Mayor’s Column: Carnival comes to Voorhees Town Center
As the weather heats up, so do the activities at the Voorhees Town Center as a 10-day carnival opens on April 25 and the Farmer’s Market begins on May 11.
From April 25 through May 5, the Town Center will host a carnival to benefit the NephCure Foundation, a leading worldwide organization, which supports research for the cure of the kidney disease focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). The disease is a malfunctioning kidney disorder and appears most often during childhood.
Ron Cohen, Vice President of The NephCure Foundation, approached the Voorhees Town Center several months ago and asked them to host a carnival to benefit their grandson, Benjamin, who was diagnosed with FSGS at the age of 13 months. Benjamin is now 11 and continues to fight the battle. Ron and his wife, Fran, founded the Foundation in the hopes of finding a cure for the disease. Anyone can contract FSGS and it is one of the most common causes of Chronic Kidney Disease and is responsible for approximately 12 percent of kidney failure in adults and 20 percent in children. Approximately 5,400 people are diagnosed with FSGS annually and there are currently no approved drugs for treatment.
The carnival will be held on weekdays from 5 to 11 p.m. and weekends from noon until 11 p.m. Tickets are $1 each or 50 for $40. Wristbands are available Monday to Friday for $25 or $30 for Saturday and Sunday. For more information about the carnival or the NephCure Foundation, visit www.voorheestowncenter.com or www.nephcure.org.
The Farmer’s Market returns to the Voorhees Town Center on Saturday, May 11, from 8 a.m. until noon and will operate every Saturday, rain or shine, through Oct. 5 on the Boulevard. Vendors will include Duffield’s, Fruitwood, Bellview Winery and more, supplying “Jersey Fresh” and locally grown produce, meats, cheeses, wines and more.
On May 11, the Farmer’s Market will host a kickoff celebration that will include pony rides, a baby farm animal petting zoo, balloon sculptures and a sidewalk chalk area. From 9 a.m. until noon that day, enjoy the sounds of Caribbean steel drums, which will serve as a prelude to “Caribbean Summer” Block Parties at the Farmer’s Market on June 15, July 13 and Aug. 10. Shoppers will enjoy live Caribbean steel drums and receive free floral leis on those special dates.
Customers who “check-in” “tweet” or “like” the newly created Voorhees Town Center Farmer’s Facebook page at the Information Tent will receive a free Farmer’s Market tote bag.
While you are in the neighborhood, enjoy a great meal on “Restaurant Row” along the Boulevard or visit It’s a Doggie Dog World.
VOORHEES TOWN CENTER: IT’S WHERE TO GO!
** The 9th annual Wine Tasting to benefit the Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation will be held on Thursday, April 25, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Virtua Barry Brown Education Building, 106 Carnie Boulevard in Voorhees. The event features over 250 of the most interesting fine wines and craft beers from around the world, accompanied by gourmet delicacies. Wine experts and winemakers are available to answer questions. Ticket donations are $50 per person in advance or $60 per person at the door. For reservations, call 784–0615 or visit www.arvfevents.org. The foundation installs teen centers in hospitals throughout the country to bring hope, excitement and entertainment to teens facing difficult conditions while receiving hospital treatment.