Drew University and Madison will celebrate the seventh annual Community Day on Saturday, September 18, from noon to 5 pm on the front lawn of the university.  Community Day offers something for everyone and has become a community tradition since it was begun by Drew students in 1993, each year drawing well over 2,000 residents.

Activities will be highlighted by free hayrides around campus with Drew students as guides beginning about 12:30 pm.  The popular children’s tent will again feature pumpkin painting, Suzie the Scarecrow, magic,  sand art, face painting, children’s games, and prizes for everyone.  The Madison YMCA Rosettes will show off their tumbling and gymnastics skills beginning at 1 PM.

Food will be provided by the Rotary Club and by local vendors including Rose City Bakery, Begun Palace, and Roccos Pizza.  Popcorn and cotton candy will be on sale at the Children’s Tent courtesy of the Torey J., Central Ave., and Kings Road PTOs.

This year there will be more crafters than ever, with local artisans demonstrating and in some cases selling, examples of the following crafts: pottery making, basket weaving, quilling, doll making from corn husks, jewelry making, quilting, weaving, tin piercing, and wooden barrel crafting.  The Museum of Early Trades and Crafts will let guests try out an apple press and will offer other displays and children’s games.  An organic farmer will offer seasonal vegetables and fruits for sale.

An outstanding group of lecturers will be on hand this year to enlighten and inform. At 3 PM , Janet Foster, chair of the Madison Historic Preservation Commission and Drew adjunct professor,  will talk about  little known aspects of Madison history; at 1 PM Cathy Coultas will talk on the rose growing industry in Madison, and at 2 PM Drew professor Joseph Romance will discuss the elections of 2000.   Popular folk musician Lew Gelfond will be on hand to provide music as will Drew student singing groups including 36 Madison Avenue, who will offer a capella selections.

Representatives from Madison’s Millennium Celebration Committee will be on hand to answer questions about the town’s Millennium Time Capsule and other events planned to celebrate the advent of the Year 2000 in Madison.