Boy Scout Troop 79 will mark 50 years of giving back to the community during event
PETERSBURG — “The Fall Festival is my favorite one, just a great way for everybody to come together,” Upper Township Deputy Mayor Kim Hayes said.
The annual event is scheduled to return from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, at Amanda’s Field, 1091 Route 50.
Hayes called the event “a great way to celebrate where we live and enjoy beautiful Amanda’s Field,” adding that she feels it’s the nicest complex in the whole township.
There will be live music, food and beverages and games, as well as nonprofit groups and first-responder demonstrations. An addition this year is Boy Scout Troop 79 celebrating 50 years in Upper Township.
“I think this is just awesome to know that we’ve been giving back to the community for 50 years,” Scoutmaster Ryon Brooks said, noting the troop has been doing a lot recently to be part of community and “let them know we are here to provide services.”
Hayes said that while she is liaison to the Sports and Recreation Department, it’s Larry Cole and his staff that make the event happen.
“The whole theme is love of community and bringing the community together, so to have people volunteering time to reach that goal is really what’s nice about it,” Hayes said. “It’s community people putting on an event for the community.”
Cole said the event is shaping up to be another successful festival.
“We will have another great Kids Zone set up along with our famous Food Truck Alley and lots of local vendors,” Cole said, adding there also will be the second annual beer garden managed by Ludlum Brewery.
There will be free laser tag sponsored by the Upper Township Rescue Squad and a Kids Zone with inflatables.
“We start planning usually a week after the Fourth of July, then start full-fledge planning — what do we want to keep, bring back, add this year? — all of the key stakeholders sit down and talk about what works, what needs to change,” Hayes said, noting it takes a lot of work to correspond with everyone involved.
Cole said there will be a casual car show — there is no registration but those with classics or hot rods can park in a designated lot.
He said also in attendance will be the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office and its Explorers, as well as the State Police with a helicopter drop in.
Cole said the event involves a lot of work and that volunteers are welcome.
“That’s the one spot we struggle; we’re always looking for volunteers,” he said.
Cole can be reached at (609) 728-2011, ext. 248. Vendors can email recreationdepartment@uppertownship.com for details.
Boy Scouts mark 50 years
Brooks has been part of Troop 79, with a short break, since his youth. He took the reins eight months ago and has plans to grow the troop and take part in more activities.
Brooks said when he was a Scout under legendary Scoutmaster Chuck Webb, there were about 60 boys taking part. This year the troop has 26, having picked up five over the summer.
“I’m trying to make this grow and get us back to where we were,” he said, noting a larger group helps ensure the minimum number for trips.
Participation among the group has been strong, he said, noting they recently were concerned about getting the necessary 12 Scouts to go camping and ended up with 20.
“We’re definitely lighting fires and getting people excited about doing this,” Brooks said. “I have a really awesome core of people and it seems to be growing every day.”
He said the troop has been active for at least 52 years but the 50th anniversary fell during the COVID-19 pandemic and had to be rescheduled.
Brooks said Webb was the troop’s first Eagle Scout in 1969 and still supports the troop.
“He’s been part of organization for a very long time,” Brooks said. “He still has a hand in to this day and has been guiding and inspiring the youth of Upper Township.”
Brooks, 38, noted he progressed from being a Scout with Webb as his Scoutmaster “and flourished into who I am today and what I am doing being the Scoutmaster.”
He said there will be tables set up where Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts can earn merit badges, as well as first aid demonstrations and carnival games.
Brooks said the activities are open to all and he encourages those interested in Scouting to take a look at the activities.
“They can sign up and get their first badge there on the field,” he said.
First aid demonstrations will include CPR compression instruction and use of AEDs.
“We want to get the kids comfortable with providing compressions so they at least know what to do,” Brooks said.
Another activity will include children acting as foosball players and other interactive events such as a rain gutter regatta.
Brooks said he feels it’s important to teach youth about being responsible and good citizens
“I stay in it because it is teaching the younger generation that you are part of the community, the way it is is because of people giving back,” he said, noting the Boy Scout motto “Brotherhood of Cheerful Service.”
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff