This year’s Running The Ave 5K is in the record books and you’ll be reading the results and a wrap-up shortly. Meanwhile, we turn our sights to autumn, which is fast approaching.
Many, customarily, are sorry to see summer go, but we’re busy planning some events on The Ave for the autumn, after an events-starved summer season.
• First up is our annual Pumpkin Patch Party, planned for Saturday, October 31, rain or shine. Newfield Bank will be the major sponsor of this event, which brings 100 children and parents to the mini-park at Landis Avenue and the Boulevard from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for fun, games, fellowship, and all-around good times. Come to the mini-park at Landis Avenue and the Boulevard for an afternoon of fun, games, and fellowship.
• We move into November and get ready for the holiday season with our annual Christmas Parade, planned for Saturday, November 28 (rain date: November 29) at 5 p.m., on Landis Avenue. The major sponsor this year will be Century Savings Bank and “Peace on Earth” will be this year’s theme. Floats this year are to be decorated to honor persons in history who have worked toward the spread of peace in our world, such as Jesus, Moses, Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, or any other choice, past or present. The parade, as in the past, will again feature a contest for the best floats. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Registration for participants and vendor applications will be through the Main Street Vineland website—TheAve.biz—and will be posted on a future date to be announced.
Aside from the events, about which you’ll read more in future weeks, come to The Ave for your shopping needs, not only for autumn, but to get a head start on your holidays shopping. And, while you’re at it, don’t forget that you can stop into one of our many great restaurants on The Ave to dine in and treat yourself to their unique cuisines.
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Remember these important reminders:
• “Shop Local—Shop Safe” is an initiative in partnership with the Greater Vineland Chamber of Commerce to emphasize shopping our local businesses, whether it’s at the retail or supplier level, and doing so in a safe and responsible way, following the proper social distancing guidelines. We now have yard signs about this campaign, so you can publicize it and show your support. Contact the Main Street office to get yours.
• In addition to indoor dining resuming, Take Out Thursdays is Main Street Vineland’s way of helping restaurants on The Ave. Use that occasion—and any day—to patronize our many downtown restaurants and get a takeout, especially if you don’t have the time to eat in. Sample the authentic multicultural cuisine and keep our business climate healthy.
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A further reminder to go to the home page of our website— TheAve.biz—for links to initiatives to help our local businesses. Main Street Vineland is here to help. In the spirit of social distancing and respecting the safety of our staff, our office is currently closed to walk-in public though we are still working every day. We pass this information along to our businesses every Thursday on POP 99.9 FM, Channel 22, and on Facebook Live on facebook.com/popfm999, as well as TheAve.biz and facebook.com/mainstreetvineland. n
For more information on Main Street Vineland, call our office at 856-794-8653, visit our exciting website—TheAve.biz—or check us out on Facebook. You can also e-mail me at rswanson@vinelandcity.org.
