By Matt Schickling
Wire Staff Writer
Last week was a busy time for Hatboro, but there’s much more to come during “HatOberFest,” the month-long celebration leading up to the Tricentennial Kick-Off Celebration.
Thus far, several events already took place in support of the collective cause, which is to stock two local food pantries at Lehman Methodist Church and St. John’s Lutheran Church. This is the fourth consecutive year the Greater Hatboro Chamber of Commerce and local business have contributed to these pantries, both of which serve Hatboro residents and those in need in surrounding areas.
The events are coordinated by the chamber in accordance with its stated belief that “serving our members and serving the community go hand-in-hand.”
“We ask the different businesses and organizations to give us their thoughts and their plans on what they’re going to have in October and try to work it all out,” Kathy Salemno, executive secretary for the chamber, said. “Everyone works together.”
Last Saturday, several events were organized in support of HatOberFest. The YMCA held events through “Healthy Habits Week,” which culminated on Oct. 18. Throughout, parents and children were educated on the importance of nutrition and exercise. KP Kitchen Crafts simultaneously hosted a “Pick an Apple” contest, where prizes were given for apples picked with a special sticker on them, and a “Paint a Pumpkin” event.
Also on Saturday was Hatboro Union Library’s Monster Mash Halloween Bash, where younger children participated in scary stories, games and crafts with the added perk of getting to wear an early Halloween costume. In addition to these events, Hatboro’s first Rocktoberfest was held at the Tryzub-Ukrainian American Sports Center, where several bands and comedians performed. The event raised money for future beautification projects in the borough.
“Instead of charging for some of these free events, we ask that they contribute to the food banks,” Salemno said. “Admission might be a non-perishable food item or some toiletries.”
This does not mean donors have to participate in the events, though it is certainly encouraged by the organizers. There are five food pantry drop-off sites: the Hatboro chamber office, Hatboro Federal Savings, Hatboro YMCA, Susquehanna Bank and KP Kitchen Crafts.
The next event for HatOberFest is the Community Business and Networking Event held the evening of Oct. 23 at Crooked Eye Brewery, 13 E. Montgomery Ave., from 5:30 to 7, but this is just getting the weekend started early.
As always, on Friday, the Hatboro Residents Association will host its farmers market from 5 p.m. to dusk at Hatboro Baptist Church. On Saturday, the Hatboro YMCA will be holding its eighth annual Skeleton Scurry 5k/1 Mile run beginning at Pennypack Elementary at 9:30 a.m. There will also be trick-or-treating along the downtown business district, with Hatboro Halloween Stroll in the evening. Participating businesses will post a flier in their windows.
For residents who still haven’t had enough of the candy or exercise, two more Sunday events will give plenty of each. State Rep. Tom Murt will host a Disabilities Awareness Walk at Hatboro Baptist Church at 2 p.m. at the Hatboro Methodist Church. The walk will be one mile to raise community awareness for individuals with disabilities. The Lehman Methodist Church will also be hosting its Trunk or Treat event at the church parking lot at this time. This will feature a parade, games and trick-or-treating from the trunks of participants’ cars.
With all of this excitement, residents might forget the payoff.
“It’s to get everyone excited that the tricentennial is coming,” Salemno said. “We’re trying to get everyone together and get some camaraderie so when it comes around we can all work together.”
The Tricentennial Kick-off Celebration will be held on Oct. 25 at the Blair Mill Inn, 3855 Blair Mill Road in Horsham, from 7 to 11 p.m. There will be a buffet, dancing, music, beer tasting and more. Cost is $35 per person or $250 for a table of 10.
In 2015, Hatboro will celebrate its 300th year with monthly events organized by the Tricentennial Committee.
As for future plans, “The Hatboro Holiday Parade in November is our next big push,” Salemno said.
For more information on HatOberFest, visit www.hatborochamber.org.
