Things To Do This Weekend (11/27-29/2009) Around Marlton Area

Big weekend ahead after a great Thanksgiving day. But it's time to get up early because THIS weekend starts off with Black Friday shopping.

If you manage to survive there are lots of great events going on. Here are some of the highlights:

GBoys Holiday Parade starts at 11am. The parade will feature Grand Marshal Sally Starr along with Ronald McDonald, Camden Riversharks mascot Finley, the Camden Children's Garden's Mum Bear and more. The parade starts at Route 70 from the circle (in parking lot near Friendly and ShopRite),  down to GBoys located on 801 W Route 70 where the events continue at GBoys.

See the musical based performance of  Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory tonight and tomorrow (7:30pm) at The Lenape Regional Performing Arts Center at Cherokee High School. Presented by Cherokee Drama Club based on the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder music and lyrics by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse. For details, see below under Friday and Saturday events..

Ready for a parade? The 2009 Collingswood Holiday Parade which is the largest Parade in South Jersey, is scheduled for Saturday, November 28 beginning at 10 am, running along Haddon Avenue beginning at Zane Avenue and continuing to West Linden Avenue, through the heart of historic Collingswood.

Cars from the Original Garden State Corvette Club and dozens of other antique and historic autos and motorcycles will drive down the parade route. This year'sGrand Marshal is Pat Ciarrocchi from CBS 3. The Phillie Phanatic and other Philadelphia Sports mascots will ride along also. Dance to marching bands, Mummers, string bands and oldies tunes. Get the latest event info by searching Twitter for #collsparade.

Take a magical ride with Santa Claus this Saturday, November 28, for PATCO’s 18th annual Yuletide Ride. The fun begins at 9 a.m. at Woodcrest Station in Cherry Hill, NJ, with clowns and live music from the John Breslin Band, Season’s Greetings, Sound Express Barbershop Quartet and others. Santa will be at the station and on the train.

At 9:50 a.m., it’s all aboard the Yuletide Ride as it pulls out of Woodcrest Station and heads for 8th & Market in Center City Philadelphia. The second Yuletide Ride departs Woodcrest Station at 10:05 a.m. The Yuletide Ride is free, one-way for everyone boarding at Woodcrest Station. Return trip tickets for passengers ages 5 and up will be sold at Woodcrest Station. For more information contact PATCO at (856) 772-6900 or visit PATCO website.

Friday 11/27/2008

For Everyone:

BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING – All day and night at any mall shopping center or store all around the MArlton area. Shop t"till you drop" (or run out of money.

South Jersey Camera Club Show – Medford Leas Gallery 9am-8pm – Enjoy a wide array of photographs taken by membersof the South Jersey Camera Club. Admission is free. 1 Medford Leas Way Medford, NJ Phone: (609)654-3007.

Beauty and Mystery of the Pine Barrens Art Exhibit – Mount Laurel Public Library 9:30am-9pm – The library will host Irvane Spracklin's exhibit, "Beauty and Mystery of the Pine Barrens." 100 Walt Whitman Avenue Mount Laurel, NJ08054 Phone: 856-234-7319.

Philadelphia Flyers vs Buffalo Sabres – Wachovia Center 1pm.

Cooking classes – Sur La Table 6pm – Sur La Table holds classes in how to cook everything from sushi to pasta, tarts to bread. Pricing: Most classes $59 to $69. The Promenade at Sagemore Marlton NJ, 500 Route 73 S Marlton NJ 08053. Phone: 856-797-6572.

Philadelpha Sixers vs Atlanta Hawks – Wachovia Center 7:30pm.

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory – (LRPAC) The Lenape Regional Performing Arts Center at Cherokee High School7:30pm – Presented by Cherokee Drama Club based on the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder music and lyrics by AnthonyNewley and Leslie Bricusse. TICKETS $10 – Adults, $5 – Students and Children, FREE with Lenape District Golden AgePass. For more information Visit www.sjtheater.com or call 856-983-3366 for tickets and information. 130 Tomlinson Mill Rd Marlton, NJ 08053.

For Kids and Family:

Santa at the Malls – Cherry Hill Mall, Deptford Malls, Burlington Center Mall, Moorestown Mall, Voorhees TownCenter. Before visiting Santa, make sure you check the mall hours for when Santa takes a break!

GBoys Holiday Parade – Starts at 11am on Route 70 from the circle (in parking lot near Friendly and ShopRite) downto to "G" Boys located on Route 70. GBoys address – 801 W Rte 70 Marlton, NJ 08053 (856) 983-3300.

Toddlers' Playgroup – M. Allan Vogelson Regional Branch Library 11am-12pm – Ages 18-36 months. Toddlers will playwith new friends, and grown-ups have a chance to chat. Library will provide the toys and books; no organized programming. Bring your own snacks. 203 Laurel Road Voorhees, NJ 08043 Phone: 856-772-1636.

"Got Leftovers?" – Garden State Discovery Museum 12pm-3pm – Kids can participate in after-Thanksgiving culinary crafts such as painting with cranberry sauce, creating pointillism art with corn and making bread bird feeders. 2040 Springdale Road Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 Phone: 856-424-1233

Haddon Heights Holiday Parade – From Second to Seventh avenues along Station Avenue 6pm – March includes bands, the Phillie Phanatic, Santa and much more. Children are also welcome to stop by the borough hall and have their picture taken with Santa. For info visit http://www.haddonhts.com or call 856-547-7164.

Tree lighting and Holiday Entertainment – Haddonfield, NJ 6pm-9pm – Haddonfield Pick-Up Band, Shades of Harmony Chorus, Freedom Brass and Marc Sengin perform. Visitors can also take carriage rides and visit with Santa on Fridays through Dec. 18. Also, the Indian King Museum will be open for tours from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For info visit http://www.haddonfieldnj.org or call 856-216-7253.

Sleeping Beauty – First United Methodist Church Haddon Heights NJ 7:30pm – Traditional musical show for children. Tickets available at the Haddon Heights Library on Station Avenue and at the church prior to each show. Price: $7. 704 Garden Street Haddon Heights, NJ 08035 Phone: 856-547-3300.

Saturday 11/28/2008

For Everyone:

3rd Annual Turkey Trot 5k and 1-mile Fun Run/Walk – Haddon Township Municipal Building 8:45am – One-mile fun/walk begins at 8:45 a.m. and the Turkey Trot at 9 a.m. There is a breakfast reception and awards ceremony following the race at the Pour House. The first 400 entrants will receive a free logo T-shirt. Proceeds will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. 1135 Haddon Avenue Haddon Township, NJ Phone: 856-854-1176.

Lenape High School Craft Party – Lenape High School 9am-3pm – The Lenape Band Parents Association will host the annual craft show, featuring more than 190 crafters who will be selling holiday and everyday crafts and food. There will be handmade jewelry, fine arts, photography, food items, candles, clothing and accessories, and home décor all created by local craftspeople. Proceeds from the fair benefit the band programs at Lenape. For more information, contact Lenape High School at (609) 654-5111. 235 Hartford Road Medford, NJ 08055.

Moorestown Cat Fanciers Championship Cat Show - Cherry Hill National Guard Armory 9am-4pm – This event will feature up to 225 pedigreed and household pet cats from New Jersey and surrounding states as they compete in six rings for top awards. Spectators are invited to watch the judging and wander the show hall to visit with cats and exhibitors. Vendors will offer cat-related items for sale, and a local shelter will offer cats for adoption to loving home. $5 adults; $4 children and senior citizens. Grove Street and Park Boulevard Cherry Hill, NJ 08002. Phone: 609-597-6145.

PATCO's 18th Annual Yuletide Ride – PATCO Woodcrest Station 9am – Clowns, live music and Santa meet-and-greets. The first Yuletide Ride pulls out of Woodcrest Station at 9:50 a.m. and heads for 8th and Market streets in Center City Philadelphia. The second Yuletide train departs at 10:05 a.m. The Yuletide Ride is free one-way for everyone boarding at Woodcrest Station. Staff will assist customers to purchase tickets for their return. Woodcrest Road and Melrose Avenue Cherry Hill, NJ 856-772-6900.

Annual Gobbler 5K Run and Family Fun Walk – YMCA Camp Ockanickon 9:30am – Runners and walkers will challenge themselves against the clock and the scenic tree and lake-lined paths of Camp Ockanickon. You can view the 5K course layout at www.mapmyrun.com. Proceeds help the Strong Kids Scholarship Campaign. There will be prizes for the top three places in each category. Registration fees are $60 for teams of four people, and $20 for individuals. For the one-mile walk, registration fees are $15 for adults and $30 for families. For more information, visit www.ycamp.org or call Darleen Blesi at (609) 654-8225. 1303 Stokes Road Medford, NJ 08055.

Collingswood Holiday Parade – Haddon Avenue Collingswood NJ 10am-12pm – Organizers bill the annual tradition as the largest parade in South Jersey. CBS 3/CW Philly anchor Pat Ciarrocchi will serve as grand marshal. Those who attend are asked to bring a new unwrapped toy to donate to the "Joy of Sharing" campaign.

Craft and Food Fair - Bethany Presbyterian Church 11am-3pm – Crafters and vendors will have their wares on display, plus homemade, hot sandwiches and vegetable beef soup. 1701 Sycamore Street Haddon Heights, NJ 08035Phone: 856-546-8457.

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory – (LRPAC) The Lenape Regional Performing Arts Center at Cherokee High School7:30pm – Presented by Cherokee Drama Club based on the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder music and lyrics by AnthonyNewley and Leslie Bricusse. TICKETS $10 – Adults, $5 – Students and Children, FREE with Lenape District Golden AgePass. For more information Visit www.sjtheater.com or call 856-983-3366 for tickets and information. 130 Tomlinson Mill Rd Marlton, NJ 08053.

For Kids and Family:

Santa at the Malls – Cherry Hill Mall, Deptford Malls, Burlington Center Mall, Moorestown Mall, Voorhees TownCenter. Before visiting Santa, make sure you check the mall hours for when Santa takes a break!

Sleeping Beauty – First United Methodist Church Haddon Heights NJ 11am and 2pm – Traditional musical show for children. Tickets available at the Haddon Heights Library on Station Avenue and at the church prior to each show. Price: $7. 704 Garden Street Haddon Heights, NJ 08035 Phone: 856-547-3300.

Preschool Storytime – Barnes and Noble 11am – 200 West Rt. 70. 11 a.m. Phone 856-596-7058 for info.

Sunday 11/29/2008

For Everyone:

South Jersey Camera Club Show – Medford Leas Gallery 9am-8pm – Enjoy a wide array of photographs taken by members of the South Jersey Camera Club. Admission is free. 1 Medford Leas Way Medford, NJ Phone: 609-654-3007.

Phialdelphia Eagles vs Washington Redskins – Lincoln Finacial Field 1pm.

Tree-lighting celebration – Hope United Methodist Church 7:15pm – Christmas carols, hot cider and chocolate and cookies for the whole family. 700 Cooper Road Voorhees, NJ Phone: 856-753-7355.

For Kids and Family:

Sleeping Beauty – First United Methodist Church Haddon Heights NJ 7:30pm – Traditional musical show for children. Tickets available at the Haddon Heights Library on Station Avenue and at the church prior to each show. Price: $7. 704 Garden Street Haddon Heights, NJ 08035 Phone: 856-547-3300.