Free Festival At Richland Village

MICHELLE BRUNETTI POST, Staff Writer
 
BUENA VISTA TOWNSHIP — Richland Village is playing all of its cards in one blowout festival Saturday, seeking to draw everyone from old car and train fans to toy and antique lovers.

“It’s our first-ever Richland Village Festival, the first time we have taken things that already go on and moved them to one big day,” said Mayor Chuck Chiarello. The township’s special events committee added more attractions to the four-block event on Route 40, including a rock wall, pony rides and even a camel ride, he said.

The free festival is intended to bring large crowds to the village to see the restaurants, stores and attractions, in hopes that they will become regular visitors, Chiarello said. He said Frank Mosentoff, owner of It’s a Toy Store on Route 40, has been running his toy show for eight years and partly inspired the festival.

Most years in June, the Mustang Club of South Jersey holds a car show in Richland, and It’s a Toy Store holds a show with 100 vendors. Both events have been moved to the festival day, Chiarello said.

There also will be an antiques show and flea market, food trucks, and food and drinks from local restaurants, Lazy Eye Distillery and stores.

New events include train rides on Cape May Seashore Lines and Lenni Lenape dance shows, and the Patcong Valley Model Railroad Club will be open, he said.

“It’s hard to find Shoreline excursions except during Christmas,” Chiarello said. “The train will be making 20-25 minute trips, probably approximately six miles out and back.”

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IF YOU GO

What: Richland Village Festival

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 30 (rain date Sunday, May 31)

How much: Free admission. Train rides $5 for children 12 and younger, $10 for adults

More info: Free parking with hayride shuttle. Live music all day at Saw Mill Park Gazebo. Crafters, community yard sale, toy show, rides on Cape May Seashore Lines Train all day, Lenni Lenape Indian dance show 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dedication of historic caboose 12 p.m. Richland Fire Co. extrication 12:30 p.m. Car show, all makes, 1:30-5:30 p.m. Visit buenavistanj.com to download a festival flyer and map.

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