From the South Orange Village Center Alliance:
On Sunday, September 20 from 1-6 PM, the South Orange Village Center Alliance (“SOVCA”) hosts the second annual PlayDay South Orange: Come Play in the Street, Presented by Rite Aid. PlayDay, produced with the assistance of the Village of South Orange, attracted over 2,500 attendees at its inaugural event in 2014 and is fast becoming the “signature” event for South Orange.
“PlayDay is the one day when everyone gathers together to celebrate and play in the streets of South Orange Village Center, and this year’s extravaganza will be even bigger and better than last year’s event,” said Bob Zuckerman, SOVCA Executive Director. Matt Glass, SOVCA Chairman added, “this is the largest public event in South Orange and is the chance for our entire community to literally play in the street, from basketball and tennis to jump rope, four square, music, food and dance.” PlayDay will take place primarily on South Orange Avenue, which will be closed to vehicular traffic from Ridgewood Road to Prospect Street during the day, as will Sloan Street, Village Plaza and part of Vose Avenue.
Rite Aid is the presenting sponsor of PlayDay South Orange, and is also sponsoring the Main Stage which this year is located adjacent to their store at 139 South Orange Avenue. The event’s Play Area sponsors are Investors Bank (Inflatable Zones), Natalie Farrell from Weichert Realtors (other Inflatable Zone), Sparkhouse (Radio-Controlled Test Track), BCB Bank South Orange (Health and Fitness Zone), EEA Industries (Skate Park), Overlook Medical Center – Atlantic Health (Sport Court), South Orange Country Day School (Art Experience) and Matters Magazine (Street Games).
The Skate Park is new for PlayDay in 2015, and is free for skateboarders 13 and up. All riders must wear a helmet and sign a waiver form, and minors under 18 years of age must have a parent sign their waiver. Also new for 2015 is Minion soccer, a kids fitness area, KidBuild, a baby comfort station, and, making its first appearance in this area, the New Jersey Hall of Fame’s Mobile Museum. Furthermore, a Community Area hosts nonprofit community organizations as part of South Orange Newcomers Day which is also being held on September 20.
PlayDay is open to all and free of charge. The purchase of a $10 wristband is required for unlimited use of Inflatable Zones, Radio-Controlled Test Track, Minion Soccer and Mini Golf.
The Rite Aid Main Stage will be jam-packed with great performances and events. Highlights include the return of the Town Hall Deli Sloppy Joe Eating Contest, including Village President Sheena Collum as a contestant, dancers from Maria Priadka, musicians from Mark Murphy’s Music, local music group Parker 4ve, a dance performance from Studio 509 and DJ Zach Primo.
PlayDay is pleased to have a number of other additional sponsors for its second annual event. Our Supporting Sponsors are: Eventage, Farmers Insurance office of Thurman McKoy, the UPS Store of South Orange, Town Hall Deli, Bunny’s, the South Mountain Y, Mark Murphy’s Music, Sam Joseph from Berkshire Hathaway Realtors, Studio 509, Third & Valley, A Sip of Art and Wellness Lounge. Friend Sponsors are the Vanessa Pollock Realty Team of Keller Williams, Maplecrest Ford Lincoln of Union, the Dancing Blender and Mara’s Café and Bakery. In addition, food and drink will be available for sale at the event, and our food vendors are all local South Orange restaurants. A complete list of our food vendors can be found on the PlayDay website.
Because of the large scale of the event, many streets will be closed, including South Orange Avenue, Sloan Street, Village Plaza and a portion of Vose Avenue. Full parking info and road closure information is available at www.playdaysouthorange.org. Sunday (free) parking rules will be in effect and all public lots (except for the lot across from Reservoir Restaurant) will remain open for the day. South Orange Jitney Service will run every 30 minutes along all regular commuter routes for event attendees.
The rain date for the event is Sunday, September 27.
For more information about the event, please visit www.playdaysouthorange.org and for more information about SOVCA, visit www.sovillagecenter.org.
See photos from last year’s PlayDay South Orange here.
