Children's carnival rides, a big blow-up slide and a rock wall accompanied some of the booths set up to entertain families. Watch video
HAMILTON - Residents enjoyed rides, activities, food and live music at Hamilton's 33rd annual Septemberfest Sunday in Veteran's Park.
Yardville resident Judy Anderson walked her 7-year-old golden retriever around the festival in the sunny 75-degree weather while her two grandsons, 2 and 5 months, enjoyed the rides and activities nearby.
"I always try to come if I'm free," Anderson said. "I enjoy just being outside. It's always nice weather when you come."
Children's carnival rides, a big blow-up slide and a rock wall accompanied some of the booths set up to entertain families.
A sand art tent and Village Arts, which offers classes in Robbinsville, were at the festival offering children and adults a chance to be creative.
"Come and paint with us if you'd like," a woman shouted from the Village Arts booth, enticing passersby.
Hamilton resident Michelle Myers said she has been going to Septemberfest for the past 15 years and now brings her 5-year-old son and 8-year-old niece.
"It's just a nice day for the family to get food and do kids' activities," Myers said.
RELATED: Hamilton's Vetrans Park hosts Armed Forces Day Tribute
Local food trucks that parked at the festival included Hamilton-based Jersey Devil's BBQ and Mister Sofia's ice cream.
Organizations such as The Arc Mercer's arts program performed music, drama and art demonstrations throughout the day.
The Arc Mercer's residential services administrator Joseph Gleason said the arts program was set up in 2011 and its music program does some local shows such as a monthly performance at the Halo Pub's ice cream parlor in Princeton.
"This (program) is amazing," Gleason said. "It brought out a lot of people with disabilities and opened them up. It's very brave to stand in front of a group of people and say 'this is my talent.' I don't think I could do it."
Marines fro Mercer County also had a tent set up to raise money for wounded soldiers.
Rite Aid even held a tent to give flu shots to festival-goers, which attracted a decently big crowd.
New businesses such as Crunch Fitness, a gym moving into Independence Plaza in Hamilton in December, were stationed toward the entrance of the festival. Crunch's Leo Bawnik said trainers came out to give out information and drum up business.
Lindsay Rittenhouse may be reached at lrittenhouse@njadvancemedia.com. Find NJ.com on Facebook.