Bonfire Still On Schedule For Saturday Night

Warren Township' third annual Yuletide Bonfire is set to be ignited 6 p.m. Saturday in the Bardy Road park behind the municipal complex, after winter storms pushed the event back twice.  

Hosted by Township Committeeman Mal Plager, the event will include presentations by local Boy and Cub Scouts, musical entertainment by local singer Bob Marino and The Frets, a group of middle school musicians led by teacher Bob Orzat.

Recreation Director Eleanor Hermann, who has had to coordinate the various volunteer groups helping to organize the bonfire, said "We are definitely ready to go."

"We've had a lot of players (volunteers) this year, and, man, it's been wonderful," she added.

She said members of the Warren Blueridge Hunting Club will be setting up tents, heaters and lights for the event, with members of Boy Scouts Troop 228, Cub Scout Pack 182 and local Girl Scout helping with a flag ceremony, as well as roasting marshmallows and offering other treats for residents attending.

Residents will also be able to enjoy donuts (courtesy of the Greenbrook Plaza Dunkin' Donuts), and coffee and hot chocolate from Starbucks, served up by the Warren Lions Club.

The American Red Cross and Forest Lodge are providing water canisters for hot water, while the Country Squire Restaurant donated the cups.

And perhaps most importantly, Anderson Arbor Care, of Martinsville, is providing the firewood to start the bonfire and for fires inside the pavilion.

TD Bank has arranged carriage rides, and at 7 p.m., a special mystery activity for kids will be held, offering prizes donated by the hunting club.

Ice skating and sleigh rides are also expected to be available.

Musical entertainment, sponsored by Warren.Patch.com, will include the performance by Warren resident Bob Marino from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., followed by The Frets.

Stop by the Patch table to meet with the local staff, and receive a free gift. The first 50 visitors can also get a package of seeds to start their own patches ... of widlflowers, herbs or vines.