WALL TOWNSHIP — Wall Township Recreation hosted the annual Wall Fair this past weekend, attracting thousands of local community members for rides, food and fun memories.
The event kicked off on Thursday evening and ran through Sunday, with visitors of all ages filling the fairgrounds at the Wall Municipal Complex on Allaire Road each night. Dozens of rides, food trucks, games and activities were spread across the field, which recreation director Mike Thompson says is planned well in advance.
“This all actually starts the year before the fair,” Thompson told The Coast Star. “We have to book everything, get permits, like for the beer tent; so there’s a lot of work that is done. The process really kicks in when the weather breaks, around February or March.”
Ocean First Bank, LoMurro Law and Timm’s Window Fashions were some of the fair’s top sponsors, helping to make the extravagant four-day event possible.
Live music set the tone each evening of the fair, bringing out smiles and dance moves from attendees. Thompson spoke to The Coast Star on how the fair not only brings the fun, but also raises funds for the recreation department’s operations and programming.
“Everything goes back into the recreation department,” Thompson said. “Whether it’s going towards day camp or the basketball league, it all helps with our programming.”
“Its amazing when you come here and see all the people of all ages that come out,” Thompson said. “It’s such a great gathering.”
With other towns hosting their own fairs, Thompson says there’s something special about the Wall community and the fair.
“The community of Wall responds so well to this,” Thompson said. “They respond here at our biggest event of the year, but they also respond to our touch-a-truck event and our Christmas tree lighting. To be able to provide this to the people and they respond, that’s the payoff. It’s rewarding to see people moving in all different directions each night of the fair.”
The Wall Township Department of Public Works, Wall Police Department and Wall fire departments all had a hand in making sure the fair was safe and secure from beginning to end, along with overarching support from the Wall Township Committee.
“The best is when we start the fair without rain,” Thompson said. “It’s been consistent each night, and the food trucks and rides are doing well, and everyone is happy.”
Some of the food truck options included the Empanada Guy, Shore Fresh Seafood Market, Ragin’ Cajun, Peaches and Cream Ice Cream, the Nip N Truck Bar Food on Wheels, FitChicks and more, who were all prepared to take on fair attendees’ appetites.
Sunday night concluded with a fireworks display, with people flocking in around 9 p.m. to watch the sky light up. The National Anthem was performed prior to the firework shows by vocalist Avery Lawlor, in perfect harmony with the Fourth of July this Friday.
This is an excerpt of the print article. For more on this story, read The Coast Star—on newsstands Thursday or online in our e-Edition.
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