Stockton University and the City of Atlantic City will host the first citywide Atlantic City Community Day Cleanup and Party in the Park from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 23 (rain date April 24).
The event, one of the highlights of Stockton’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2021-22, will bring together city residents, local employees, and Stockton students, faculty, staff, and alumni to work together and have fun.
The day will start with a cleanup at each of the city’s six wards and the beach from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. All that work will be rewarded with a block party in O’Donnell Park across from the Stockton Atlantic City campus.
“We talked to the neighborhood associations and there was a lot of support for having both a community service component and a party to celebrate the day,” said Stockton Atlantic City Chief Operating Officer Brian K. Jackson. “This is truly going to be a citywide event.”
The event is co-chaired by Jackson, who is coordinating the cleanup, and Noyes Arts Garage Executive Director Michael Cagno, who is coordinating the party.
Stockton President Harvey Kesselman said since Stockton held its very first classes in Atlantic City 50 years ago while the Galloway campus was under construction, it is only fitting that the university hold an anniversary party in the city.
“Atlantic City is where we got our start,” Kesselman said. “We are proud to be back in the city at our Atlantic City campus and invite residents to come join us in the celebration.”
Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, a Stockton alumnus, encouraged city residents to participate in the day.
“This is an opportunity for all of us to show our pride in our city,” Small said. “It’s always a great day in Atlantic City, and Stockton is making this a very special day for our residents.”
Neighborhood associations in each ward are helping to secure volunteers for the cleanup. Stockton students and employees, area churches, organizations and businesses have also committed to supporting and participating, including ACDevco, ACUA, Resorts Casino Hotel, AtlantiCare, South Jersey Industries, Hard Rock Casino, Orsted, Spencer’s/Spirit of Halloween, Surfrider Foundation of South Jersey and the Special Improvement Division-CRDA.
Jackson said he anticipates more organizations to sign on to participate, with a goal to have 1,000 volunteers on site that day.
The Party in the Park, scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature food trucks, DJs and live band, games, a magician, art workshops, a hip-hop corner, and villages set up for crafters selling their wares and some 25 community organizations who have registered to participate.
Cagno said they are still accepting food vendors, local crafters and artists for the event.
“We want area residents to have the opportunity to share and highlight their talents,” Cagno said. “This is a day for Atlantic City to shine.”
For more information and to register to participate as a volunteer or vendor, go to the website at stockton.edu/50.
