Getting ready to soak Assemblyman Cody Miller in the dunk tank at the Williamstown music festival were Monroe Councilman Don Heverly (left to right), Councilman Brian Cope, Business Administrator Jim DeHart, Community Affairs leader Brandee Derieux, Project Graduation volunteer Debbie DeFelice and Councilman Al Rossi.
Despite cloudy skies and a short downpour, the sun came out again for thousands of people at the annual Williamstown music festival on the evening of June 7.
They browsed through the many arts and crafts booths, enjoyed the music of three excellent bands, and were fascinated by the brilliance of an amazing fireworks display at Owens Park. Children and adults alike went on rides, played games and tried to soak township officials in a dunk tank to raise funds for Project Graduation.
“We were monitoring the weather all week,” said Monroe Councilman Brian Cope, who pointed out the two stages in the large park. “We got lucky.”
“This is a great event,” added Councilman Al Rossi. “Every year we draw 5,000 to 10,000 people. This festival makes it all worthwhile.”
Attendees were welcomed by volunteers from the township’s parks and recreation department, including ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) Cadet Jayda Shaw, Cameron Breier, Emma Scott, Pauline Blatt, Bernie Burkert, Veronica Diieno, JoAnne Rumpf and Debbie Polisano.
Overall, there were 32 volunteers at the event, including students from Williamstown Middle School and the ROTC program at Williamstown High.
“We are very proud of all the people who helped put this together,” Cope noted. He and Rossi began their terms on council six months ago and they both said they were glad the dunk tank was helping to raise Project Graduation funds as guests plunged Assemblyman Cody Miller and other township officials into the cold water.
“We provide a free, alcohol-free night out at Dave and Busters in Blackwood for the seniors the night of their graduation,” said Debbie DeFelice, a Project Graduation volunteer, adding that more than half of the students in the 400-plus Class of 2025 will participate.
Also at the dunk tank were Councilman Don Heverly, Business Administrator Jim DeHart and Community Affairs leader Brandee Derieux.
Despite the short downpour around 6 p.m., “the rest of the night was really nice. The bands did a great job entertaining the crowd and the fireworks display was amazing,” related Ann Bracarello, an aide with the parks and recreation department.
The huge Owens Park is adjacent to Williamstown High, where attendees parked their vehicles. The park’s lot was filled with nearly 100 food and other vendors who had tables set up to sell their wares. The main stage faced the two football fields, while the second stage was at the baseball field.
Considered one of the best parks in South Jersey, Owens is especially busy in the spring and summer. There are fields for senior league baseball, girls’ softball, minor leagues and football, along with a tennis court, half-a-dozen pickleball courts, two hockey rinks, a basketball and two volleyball courts, a nature trai and playground and two dog parks..
The 4th of July will be the next big event at Owens and will begin with a free puppy parade, 11 a.m. at the dog park. The celebration will end with a fireworks.
