Stafford Township Founders' Day Coming Up On Saturday

Stafford Township will celebrate its annual Founders Day celebration on Saturday beginning with a "hometown" parade at the firehouse on Stafford Avenue and down Route 9 North.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at the firehouse located on Stafford Ave and proceed down Rt. 9 North.

The festivities continue after the parade at 2 p.m. at the Doc Cramer Sports Complex, off Doc Cramer Boulevard in Manahawkin.

The Southern Regional High School Vocal Ensemble will perform. Traditional events like the Little Miss Stafford, Little Town Crier contests and the Miss Stafford Pageant will also be held. Come and watch contestants stuff their faces at the pie eating contest.

Craft and food vendors will also be on hand.

The event will be capped off with a fireworks display at dusk. The rain date is Sunday, June 11.

Visitors can also pre-purchase wristbands for two for $10 at the Bay Avenue Community Center. Wristbands are $10 each at the event.

Stafford Township was chartered on March 3, 1749. Prior to that, the township had been part of Shrewsbury Township in Monmouth County. Stafford included all land now belonging to Waretown, Barnegat and much of the area south of present day Stafford, including Eagleswood. Also included was a large part of Long Beach Island, according to the

Stafford Township Historical Society.

Image: Patch file photo.