From June 25 to 27, Camden hosted SoccerFest26 at Wiggins Park, where around four thousand people showed up across three days to watch the world cup.
Besides soccer and soccer themed games, there were also a variety of vendors and organizations throughout the park.
One of those vendors was the Cherry Hill Soccer Post, who came to the event along with food trucks, window replacement companies, henna tattoo booths and the Food Bank of South Jersey.
Margie Kessler, the owner of Soccer Post, said that they’ve been able to participate in several of the soccer events in the area.
“We like to get involved in a lot of community events, and from the beginning when the World Cup was announced that it was going to be here, in our backyard, we knew we needed to get involved in everything and anything,” Kessler said. “So last week, we were at a watch party in Haddonfield. The week before that we were at one in Haddon Heights.”
The Cherry Hill Soccer Post’s tent at the June 26 event.
Louis Cappelli, the director of the Camden County Board of Commissioners, thanked governor of New Jersey, Mikie Sherrill for bringing soccer events to the area during the event in front of a small crowd on June 26.
“Before the governor came into office, funds set aside for Fan Fests were all geared towards North Jersey,” Cappelli said. “The governor changed that. She sent $800,000 to South Jersey. And since then, towns throughout South Jersey have been having wonderful celebrations. Our restaurants are full. Our hotels are full. Events in Haddonfield, Haddon Township, Collingswood have been extraordinary. Even, right here in Camden City.”
After Cappelli, Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen also thanked the governor for bringing FIFA to other parts of the state and for showing up to the day’s event in person.
In a tour around the event, Sherrill visited the Soccer Post booth, where she spoke to Kessler.
Over the years, Kessler said, soccer has grown in the community.
“It really has become a phenomenon,” Kessler said. “When I was growing up, it was all baseball, football, hockey. But in our area, the love of soccer is awesome. I found, especially being involved in it, the community around soccer and the people involved in it are a serious community. And people support each other. We love being a part of it. We try to do whatever we can do get involved.”
Commissioner Louis Cappelli speaks before a small crowd at the Wiggins Park SoccerFest event.
Rep. Donald Norcross said, before introducing the governor, that the Founding Fathers also enjoyed coming to New Jersey.
“Just across the river–you can swim there–is where 250 years ago, this time of year, they’re getting ready to sign this document that says goodbye, England,” Norcross said. “But you know what they did that night? They came over here to New Jersey, so they could hide and have a party, just like they do every Friday on their way to the shore. Because everybody loves New Jersey.”
Sherrill said that soccer is something that helps to unite people, regardless of what is happening around the world.
“I have been so thrilled because soccer has really brought something to our country, and especially our state, in these times,” Sherrill said. “These are kind of heavy times, they’re kind of dark times. There’s a lot of conflict going on. But what I love about soccer is it doesn’t matter where you’re from, doesn’t matter who you voted for, it doesn’t matter who you pray to. We all come together as a world, as the globe.”
Kessler said she appreciates the governor for “thinking of South Jersey”.
Attendees watching the Norway vs. France game.
