Turning right onto Georgian Drive in Cinnaminson from Wayne Drive, visitors get to see a lovely, winding suburban street with beautiful homes and manicured lawns in the heart of Cinnaminson Township.
On a beautiful, sunny afternoon, the usual quiet 200 block street, was closed off with a “road closed” sign – for a party.
Beyond the sign children were happy and screaming while descending down a huge water slide into a pool of water. A little further up the street people were knocking their neighbors into the cool water at the dunk tank.
Adults were gathered under a large tent surrounded by grills that were cooking up hamburgers, hot dogs and more for everyone, who came by with coolers of cold beverages close by. Mr. Softee even made a visit, providing a delicious treat enjoyed by children and adults alike.
“This is the 23rd year in a row for the Block Party,” said Patrick Sherlock at the party on Sept. 13.
Sherlock, along with his wife, Bridget, and neighbors Rachel and Jordan Miller, Rich and Noreen Sommerkon and Jenn and Ed McGowen, put together and organized the annual event this year for the first time.
“This really worked out for us, Sherlock said of the “beautiful day.” “Our motto was, ‘Don’t change a thing,’ until we get the first one under our belts.”
The committee of four families were doing the work of one man, Vince Pagliaro, who came up with the idea for an annual Block Party 23 years ago and had been planning the parties ever since.
“Last year, [Pagliaro] informed us all that he would no longer be up for all the planning and that if someone else would like to step up, he would be happy to guide us,” Sherlock explained, adding they formed a committee to keep the tradition going.
Sherlock and his wife had purchased their home on Georgian Drive in 2018 thinking it would be an ideal place to raise their family, which includes children Rebecca, 7, and Benjamin, 5.
“We enjoy living here,” said Sherlock, an aerospace engineer, adding that the excellence of the Cinnaminson School District was one of the reasons they chose to live in the township.
“When we moved here we did not know anyone,” Sherlock recalled. But that all changed in one day when they “met every neighbor,” referring to the 16th annual Block Party that year.
“We have three new neighbors this year,” Sherlock said. “This is a great way for everyone on the street to get to know each other.”
This year’s event was a big success keeping Pagliaro’s idea he had 23 years alive. The youngsters enjoyed it immensely as they jumped up and down in the bounce house or tried out the tree swing – a large tire suspended by a rope.
As early afternoon became late afternoon, Sherlock said the celebration would go on deep into the night for the adults, with music, laughter, fellowship and conversation, and he hopes the annual tradition will go on at least for another 23 years.
