Fireworks, Rides, Music in Store for Butler Day

Expect to see Richard Butler Field transformed on Sunday, May 26.

Robert Soules and Shelli Taggard of the Butler Recreation Commission have put in hours of planning to try to make the first Butler Day something the entire community can be proud of.

"We're hoping to have as many people as our largest football game," Soules said. A crowd of about 2,000 people would be ideal.

With the school year still in progress and damage from Hurricane Sandy still scarring the Jersey Shore, Soules said he hopes Butler residents will stay home this Memorial Day Weekend and enjoy the festivities at Butler Day instead.

Entrance to Butler Day will be at the Butler High parking lot. Vendors with their wares and a few food stands will be closest to the lot, with carnival rides at the rear near the visiting team bleachers.

Live bands from throughout town will perform all day until the fireworks show at the end of the night.

Butler Day will officially open at 3 p.m. May 26, with a rain date of Monday, May 27. Fireworks will start at 9:15 p..m.

Butler is currently the only town in the Tri-Boro without a community festival. Bloomingdale hosts Pride Day each year and Kinnelon has hosted K-Fest for the past two years.

"A lot of towns in Morris County do something like this," Soules said. "I just thought Butler should have one, too."

The track and field at Richard Butler will be blocked off and not in use during Butler Day. "We just finished the fields," Soules said, and the schools and council want to make sure the field stays pristine for use by the athletic programs.

Over 20 local businesses, churches and community groups have already agreed to sponsor the event, from the Butler Education Association, Butler High School Booster Club, Jewett Painting, Trackside Bar & Grill and the Route 23 Auto Mall.

Any local businesses or groups who wish to help sponsor the event can contact Soules at 862-432-6862 or Taggart at 201-397-5921.