Spend Labor Day Sunday At Netcong Day

By Elsie Walker

Are you dreading the Labor Day weekend traffic and driving somewhere to have some fun? Netcong Mayor Jim Nametko says that rather than sitting in traffic come to Netcong Day.

“There’s something for everyone and it’s all free,” he said.

Held Labor Day Weekend Sun., Sept. 6, the day features a 5K Run-Walk, a music fest, a street fair, a children’s area complete with bouncy house and DJ and much more.

The day kicks off with the Run-Walk at 10:30 a.m. sharp (registration starts at 8:30 a.m.) on Maple Avenue and the Street Fair and other activities begin at 11a.m. on Main Street. Parking is free and available at the Netcong Train Station including an ample supply of specially designated handicap available spots set up especially for Netcong Day events.   The event will be held rain or shine. Applications for vendors are still being taken. Learn more at www.netcong.org and www.facebook.com/Netcongrecreation.

The Run-Walk is U.S. Track and Field sanctioned, but is open to all runners and walkers. The Start-Finish line is at Borough Hall, and rolls through downtown and continues along the banks of the scenic Lake Musconetcong. The Mayor’s Cup will be presented to the fastest male and female runners and plaques to the top second and third place in several age groups. Teams of five or more are also invited to compete for the team awards.   Participants receive the official Netcong 5K 2015 T-Shirt and Goodie Bags while supplies last.  There’s same day on-site registration, or register online at https://netcong.org/2015-netcong-5k-race/.

Nametko said that because of being U.S. Track and Field sanctioned they get a number of runners from the Tri-State area.

“We’ve had as many as 350 people and rain seems to bring more out,” said Nametko, including many families. He said that one of the things participants find special is that the Lenape Valley Regional High School cheerleaders are on the Main Street sidelines cheering everyone as they go and return.

Continuing in the fun of the day is the Street Festival starting at 11a.m.

People can stroll through the area and take in a variety of musical sounds. A team of DJs will be on the street playing musical offerings appealing to the young and young at heart. The Netcong Day Music Fest will be on Main Street, close the NJ Transit parking lot from noon to 4:30 pm.

The music starts with Nalani & Sarina, sisters who perform original music with two female back- up singers. Their music offers something for everyone. Then, starting at 2 p.m., there will be Southern Skyy which performs southern rock.

Nametko said, “This band was at Netcong Day two years ago and played some fantastic music.”

Among the sights of the Street Fair will be vendor and food booths such as Knights of Columbus, a New Jersey Devils table, a Kid’s zone, live entertainment, and a variety of offerings from local organizations, with the anchor being a Jumble Sale at the Stanhope United Methodist Church on that day.

Netcong resident Leigh Ann Von Hagen said, “The Netcong Community Partnership will continue our ‘Shop, Dine, Love Netcong’ campaign with our ‘I  Love  Netcong’ photo booth and by providing free access to a Kids Zone with inflatable bounce houses and slides.

Hagen said, “The Netcong Community Partnership is a non-profit volunteer organization responsible for the revitalization and general upkeep of the borough’s business district.   We are working on our vision to attract, retain, and promote businesses that add to the quality of life of residents, customers and surrounding communities. Netcong is a great town to live in. There are so many great restaurants, stores and beautiful places to walk. The Trustees and members of the Netcong Community Partnership recognize the incredible potential of the town and devote many hours to helping make it an even better place.”

For those looking to shop, one place to check out is the jumble sale at the Stanhope United Methodist Church.

A jumble sale is “a sale of a mixed collection of things that people no longer want, especially in order to make money for any organization,” explained church member Helen Talley-Stein of Hopatcong.

The church will be offering free parking and many interesting items for sale including some crafts. Having the sale will also allow people to see the historic church building which is on the National Register of Historic Places and the New Jersey Register of Historic Places.

Netcong Day offers something for everyone, so why sit in Labor Day weekend traffic when there is plenty of fun at home?

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