Nygel Wells waves at the camera after he opened Delran Night Out on Aug. 5 with the song, “Before I Let Go,” by Frankie Beverly and Maze. See more photos on page …
Mayor Barnes Hutchins stood on stage in the middle of Community Park for Delran Night Out and took it all in.
“Wow,” he said, “what a crowd. This is unbelievable.”
Members of the township’s Recreation Advisory Committee – led by chair Tina Buckley and co-chair Steve Grello – worked hard to “provide something for everyone” on Aug. 5. And they did just that.
Many in the crowd brought their lawn chairs and blankets for the night of music, food and activities. Winners of the township’s first 08075 Can Sing – chosen at Dooney’s Pub Delran in May – kicked the night off. Participants were scored on vocals, stage presence, costume and audience appreciation.
Moorestown resident Chase Mailhiot, 12, came out on top, and two runners-up, Nathalia Teixeira, 17, and Nygel Wells, 25, were second and third, respectively. Teixeira and Wells, both township residents, performed one song each, “This is Me,” from “The Greatest Showman,” for Teixeira, and “Before I Let Go,” by Frankie Beverly and Maze, for Wells.
Mailhiot performed a 20-minute set with a number of hits that included “Please Stay,” by Benson Boone, and “Rescue Me,” by Fontella Bass. But it wouldn’t have been a New Jersey showcase without some Jon Bon Jovi, so Mailhiot ended his set with “Livin’ on a Prayer.”
There were food trucks galore, inflatables, a casino tent, game trucks, police, fire, EMS, face painters, balloon artists and a magician. Samantha Hutchins performed the national anthem before fireworks lit the sky.
Delran Night Out is the township’s version of National Night Out, a country-wide initiative to forge bonds between local police and the residents they serve, according to the National Association of Town Watch. It has been held in cities and towns across the U.S. on the first Tuesday in August since 1984.
In its first year, National Night Out saw some 2.5 million people in more than 400 towns and cities in 23 states join with a simple concept of turning on porch lights and sitting outside. Since then, some 20 million participants have attended neighborhood block parties, festivals, parades and cookouts.
Members of the Recreation Advisory Committee secured donations and sponsorships for most of what was provided during the night, a way to expland community events throughout the year, according to Hutchins.
For future community events, visit www.delrantownship.org.
Nathalia Teixeira sang “This is Me” from “The Greatest Showman” during Delran Night Out on Aug. 5.
Moorestown resident Chase Mailhiot sings to the crowd during Delran Night Out on Aug. 5.
