Southampton Days Supports Nonprofits and Community

Southampton Days 2013 may have started out as a little muddy, but it’s still a whole lot of fun.

Exciting rides and attractions provided by Skelly’s Amusements, such as the gravity-defying Round Up and the carnival favorite Ferris wheel, held youthful exuberance energized, while live music at the Lions Grove and Midway Stage gathered audiences of all ages.

And, no one seemed to mind very much trekking through the rain-soaked fields of Tamaned Park.

“We hope for good weather, so that a lot of people come out,” Pat Miller, chair of the Southampton Days Committee, said. “And, we are hoping for a lot of people, so they can help support the organizations here.”

Local nonprofits and businesses hold booths and tents along a portion of the fair grounds Most organizations offer food and refreshments, such as the pork rolls and sausage sandwiches of the Southampton Business and Professional Association. The proceeds all return back to the participating organization.

Most organizations have participated with the Southampton Days for most of the county fair’s 41-year history. And, each organization has expressed gratitude for the patronage of those attending the Southampton Days.

“It feels really good,” David Chast, assistant Scout master of Boy Scout Pack 5 and Troop 5, said. “It’s nice to see family and friends, and reacquaint those with what we do.”

At the Southampton-Warminster Lion’s Club booth, Lions Club member Faith Costantini explained that the Southampton Days is one of the largest fundraising events for the service-club throughout the year.

“All proceeds go back to the Lions,” Costantini said. “It’s all for charity.”

Costantini’s husband, the late Sam Costantini, was the first chairman of the Southampton Days committee. 

New this year is the new nonprofit Penn-Tammany Greenway Coalition, whose booth is located toward the backstop of the baseball diamond.

According to Tom Hibbs, president of the coalition, the Penn-Tammany Greenway Coalition marched in the annual Southampton Days Independence Day parade last year, but this would be the first year they held a booth on the fair grounds.

Hibbs said that the coalition’s goal is to help garner public support to help encourage the township in converting inactive SEPTA rail lines into recreational and multi-use paths, otherwise known as “Rails to Trails.”

According to Penn-Tammany Greenway Park board member, Chris Weale,  Tamanend park itself has an inactive rail line that could connect to Churchville Nature Center.

For more information about the upcoming Southampton Days events, visit http://www.southamptondays.com/.  For more information about the Penn-Tammany Greenway Coalition, visit http://www.penntammany.org/.