JACKSON – Music, a variety of food, a cool breeze and plenty of people all came together for the Food Trucks and Fireworks event at Johnson Park.
Customers enjoyed empanadas, sausage and pepper sandwiches, burritos, seafood, chicken, ice cream, fried Oreos, lemonade, and so much more during the afternoon.
The Township Recreation Department coordinated the event and Director Joey Anderson said that there were 15 food truck vendors who came out for it. “Unfortunately, one broke down in transit. They all came to us and pay for a spot. We don’t turn anyone away and we have a great variety once again this year.”
One of those vendors was Kierston Connor who joined her mother Peri Connor and her cousin Margo Clayton in a pink mini-bus as part of Kiersten’s Creations. Kiersten said she is celebrating her first year of business and does festivals, private parties, catering and more.
She couldn’t have been happier with the turnout and the reception her business was getting. “The weather is perfect and we’re doing well,” she said. While she sells cheesecake, chocolate mousse and other baked goods, her specialty at this event was large homemade cookie-ice cream sandwiches.
This offered up a cool, different delicacy to those frozen sweet treats offered up by Mr. Softee that was parked right next to them.
Another popular purchase were plates of butterfly potato chips to snack on. The Empanada Beast food truck served up cornbread empanadas of various fillings and yucca fries.
There was some musical variety as well. “We have two bands performing today, Discoteks and Coast-2-Coast. They are both very popular. The day started off with National Anthem being sung by Ann Marie DeLuca of Freehold,” Anderson added.
Jacqueline Rutigliano of Holmdel was enjoying her first Jackson Food Truck and Fireworks event by really swinging her hips to the music with a hula hoop. “This is fun. I was hoping to get them to play ‘Miss you’ but they say that isn’t a Disco song.”
Anderson however got the band to perform the popular song for Rutigliano who was later joined by other attendees using hula hoops to dance to the music.
He noted the presence and assistance of the township’s police department, firefighters, EMS, public works department and other town officials.
Township Recycling Coordinator Irina Darrar was busy passing out recycling information and some swag items including ceramic coffee mugs. Jackson’s Clean Communities tent offered up T-shirts and cloth bags.
The event also proved pet friendly with a number of attendees bringing along their dogs on a leash to the activity. At dusk following the last musical performance fireworks were enjoyed.
Families were also enjoying games like basketball and cornhole. This was one of many community events happening this summer.
Among those forthcoming events is National Night Out where police, firefighters and EMS showcase their services among other township organizations at the local ShopRite parking lot. That event allows for the community to get to know the emergency service responders that serve the community in a fun filled setting. It will be held in August.
Jackson Day will return once again to Johnson Park in October and will include a variety of children’s games and activities, live music, various vendors and booths featuring community organizations, businesses and religious groups.
