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This is an outdoor event with a car show and classic car owners will not bring their cars out if there is a forecast of rain showers or thunderstorms.
The event will otherwise remain the same.
Park Avenue will be closed from Highland Cross to Ames Avenue from 5-10 p.m. so residents can participate in,
- Classic Car Show
- Dining Under the Stars
- "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" movie and DJ in Lincoln Park
- Beer Tent
- Games and 103.5 radio on Williams Plaza
- Club Fair on Franklin Place
"It was a big success last year," said Rutherford Downtown Partnership's Cori Verdino of the Crusin' on the Avenue event.
This is the second year for the summertime kickoff and car show, and the third year for the club fair.
She said some borough businesses will have demonstrations and information tables, and restaurants so far include,
- Paisano's
- Mambo Tea House
- Risotto House
- Sonoma Bistro
- Village Gourmet
- Big Bowls Little Plates Noodle House
- Azteca Restaurante Mexican
- Sabor Peru will do empanadas in Lincoln Park
More restaurants are being added each day.
The Recreation Department will host activities for children, such as a photo scavenger hunt, a hula hoop contest, a yo-yo contest and face painting.
"We want everyone to enjoy the atmosphere and be excited for summer. It was a simple event last year that really took off and everyone is looking forward to it this year. It's good community involvement," said Barbara Bennett, Recreation Department Director. "The restaurants love it. They said they got so much business from people who weren’t regulars."
The event is hosted by Rutherford Community/Quality of Life Committee, the borough, the Downtown Partnership, Recreation Department and Ambulance Corps.
Sponsors include Cricket Mobile, Frank's GMC, Quality Ford and Tootharium.
The beer tent is sponsored by Rutherford Junior Football and Cheering.
Proceeds from the car show benefit the Rutherford Ambulance Corps. Trophies will be awarded in different categories and organizer William Gumbman, an ambulance corps member and borough police officer, said all cars are welcome to enter. Last year 90 cars participated and this year more are expected.
Cost is $15 in advance; $20 day of the show.
Participating clubs to date include,
- Community/Quality of Life Committee
- Community Food Pantry
- Junior Woman’s Club of Rutherford
- Green Team
- Lions Club
- 55 Kip Center
- Rutherford Special Parents Network
- Civil Rights Commission
- Felician University
"I also serve as Council Liaison on the Green Team. The co-chairwoman told me that the Green Team obtained more than 50 names of people interested in volunteering with the Green Team during the Club Fair 2015," said Smith. "So the Green Team has been very eager to return this year."
Organizations that want to join the club fair can contact Carolyn Smith, Community/Quality of Life Committee Council Liaison at csmith@rutherford-nj.com.
Restaurants looking to participate can email Cori Verdino at the Rutherford Downtown Partnership, office@downtownrutherfordnj.com.
Visit the ambulance corps website to register for the car show. Email Rutherfordcarshow@gmail.com with questions.
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