Galloway Carnival, National Night Out Make For Crowded Social Calendar Over the Next Week

There will be plenty to do in Galloway Township over the course of the next week, beginning tonight.

For the next three days, the municipal complex, 300 East Jimmie Leeds Road across from Risley Square, will play host to Galloway’s seventh annual carnival, from 6-10 p.m.

Then, on Tuesday night, Aug. 7, the other side of the municipal complex will play host to what could be the biggest National Night Out in the township’s history, Deputy Director of Public Works Beth Stasuk said Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 1.

“The next couple of weeks is going to be insane,” Stasuk said of the amount of time and effort that goes into putting on both events. “ … It’s going to be hectic and crazy, but in a good way.”

It starts tonight, Aug. 2, with Family Night, where wristbands will be $20 for unlimited rides. There will be 16 rides total, as well as $5 pony rides, a rock-climbing wall for $5 and games and food.

Wristbands will be $30 for Friday and Saturday night, and proceeds will benefit Community Cares, Galloway Community Events, the Explorers and the Band Booster Club.

Shortly thereafter, Galloway will take part in the 29th annual National Night Out, a crime and drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW).

This event will feature a number of demonstrations from law enforcement and public safety entities, including a K-9 demonstration, a demonstration by the SWAT team, a medevac helicopter demonstration courtesy AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, a helicopter demonstration courtesy the Forest Fire Service, as well as firemen, Crimestoppers and the Explorers.

“The Secret Service will be there so you can get your child registered in the National Children’s Database,” Stasuk said. “The Smithville Barber Shoppe will be back giving out $5 haircuts, and the Seaview will have watermelon and lemonade.”

Galloway Police will be making hamburgers and hot dogs. The Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Marshals, Renegades football team, Galloway Township School District and the Mother's Club will also participate. Galloway EMS will be on hand with the Rescue Squad to talk about hurricane preparedness.

She also said there will be a bigger presence of chain retailers than there has been in the past, with stores such as Target –the event’s national sponsor- Old Navy, Best Buy and Home Depot set to participate.

She said groups are being added to the list of those participating in National Night Out everyday. They already have over 100 groups participating.

"We had a big turnout last year," Stasuk said. "We had over 5,000 people last year."

Both events are being supported by donations from local businesses.

“There’s going to be something for everybody,” Stasuk said of both events.