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Community Corner

Movies and Muscle Cars

The Fanwood Business and Professional Association hosts its first classic car 'Cruise Night' of the summer tonight, timed to coincide with the borough's Party in the Park. Organizers and business owners, however, are skeptical of its succ

Fanwood's Party in the Park, the kick-off festival for its free summer movie series, will once again overlap with the Fanwood Business and Professional Association's (FBPA) Cruise Night this year.

Moviegoers can admire classically restored cars from 6-9 p.m. before the first movie of the summer kicks off. As usual, the Cougar Club of New Jersey and Pennsylvania will put their cars on display free of charge.

"These owners spent a lot of time and money restoring these cars and they want people to appreciate them," said Peter Chemidlin, 49, President of the FBPA, in a phone interview.

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There will be three Cruise Nights in total for the duration of the summer movie series, always on Tuesdays. On each night, three trophies will be handed out to the owners of the cars. Ideally, the winners are picked by the sponsors of the trophies, said Don Wussler, 77, vice president of the club who started the tradition of the Cruise Night when he was president. But due to a lack of funding, the FBPA is sponsoring the first round of trophies this year.

"Times are tough, and nobody came through," Wussler said. "I'm going to have to find some people to go out and pick three cars."

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Due to increased competition by such shows as "Famous Days" on Route 22, Wussler said the car show might not continue in coming years. "This might be the end in Fanwood," he said. But he expressed the hope that at least 20 cars will be out on show tonight.

Local business owner said the event has benefitted them in the past, but are skeptical about the new location. "They used to hold the show right in the back here in the parking lot," said Victor DeJesso, 49, from the Double Dipper Café on Martine Avenue. "This year is the first time they're having it in the park. In the past, people that brought their cars would get something to eat since they were close. Now I'm not so sure"

Others say they currently lack the funds to get the most out of the event. "I would benefit more if I could actually put up an advertisement on the screen," said Martine Avenue Deli owner John Caforio. "But at the moment I don't have the funds."

The cars will be displayed on Second Street, between Martine and La Grande Avenues. The next cruise will be on the July 13, and the final one on August 10.

Party in the Park

Inside LaGrande Park, the Fanwood Recreation Commission will screen Fantastic Mr. Fox, a stop-motion feature starring George Clooney and Meryl Streep, and directed by Wes Anderson. The movie was well-received by critics when it hit movie screens in Nov. 2009. And at the Party in the Park tonight, children can participate in a Fantastic Mr. Fox-themed scavenger hunt.

The Fanwood Recreation Commission (FRC) alongside volunteers modeled the hunt on scenes from the movie, said FRC president Bob Budiansky in a phone interview. He asked that kids bring a basket or a bag to carry the items they collect from the hunt. The first 70 who enter will get prizes. Kids will also get a chance to create a paper bag animal out of recycled paper, which the commission asks people to bring along with them.            

Adults will also have plenty to look forward to at the event. A DJ will perform from 5:30 until the movie starts around 8:30, Budiansky said, and various food items, such as ice cream, pizza, popcorn and lemonade will be available for purchase. Supporting local businesses is a priority, Budiansky said, and many items, such as the pizza, from South Street Café and the ice cream, from The Double Dipper, are bought from surrounding shops.

The commission is still looking for sponsorships for its inflatable screen from local businesses. While some have shown interest, Budiansky said, none have come forward with an actual offer. "While the movie is free for our residents it does cost us something to put it on," Budiansky said of the need for sponsorship.

There will be inflatable rides and the U.S. Sports Institute will host an event for children. This is the fourth year the free movie series is being held in the park by the FRC, and Budiansky said there are usually over 500 people at the opening event: "It's a fun night out at the start of the summer." He added that people who want to watch the movie should bring a chair. 

 

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