Have you ever imagined what it would be like if South Orange Avenue were completely closed to traffic, and everyone could play in the street?
You can find out on Sunday, Sept. 21, when the South Orange Village Center Alliance (SOVCA) hosts the inaugural PlayDay South Orange: Come Play in the Street from 1-6 p.m. From street games to inflatables, art activities to sports, plus live music and entertainment (a 9-year-old DJ!) all day and food from local restaurants, PlayDay is shaping up to be a monumental community event.
“PlayDay will be the one day when everyone gathers together to celebrate and play in the streets of South Orange Village Center, and it will be the greatest day of play South Orange has ever seen,” said Bob Zuckerman, SOVCA executive director, in a press release.
Matt Glass, SOVCA Chairman said, “This is the largest public event in South Orange and will allow our entire community to literally play in the street with athletic tournaments, fitness activities, table games, street games, inflatable games, art installations, music, food and dance.”
For a complete schedule of events, plus an event map and more information, visit the Playday South Orange website.
SOVCA anticipates PlayDay becoming an annual signature event for South Orange, picking up where Celebrate South Orange left off a couple of years ago.
Presented by Rite Aid and produced with the help of the Village of South Orange, PlayDay will see much of South Orange Avenue, as well as Sloan Street, Village Plaza and part of Vose Avenue closed to vehicular traffic during the day.
Play Area sponsors include Investors Bank (Inflatable Zone), Maplecrest Ford and Lincoln of Union (Sport Court) and VillageGreenNJ.com (Street Games) and Sparkhouse (Radio Controlled Car Test Track).
In addition, there will be many other areas of play for adults and children including Health and Fitness, Art Experience, Table Games, and Miniature Golf. A Community Area hosts nonprofit community organizations as part of South Orange Newcomers Day, which is also being held Saturday.
PlayDay is open to all and free of charge. Wristbands can be purchased for $10 and are required for unlimited use of inflatables, radio-controlled cars and mini golf.
The Rite Aid Main Stage will be the scene of live performances and events throughout the day. The famous Town Hall Deli Sloppy Joe eating contest returns, with a grand prize of a $100 gift certificate to Town Hall. Entertainers include dancers from Maria Priadka, musicians from Mark Murphy Music, and the South Orange debut of DJ Kai, a 9-year-old DJ from Brooklyn.
Food and drink will be available for sale from South Orange restaurants including Boccone South, Ashley Market, Ariyoshi, Cold Stone Creamery, Stony’s, Bunny’s, Lalibela and Inkosi Café.
A host of other sponsors will help make PlayDay a success, including Supporting Sponsors: Eventage, The Vanessa Pollock Team of Keller Williams, Farmers Insurance office of Thurman McKoy, Eye Level Learning Center, the UPS Store of South Orange, and Town Hall Deli; and Friend Sponsors: PNC Bank, Third and Valley and Dr. Petlover Mobile Veterinarian.
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 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, Sept. 28. For more information about the event, please visit www.playdaysouthorange.org and for more information about SOVCA, visit www.sovillagecenter.org.
