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Did you know that the U.S. Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee recommended $157 million for both the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities for Fiscal Year 2020.   Sounds like a lot of money, right?   Well, it’s actually $10.5 million less than what the U.S. House approved in May and what advocates asked for on Arts Advocacy Day ($167.5 million).   Arts funding is actually at risk in the federal budget!   Mainstage Center for the Arts , through the NewJersey State Council on the Arts funding, receives money through the federal budget.   Since the Senate and House have different funding levels that are being approved, there will be a conference later this year to reconcile these numbers.   Why is this important to you?   You can take action by contacting your U.S. Senators to request that the higher numbers approved by the U.S. House is also adopted by the U.S. Senate. Arts funding is a smal...

Historically, the Annual Mainstage Blackwood Pumpkin Festival has been a great way to generate funds for Mainstage Center for the Arts.   Another great source of funding is the New Jersey State Council for the Arts .   So what is this Arts Council? Well, in 1966, the legislature passed and the governor signed a law creating the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and directed the Council to do all that is necessary and appropriate to: Support, encourage, and foster public interest in the arts Enlarge public and private resources devoted to the arts Promote freedom of expression in the arts Facilitate the inclusion of art in every public building in New Jersey The New Jersey State Council on the Arts is a division of the New Jersey Department of State.   The Council works with a broad array of partner organizations in carrying out this work, all of which is governed by strategic plans made in the broader context of Arts Plan New Jersey...

October 6, 2019 will be Mainstage’s 28th Annual Pumpkin Festival.   Every year, the team, led by Special Projects Director, AnneMarie Weaver, work super hard to ensure it’s a memorable event.   The team has developed a survey that asks a few questions about the Pumpkin Festival.    Mainstage appreciates feedback from patrons, vendors and volunteers to find out what works and how they can make the event bigger and better each year. So, please be sure to complete the survey, which will be located at each Pumpkin Festival Information Booth.  When you complete the survey, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a prize.  Now there’s an incentive! For more information about our Pumpkin Festival, visit our website or the Pumpkin Festival Information booth the day of the event.

Scarecrows are designed to scare off pesky birds like crows (hence the name scarecrow) and blackbirds.   However, i f you’ve used scarecrows, I’m sure you know that the effect is almost always temporary.  Over time, the birds get used to the stationary dummies and resume their destructive habits. (insert girl shrugging her shoulders emoji) Mainstage will be hosting a scarecrow making station at it’s upcoming Pumpkin Festival on October 6, 2019.   Even if they don’t scare off the pesky birds, they make awesome lawn décor and your children will love this fun activity!  The Scarecrow Making Station will be at Harwan Park, next to the Rite Aid parking lot, just behind the gazebo. For more information about our Pumpkin Festival, visit our website or the Pumpkin Festival Information booth the day of the event.

Mainstage will be hosting a Treasure Hunt for the children that attend the Pumpkin Festival on October 6, 2019.   While it will be incredibly fun, there are actually some educational benefits to treasure/scavenger hunts!    Here are some benefits of scavenger hunts, taken from the Institute of Educational Advancement : Builds Problem-Solving Skills Hands-on learning has numerous benefits , including increased memory of previously taught concepts. Scavenger hunts allow kids to practice problem-solving in a tangible way. It helps to reinforce and act-out methods they have been taught by parents or teachers in a physical way, leading to increased retention of the lessons. Easy to Customize Scavenger hunts are easy to customize to your child’s abilities and interests. Is your child really into pirates? Create a “treasure” hunt with pirate-themed clues. Do you have a math-lover in your life? Have them solve number problems to get to the next clue. If you ...

Word on the street is the Mainstage hosts a pretty amazing bake off contest at it's Annual Pumpkin Festival!   This will be my first year attending the Pumpkin Festival, which will be held on October 6, 2019.   In addition to the talent show, I’m most excited about the Great Cake Bake Off Contest.   I mean, it’s cake! (insert girl shrugging her shoulders emoji)   If you’d like to enter the contest, you can deliver your cake to Mainstage’s Academy Hall, 27 South Black Horse Pike from 11 am to 2 pm.   Winners will be announced at 3:00 pm at the stage in the Blackwood Rotary Library parking lot. For more information about our Pumpkin Festival, visit our website or the Pumpkin Festival Information booth the day of the event.

Hope you’re ready for our Pumpkin Festival on October 6, 2019.  We have something for everyone:  puppy parades , treasure hunt , talent contests, axe throwing, a beer garden and even a basket auction.   Our Basket Auction with baskets filled with wonderful prizes will be held in the Rite Aid parking lot.  For more information about our Pumpkin Festival, visit our website or the Pumpkin Festival Information booth the day of the event. 

I don’t know about you, but I’m super excited to see the performers in this year’s talent contest at our Pumpkin Festival on October 6, 2019.  If I was brave, I’d register and read some of poetry.  But like I said, if I was brave (insert girl shrugging her shoulders emoji).  You can enjoy watching the pre-registered acts between 11:15 am and 3:00 pm at the Library Stage.  You’ll also be in for another treat, because South Jersey  Nashville Recording Artist Sherry Lynn will be performing! For more information about our Pumpkin Festival, visit our website or the Pumpkin Festival Information booth the day of the event. 

Have you always wanted your puppy to participate in a puppy parade?   Well now here’s your chance!   On October 6, 2019 at 12 pm and 1:45 pm at East Railroad Avenue, between Central and West Lake Avenues, your puppy can strut his stuff at our Annual Pumpkin Festival.   Be sure to arrive 15 minutes early to register. Here are two tips to remember when bringing your puppy to the parade: Monitor your dog’s stress levels Many dogs do quite well at events like parades and have a great time with their owners and other four-legged friends.   However, a parade can be a very hectic and stimulating environment for a dog. So, it’s up to you to recognize when your pet is uncomfortable or stressed and help him however you can. Sometimes that means taking your dog away from the crowd for a few minutes. Keep facial accessories at a minimum Most dogs don’t mind costumes that can be worn over their bodies, like jackets or shirts. However, accessories worn on their...

Our Pumpkin Festival wouldn’t be such a hit without our vendors, volunteers and sponsors!   If you’re interested in becoming a craft or food vendor, visit: Pumpkin Festival Vendor Information  If you’re interested in volunteering, you just have to be 15 years of age or older, or volunteer with a parent, teacher or club advisor.  Pre-registered volunteers get parking passes and a free event t-shirt.   To sign-up, visit: Pumpkin Festival Volunteer Sign-Up   Our sponsorship packages allow businesses in the community visibility while offering a variety of activities for our children and families.   If you would like an opportunity to reach over 10,000 consumers, we invite your business to be a part of one of South Jersey’s largest festivals.   For more information, visit: Pumpkin Festival Sponsorship Packages     Contact our Executive Director Joe Bretschneider  to learn more.

As a newcomer on the scene, this is my first experience with Mainstage’s Pumpkin Festival.   I honestly didn’t realize all the work and behind the scenes coordination that happens to organize a Pumpkin Festival that typically draws 10,000 people.  Ann Marie Weaver, Director of Special Projects at Mainstage leads all committee meetings and ensures we closely track vendor sponsors, offer engaging activities for families and have enough volunteers for this big event.   Past events have been a hit and this year, we’re planning to top previous years with axe throwing activities and a beer garden! For more details, check back here or at Mainstage’s Pumpkin Festival page .

We’re switching gears as Summer Stage at Mainstage has come to a close.   Next up is our 28th Anniversary Pumpkin Festival , which is scheduled for October 6 from 11-4 pm and the rain date is October 13.   The Pumpkin Festival is an annual event for families to celebrate all things fall and pumpkins!    We will have arts, crafts and food vendors, family entertainment and games.  The event will be held at in and around the area at Mainstage Performing Arts Academy at 27 S. Black Horse Pike, Blackwood, NJ  08012. All proceeds benefit Mainstage Center for the Arts, a non-profit organization committed to providing affordable, quality arts education and entertainment for the South Jersey Community. For more details, check back here or at Mainstage’s Pumpkin Festival page .