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Christmas in July heats up Parvin State Park

Jodi Streahle
For The Daily Journal

PITTSGROVE - The Parvin State Park Appreciation Committee provided a perfect way to beat the heat Saturday as it celebrated Christmas in July at the Parvin Lake swimming area.

Two giant inflatable waterslides set up by American Bounce provided hours of entertainment for children at a reasonable price. For only $8 children received a wristband that gave them access to unlimited turns on the waterslides and train rides as well as fun in the sun at the beach.

Adults paid the normal $2 entry fee to the beach area, the picnic areas and concession stand. Canoe and kayak rentals also were available.

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Jeannie Scott of Pittsgrove came out to Christmas in July with several members of her family. She said she raised her children in Pittsgrove, but never spent too much time at Parvin State Park. Now that she has grandchildren, the park has become a regular part of their recreational activities.

The Parvin State Park Appreciation Committee Inc. hosted a Christmas in July celebration Saturday, July 23. Children ejoyed unlimited rides on inflatale waterslides for $8. Photo/Jodi Streahle

“I finally realized what a gem we have here,” said Scott. “The admission price is so reasonable.”

The smell of barbecue and the sound of Christmas music filled the air as visitors approached the welcome gate at Parvin Grove.

“I live in the Christmas house right up the street,” said Harry Snyder of Pittsgrove who volunteered to deejay the event from his Philadelphia Eagles Music Machine. “This is my township, and I like to volunteer for things here.”

Harry Snyder of Pittsgrove volunteered to deejay the Christmas in July Celebration at Parvin State Park from his Philadelphia Eagles Music Machine. Photo/Jodi Streahle

Once inside, children on the beach who didn’t have wristbands found it hard to resist the fun, which created a steady flow of customers for the Parvin State Park Appreciation Committee.

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Craig English, 6, of Pittsgrove never stopped smiling as he raced back and forth between the two waterslides. One slide was tall and steep. “When I go down it, I get mixed up in my head,” said Craig as he squished his head trying to demonstrate the dizzy feeling he got from the slide.

Temperatures soared into the 90s on Saturday and attracted a large crowd at the Parvin State Park swimming area. Photo/Jodi Streahle

“We decided to try to beat the heat and spend the day at the lake,” said Craig’s mother, Pamela English.

Train rides on the Choo Choo Tommy were also included in the wrist band purchase during Christmas in July at Parvin State Park on Saturday, July 23. Photo/Jodi Streahle

With temperatures well into the 90s, Mother Nature had a hand in helping the Parvin State Park Appreciation Committee. Members have been working hard to get the word out that the park is an ideal place to spend your time.

“We are trying to get people to come out here,” said Linda DuBois, public information officer for the Parvin State Park Appreciation Committee. “With the help of Mother Nature, it looks like we did that today.”

Gianna Campbell, 6, of Camden prepares to slide down an American Bounce waterslide while visiting Parvin State Park during the Christmas in July celebration on Saturday, July 23. Photo/Jodi Streahle
Delaney Halperin, 5, of Pittsgrove takes a ride on an inflatable waterslide during the Parvin State Park Christmas in July celebration. Photo/Jodi Streahle
Craig English, 6, of Pittsgrove soars down the steepest waterslide at the Christmas in July celebration at Parvin State Park on Saturday, July 23. Photo/Jodi Streahle
Scottie Swanson, 7, of Texas attended the Christmas in July celebration at Parvin State Park while visiting his grandparents who live in Pittsgrove. Photo/Jodi Streahle