EXETER — The Exeter Events team picked up where it left off just two weeks earlier when it held an event for veterans by having the second annual block party at the borough building. Exeter Events is an initiative created by town mayor Denise Adams.
Entertainment was provided from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and local food trucks, including The Sweet Lush Cupcake Camper and Susquehanna Brewing Co., were on hand, along with local vendors selling items.
“We got a lot of positive response with last year’s event,” Adams said. “Everybody was really happy for us to do it again and people would tell us they were waiting for something like this to come back to the town. We’re going slow, but we’re moving forward.”
Adams gives credit to Lori DeAngelo and Lindo Sabatini, co-chairs of Exeter Events, and all members of the organization’s committee.
According to the mayor, this year’s event was a repeat of the format from last year since it was such a success right out of the box.
Perfect Harmony Music School, led by teacher and owner Beth Connor, started off the event where students sang solos, group numbers, and duets. Connor said she had 15 students participate this year.
“I was here last year. I sang for the first one and I brought my students this year,” Connor said. “I love it – we’re finally doing something for the community of Exeter, it’s nice.”
Other acts included The Dawn and Mike Duo, Robb Brown, Wayside, and Bus 5 and a karate demonstration by Galli’s Fighting Chance Karate School.
In addition to the food trucks, former Exeter Police Chief John McNeil prepared the homemade pancake batter, one of his specialties.
There were plenty of children’s activities such as face painting, a fishing game, Nerf football toss, and homemade slime making, as well as jewelry, handcrafted candles, homemade foods for sale, along with raffle items.
Laura Dennis, whose daughter Mia manned the homemade slime stand, was happy to participate in the second annual block party.
“First of all. I’m so grateful for the weather because it’s such a gift considering what it’s been,” Dennis said. “I think it’s so nice for the town to come out and spend time together and see each other, support local businesses, and I especially love how the school children are involved with the cheerleaders being here, the karate school, and kids singing. It’s a really nice forum for them to be able to display their talent.”
“We’ve worked since January to bring this day together, hoping the weather holds out,” DeAngelo said. “We were just hoping for a great day and a lot of fun for the kids.”
