July Fun Continues

by Lorinda Jarvis

Last week, we looked ahead to the Cumberland County Fair and all the great family fun that it offers this week through July 13. The rest of the month offers more great events. Highlighting the county’s diverse population: Puerto Rican Festival July 21 through 28 in Vineland, Millville and Bridgeton, as well as the 79th Annual Obon Festival on Saturday, July 20, in Seabrook.
Turn to page 3 for the details about these events and a few others, but also check out the Community Calendar on page 12 and explorecumberlandnj.com/calendar.

July 14: Deerfield Township Festival
The fun begins at LoBiondo Park, located at 678 Morton Ave., Deerfield Township, from 3 to 6 p.m. July 14. The featured act is the Sensational Soul Cruisers, and the event will feature food trucks, including Greenies, Crabby Chef, DeRosa’s and House of Cupcakes.
July 26-28: Paddle it up
Ready to take a tour of local waterways, navigated by local naturalists? Citizens United to Save the Maurice River will hold the Raise the River Kayak and Canoe event at the Maurice River Bluffs, 1200 Silver Run Road in Millville at 8 a.m. July 26.The event costs $25 per person for any of four paddling events held over the three-day period. Each paddle will be hosted by one of Citizen United’s naturalists and staff. Bring your canoe or kayak and pick a paddling leg of your choosing.

To cap off the event, Citizens United will host a special crab dinner at 5 p.m. Sunday, July 28 at Union Lake Sailing and Tennis Club’s boat house. The dinner includes farm-to-table dishes. Cost: $55 per person.
July 20: Cultural Festival
The 79th annual Obon Festival will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Seabrook Buddhist Temple, 9 Northville Road in Seabrook. The event includes Taiko drumming performances, traditional Japanese folk dancing called Obon Odori (dance of joy), information on Buddhism, food, games, crafts and a meditation garden.Free admission and parking. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair. Note: The Seabrook Educational and Cultural Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes a rich history of Seabrook. For information: 856-451-3422. seabrookeducation.org
July 21-28: Puerto Rican Festival
Bring on the food, the music and the sight and sounds of all things Boricua. The annual weeklong party gets started on July 21, capping off with the annual parade and closing ceremony on July 28 at Landis Park, 600 E. Park Ave., Vineland.If you know, you know: Live music, lots of great food inspired by the rich cultural traditions of Puerto Rico. For the kids, they will enjoy the rides and sweet treats that abound at Landis Park. Here is the official schedule of activities:

Flag-raising ceremonies:

1 p.m. Sunday, July 21: Traditional Puerto Rican flag raising ceremony at Vineland City Hall.
12:30 p.m. Monday, July 22: Puerto Rican flag raising ceremony at Buck and Main streets, Millville.
5 p.m. Monday, July 22: Puerto Rican flag raising ceremony at Cumberland County Courthouse, 60 W. Broad St., Bridgeton.
Church service: 7 p.m. Monday, July 22: Ecumenical church service at the Assembly of God Church, Third and Quince streets.

Events at Landis Park:

4 p.m. Thursday, July 25: Kids’ Day from 4 to 6 p.m. and Teen Night at 7 to 10 p.m. All rides open at 5 p.m.
5 p.m. Friday, July 26: Folkloric Day; rides open from 5 pm. To 11 p.m.
Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 27: Car show at the Boulevard and Park Avenue. Rides open at noon at Landis Park.
5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 27: International Day. Rides open at noon.
1 p.m. Sunday, July 28: Puerto Rican Parade, begins at West Avenue and Landis Avenue, proceeding to Landis Park. Closing ceremonies also will be held. Rides will open at noon.