Wall Fair’s ‘inaugural’ year successful, draws crowds
By Jamie Biesiada
“What a perfect way to bring people together.” — Fred Rummel, Wall resident, fair volunteer
The transformation from the Wall Day of years past to a full-fledged, three-day Wall Fair was a success in this, its “first” year.
Held over the Fourth of July weekend from July 1 to 3, the event was the first multi-day carnival Wall residents have seen in many years, as opposed to the one-day affair held in the past few years.
“We were pleasantly surprised by the amount of people that came out for opening night,” Recreation Director Edward Grill said on Saturday evening.
He estimated several thousand people attended the fair on Friday night, and the beer garden — the first beer garden at such an event — “went off without a glitch.”
The Wall Fair featured everything from sky divers to a Wiffle ball tournament to performances by local bands, and concluded with the township’s traditional fireworks display on Sunday evening at dark [see related story], just before the Fourth of July.
On Saturday, crowds steadily streamed into the fair grounds beginning at 5 p.m. The fair ran until 10 p.m. each evening.
“Everything is going well here,” Fred Rummel, a Wall resident and a volunteer identification-checker at the beer tent, reported.
Mr. Rummel also organizes the ever-popular Firecracker Five Mile Run, held on the Fourth of July each year [see related story, sports section].
“This is a new kid on the block,” Mr. Rummel said, referring to the beer garden. “It [the garden’s first night operating] was slow, but there were a few people that enjoyed it.”
He noted the beer garden is just another facet of the fair for attendees to enjoy.
Resident Chuck McFadden was also volunteering at the beer garden’s entrance on Saturday. He had been there the night before, as well, and was happy to report “nice weather,” as well as many “nice people” entering the garden.
“I always hope for a successful Wall event,” Mr. McFadden said.
Committeeman Todd Luttman was also at the fair both Friday and Saturday.
“This is a great community event,” Committeeman Luttman said, noting the excellent turnout.
In addition to the volunteers at the beer garden entrance, several police officers were in attendance at the fair, as well.
“We are in full support of the fair, and we are covering it,” Detective Heath Bono said.
Two officers were stationed on the fair grounds on quads, Detective Bono said, ensuring they could quickly reach any area of the fair should a problem arise.
The regular squad of officers was on duty as well, he said, to cover the other 32-square miles of Wall Township throughout the duration of the fair.
Before the fair even began, Mr. Rummel pointed out, volunteers all took a course on how to operate the beer garden.
Mr. Rummel also said he was “very, very excited” for the Kids’ Races the next day, another event he organizes, as well as the annual fireworks display.
Local bands were given the opportunity to display their talents throughout the duration of the Wall Fair, including Oceanside Motion, playing on Saturday afternoon.
The band consists of Gus Arndt, 15, of North Caldwell; Alex Mendelson, 15, also of North Caldwell and Austin Ridoux, 16, of Wall Township.
Gus’ parents Dave and Ann Arndt stood in the audience while their son played, something Mrs. Arndt noted parents will drive great distances for — as they did.
Austin’s mother, Denise Ridoux, was also in the audience. She said her husband, Wall Ptl. Serge Ridoux, had worked at the fair in years past, and suggested it as an excellent venue for the band to play.
While Oceanside Motion took to the stage, many residents and non-residents alike took to the fair grounds, enjoying the many rides on hand.
“We’re having a good time,” Mike DeVita, of Wall, said of himself and his two children, Marissa, 7, and Marco, 5, who were enjoying a ride.
“They are liking the rides,” he said, of his children’s favorite part of the fair.
While Mr. DeVita kept an eye on Marissa and Marco, his wife, Sue, waited for their third child, Matthew, 10, to enjoy another ride across the fair grounds.
“He likes any ride,” Mrs. DeVita said, of Matthew’s preference at the fair. She noted Saturday’s weather added to the good time the family was already having at the fair.
Children and teens alike who attended the fair for rides were not disappointed.
All-you-can-ride wristbands were available each night, which granted fair patrons admission to a variety of rides for all tastes: a ferris wheel, fun slide, Round Up, the Monkey Maze, bumper cars and more.
For those who preferred a tamer evening, balloon-popping games and other, carnival-style games were available, as was a variety of fair fare, such as hot dogs, funnel cakes and more.
Mayor Ann Marie Conte was enjoying her second evening at the fair on Saturday.
“It was a nice flow of people, families,” she said, of Friday’s crowd.
The enhanced number of rides “were a hit,” the mayor said.
“I’m looking forward to the next two days,” Mayor Conte said, as the fair kicked off on Saturday night.
Mr. Rummel pointed out that Wall Township lacks a central area, like Main Street in neighboring Manasquan or Third Avenue in Spring Lake. However, he said, the Wall Fair on the grounds of the Municipal Complex can provide that type of atmosphere for residents and visitors alike.
“I always believe you need something to bring people together,” Mr. Rummel said, of the Wall Fair. “What a perfect way to bring people together.”