“Celebrate Middlesex County,” an annual event now in its third year, welcomed a record turnout of more than 5,000 residents and visitors to Roosevelt Park in Edison on June 8.
The event boasted a variety of activities including live music, roller skating, henna art, face painting, a fishing derby, children’s crafts donated by the Home Depot of Woodbridge and Old Bridge, and interactions with robots and county vehicles.
In the Fishing Derby, Oakley Melkowits took the grand prize in the 2-7 age group with a fish measuring 15 inches, according to information provided by the county. Zoe DeLaCruz won the grand prize in the 8-10 age group by catching a 22-inch eel. Matthew Ianiero took home the grand prize in the 11-14 age group with a 12-inch fish. In the same age group, Eliyah Caruso reeled in the most fish with a total of 32 fish caught.
“On behalf of the Board of Chosen Freeholders, we would like to thank all those that helped organize the event and ensure it ran smoothly, as well as those that came out to Roosevelt Park for a day of celebration for our County and its residents,” Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios said in the statement. “We could not have asked for a better turnout or event.”
The New Jersey Fifes and Drums performed late 18th-century music and wore uniforms reminiscent of the 2nd New Jersey Regiment of the Revolutionary War. Lamb’s Artillery also attended, firing their 18th-century cannon every hour throughout the event.
Local food vendors included Maglione’s Italian Ices of Iselin; Flirty Desserts of North Brunswick; Elm Deli of New Brunswick; Popcorn for the People of Piscataway; Mr. Q’s Food Products of Carteret; Zinna’s Bistro of Cranbury; East Brunswick Votech Baking; Mollaga Indian Grill of North Brunswick; Kettlecorn King of Middlesex; Mozzarella Cucina Italiana of New Brunswick; and Macho Nacho Mexican Grill of Perth Amboy.
