Main Street was transformed into a pedestrian walkway with more than 180 vendors as far as the eye could see on Sept. 13 at the annual Williamstown Arts & Crafts festival.
Children were greeted by a giant, inflatable pirate ship. Farther up the street were artists selling their crafts – including dream catchers, jewelry and paintings – as well as vendors selling Phillies and Eagles shirts and hats. Organizations like the Williamstown Lions Club offered information about their services.
“This is a beautiful day for the festival,” said Lion Matt Pontano, who was with Pete Saber and Denise DeFalcis as they sold tailgate raffle tickets to fund the Lions’ sight projects for Monroe Township students, among its other endeavors.
At one booth across from a vendor selling religious items were players on the Monroe Mayhem 14U and 10U softball teams. Children’s eyes lit up again as they approached the Pfeiffer Community Center, attracted by a petting zoo and pony rides as a disc jockey entertained.
After spending six months planning the festival, the Monroe Township Community Affairs supervisor Brandee Derieux and director Donna Park said they were happy to see the huge turnout of people from Gloucester and Camden counties.
Helping the duo organize the event were Community Affairs aide Anna Bracarello; volunteers Deb Defelice, Jaci Derieux, Anthony Derieux, Bernie Burkett, Kelly Biglin and Patti Adams; and students from Williamstown High and the middle school.
“We try to make it fun for the whole family, at the same time as an affordable fun day as well,” Derieux explained. “We offer free pony rides, bounce houses, stilt walker/balloon artists, face painters and a ventriloquist who walks around and does mini pop-up skits.”
Changes for the festival this year included adding shuttle transportation for people who parked at nearby schools and churches. And vendors were permitted to start setting up their booths at 6:15 a.m.
“It takes six months to plan these affairs, alongside of the many other events and activities we have going on in the community center,” noted Derieux, who thanked the Monroe Township Police Department for coordinating the “safety route and plan” and for its presence at the festival.
Derieux estimated that some 5,000 to 6,000 people were drawn to the event. Some of the 181 vendors had double spaces, for a total of 239 spaces up and down Main Street.
Upcoming events organized by Community Affairs include the Trunk or Treat on Oct. 24 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and the Halloween puppy parade on Oct. 25 at 11 a.m.
For more information, visit the Monroe Township Community Affairs Facebook page.
Nine-year-old Cheyenne – whose mother did not want her last name used – enjoyed a pony ride at the annual event, which drew 5,000 to 6,000 people to Main Street.
About 181 vendors set up booths along Main Street for the annual arts and crafts festival on Sept. 13.
