Families Pack LaGrande Park for Kickoff of Summer's Party In The Park

The Scene

A warm summer evening. Kids running toward bouncy houses. The smell of hot dogs and pizza. Families spreading blankets across LaGrande Park. A DJ spinning music. Somewhere in the crowd, someone's kid is laughing so hard they can barely catch their breath.

That was Thursday, June 30, when Fanwood's annual Party in the Park drew a large crowd of families to kick off the summer season.

What the Kids Found

The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA set up inflatables across the park—a bouncy house, a slide, a child's play challenge course, and a fitness fun wheel. A scavenger hunt kept younger kids moving through the crowd, searching for hidden items. Adam Sackett of the Family Martial Arts Center in Scotch Plains returned for a karate demonstration that drew cheers from the crowd. Kids watched, amazed at what bodies could do.

DJ John DePalma of All Star Entertainment provided music throughout the evening. Recreation Commission members and volunteers served hot dogs, pizza, and cold drinks. Nothing fancy. Just what kids want on a summer night.

Who Made It Happen

Bruce Zacharin of the Recreation Commission served as Master of Ceremonies alongside Recreation Director Bob Budiansky. Mayor Colleen Mahr and Councilwomen Patricia Walsh and Gina Berry helped run the event, joined by the Department of Public Works crew, Fanwood Special Law Enforcement Officer Jack Ross, and the Fanwood Volunteer Rescue Squad.

For Union County Life readers in Fanwood, this is what community looks like—neighbors showing up, town staff making sure everything runs smoothly, volunteers keeping the energy going.

The Movie

The event ran from 6 to 8:30 p.m., with time to eat, play, and settle in before the outdoor screen lit up. Then Zootopia 2 played on the park's 16-foot inflatable screen as the sun dropped and the evening deepened.

Kids curled up on blankets. Families sat close. Somewhere someone had brought popcorn. The movie played, and for a couple of hours, LaGrande Park became a neighborhood theater.

What's Next

Party in the Park traditionally launches the Fanwood summer movie series. Outdoor movies at LaGrande Park continue every Tuesday night at dusk through August 11. Same park. Same community. Different movie each week.

Summer in Fanwood starts with one big gathering. Then it unfolds slowly, one Tuesday at a time.

FAQ

Q: What is Fanwood's Party in the Park?
Party in the Park is Fanwood's annual summer kickoff event at LaGrande Park, featuring inflatables, food, entertainment, karate demonstrations, and the first outdoor movie of the summer series.

Q: When does the summer movie series continue?
Outdoor movies at LaGrande Park continue every Tuesday night at dusk through August 11, 2026.

Q: Who organized the event?
The Fanwood Recreation Commission organized the event with Recreation Director Bob Budiansky, supported by Mayor Colleen Mahr, council members Patricia Walsh and Gina Berry, the Department of Public Works, Fanwood Police, the Volunteer Rescue Squad, and community volunteers.

Q: What activities were available for kids?
The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA provided inflatables (bouncy house, slide, challenge course, fitness fun wheel), plus a scavenger hunt and a karate demonstration from the Family Martial Arts Center.

Q: Can I bring my family to the Tuesday movie nights?
Yes. The outdoor movie series continues every Tuesday at dusk at LaGrande Park through August 11. It's free and family-friendly.