotton candy, Pennington Day promises all manner of fun to the Hopewell Valley Community during the popular annual event.
Set this year for Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pennington Day is to take over Pennington’s Main Street between The Kid Pavilion and Food Court at Toll Gate Grammar School, through town to Howe Commons’ “Green Street” experience on the northern end of the street.
Centered on the crossroads of E. Curlis Avenue and Main Street, Pennington Day looks to highlights the best of small town Pennington and historic Hopewell Valley. The event combines community with art as well as family-friendly fun and vendors from across the area.
There will be three stages of live entertainment from the main Crossroads Stage to the kid-friendly Jamboree Stage to the relaxed atmosphere of the Coffee House Stage.
Major art displays by Hopewell Valley Arts Council, acting and dance troupes performing, and the Pennington Day Quilt Show are all featured throughout the day.
Now in its 34th year, Pennington Day evolved from a community picnic organized in 1980 to raise funds for The Pennington School after a devastating fire.
Through its sponsors, the Pennington Day Board of Directors raises funds in the form of community grants. In 2013, fourteen grants were awarded to local non-profits to support various missions totaling more than $9,400. The grant ceremony will take place during the day at the Crossroads Stage.
Pennington 5K also scheduled for May 17
The 38th Annual Pennington 5K is also scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 17.
Participants can walk or run the 3.1-mile course through historic downtown Pennington and surrounding neighborhoods. Kids in grade K–8 can participate in a 1-mile Fun Run.
New this year are team registration discounts. Those who can gather a team of 10 racers will receive benefits including a separate place to check-in
Race-day registration and check-in will begin at 8 a.m. in front of the Hopewell Valley Regional School District gym at 425 S. Main St. The Fun Run will begin at 8:30 a.m. the 5K run/walk at 9:15. There will also be live music, post-race refreshments and race T-shirts provided while supplies last.
Participants are advised to register online in advance. The website for registration is hvymca.org/special-events/pennington-5k.
Those who have questions or who wish to volunteer to help out during the race should call the Hopewell Valley YMCA at (609) 737-3048 or the Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance at (609) 737-0120, Ext. 642.
Borough Block Party tickets on sale
The seventh annual Hopewell Borough Block Party is scheduled for 7 to 10 p.m. May 10 in the Nomad Pizza Garden, 2 E. Broad St., Hopewell.
“Under the Stars” is set to feature The Strange Rovers, a New York dance band, as well as food from the Brothers Moon Restaurant, Peasant Grill, Da’s Thai Restaurant, Franco’s Pizza and Antimo’s Italian Kitchen.
Tickets are $20 per person and includes hors d’oeuvres and a selection of specialty and premium beverages. Attendees must be 21 years of age.
As in the past, party organizers are partnering with local business sponsors who will be featured on the Hopewell Borough Block Party commemorative glass. The glass entitles guests to beverages throughout the evening.
Proceeds from the previous four parties were donated to Christine’s Hope for Kids, a local charity benefiting children.
To purchase tickets, contact Sandy Brown at (609) 468-8545 or Deb Stuhler at (609) 865-9818.
Tickets are also available at PNC Bank, 62 E. Broad St., Hopewell.
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