(VINELAND, NJ) -- Two signature downtown Vineland events have fallen victim to the current COVID-19 situation, but light is at the end of the tunnel.
Main Street Vineland has announced the cancellation of this year’s Cruise Down Memory Lane and the Food Truck Festival on the Ave.
This would have been the 29th year for Cruise Down Memory Lane, South Jersey’s largest car show and an iconic Vineland event. Scheduled for October 10, it had already been postponed from June. The event committee felt, however, that the event could not be pulled off and, at the same time, comply with the current restrictions placed on outside events by Governor Murphy.
The third annual Food Truck Festival on The Ave was scheduled for August 23. The event, which brought thousands of people to The Ave, almost two dozen food trucks, and day-long entertainment would not be able to be held in today’s situation, even with efforts to scale it down this year.
Along comes a light at the end of the tunnel by means of Newfield National Bank. The bank, which was to be a sponsor for both events has committed itself to being the major sponsor of two Main Street Vineland events that are still scheduled—the second annual Run The Ave 5K and the annual Pumpkin Patch Party on The Ave.
The Run The Ave 5K, Cumberland County’s premier road race and held in conjunction with Second Capitol Running, is scheduled for September 13. It brought over 100 runners to downtown Vineland last year and put downtown Vineland on the map for runners throughout the area.
The Pumpkin Patch Party, scheduled for October 31, brings almost 100 children and parents to the mini-park at Landis Avenue and the Boulevard for an afternoon of fun, games, and fellowship.
“It was with deep regret that we had to cancel the Cruise Down Memory Lane and the Food Truck Festival—two of our most successful downtown events. We do not take such actions lightly, but we face unusual times this year and we always believe that safety and health come first,” said Main Street Vineland Executive Director Russell Swanson.
“We want to thank Newfield National Bank, a longtime supporter of Main Street Vineland and its initiatives, for maintaining that loyalty through these difficult times. It is truly appreciated,” he said.
