Cranberry Fest Celebrates 30th Anniversary at Rider
Rider University has celebrated its heritage every September since 1979 with Cranberry Fest, and this year’s 30th anniversary celebration on Thursday, September 10, figures to be one of the biggest and best yet. This year’s event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Daly Dining Hall.
The midday event will be highlighted by the much-anticipated unveiling of the new “Cranberry” costume, a symbol of Rider school spirit, as well as the “cranberry bog” dunk tank, to be manned by some of the Lawrenceville campus’s most notable personalities.
The 30th Cranberry Fest will also offer an opportunity for members of the Rider community to send packages of donated items to the men and women of the United States armed services in Afghanistan, Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries through Operation Shoebox New Jersey.
Rod Hirsch ’74, a Rider alumnus and adjunct professor of Communication at his alma mater, will be on hand to organize efforts for the Hillsborough, N.J.-based armed forces-relief organization, which has sent more than 20,000 boxes, containing toiletries, snacks, note cards and Girl Scout cookies, to U.S. troops in the Middle East. “Hundreds of thousands of packages have been sent in those boxes, a testimony for the passion people have for U.S. troops overseas,” Hirsch said.
Every year, thousands of people volunteer for the cause. Donated items are collected and housed in the headquarters. The nonprofit organization holds packaging events at various venues including VFW halls, churches and schools. Operation Shoebox New Jersey tries to send out packages on a monthly basis.
Those looking to make a difference closer to home will be drawn to the Energy and Sustainability Committee’s information and giveaway table. The Student Recreation Center will also present group fitness demonstrations, and Cranberry Fest fun will include a stilt walker and balloon artist, the Rider game wheel, delicious food and more.
Cranberry Fest honors Andrew J. Rider, the founder and first president of Trenton Business College, the forerunner to Rider University. It was Rider who introduced the cranberry to the queen of England, who subsequently dubbed him “The Cranberry King of New Jersey.” More recently, Cranberry Day has earned significance as the yearly first gathering event of the academic year for the entire Lawrenceville campus community.
This year’s Cranberry Fest celebration will feature the sounds of the Philadelphia-based band Miami, who will play some of the greatest hits of 1979 through today in tribute to the 30th anniversary of the festival. Rider’s own 107.7 The Bronc will also be on hand to keep the music going before and after Miami’s sets.
