By Rod Hirsch
SBPA Executive Director

Main Street Somerville will be crowded with over 60,000 visitors on June 6 and a dozen or more robots that will compete in a soccer match and exhibition at the 24th annual Spring Spectacular! in downtown Somerville

Sponsored by the Somerville Business & Professional Association, the Spring Spectacular! Is a kaleidoscope of crafts, music, art, amusement rides, games, contests, raffles, merchandise, food, beer gardens, a Shrimp Fest and new this year – robots built and manipulated by some of Somerset County’s brightest high school students.

From Borough Hall at the west end of town all the way down to the green surrounding the historical Somerset County Courthouse at the east end of town, Main Street Somerville will be transformed into a broad pedestrian boulevard.

From Doughty Street to Grove Street, the Spring Spectacular! is a shoppers’ paradise, with Main Street lined by vendors displaying paintings, pottery, photography, hand-made jewelry, furniture and many other unique gifts.

The Spring Spectacular! officially begins at 11 a.m. and continues through 5 p.m.

Vying for visitors’ attention will be the robots, the pride and joy of hundreds of New Jersey high school students who compete in regional, state, national and world competitions.

The Somerville High School Robotics team – The Gearheads – recently returned from a world competition in Atlanta, Ga., where members placed in the top 50 teams competing from around the world.

The Gearheads will host robotics teams from several other high schools in Somerset County at the Spring Spectacular!

“The SBPA is proud to once again sponsor the Spring Spectacular! and we are equally proud of all that Somerville has to offer,” said Rod Hirsch, executive director of the SBPA. “Because the event attracts people from throughout the state as well as New York and Pennsylvania, it’s a wonderful opportunity for residents, civic organizations and the business community to come together and promote the town, as well as enjoy the great buys, great food and great entertainment.

“This year, we are especially proud to provide a platform for the high school robotics clubs to dazzle visitors with the incredible capabilities of their high-tech, hand built robots,” he added.

The robots will pair off in five-minute soccer matches throughout the day; visitors will also get the opportunity to get their hands on the remote controls and put the robots through their paces.

Like a Jersey shore boardwalk or a carnival midway, Main Street will feature a variety of food; the aromas wafting down the street will help guide you to hot roast beef sandwiches, racks of ribs, sausage & pepper sandwiches, burgers and hot dogs, funnel cakes, popcorn, cotton candy, ice cream, pizza, canoles, shish-ka-bobs and other culinary delights!

Bob Petix of Scampi’s Restaurant will be hosting an outdoor Shrimp Fest and Beer Garden near the Main Stage, which will feature Jimmy and The Parrots, a Jimmy Buffet tribute band that has a large following in the tri-state area.

Also returning this year will be the popular outdoor Beer Garden hosted by Mannion’s Pub & Restaurant. 

The Spring Spectacular Main Stage will feature musical performances from the area’s most popular bands and a special KidZone will include several amusement rides, games and nonstop activities for the entire family. Kids, moms and dads can also take a Horse and carriage ride. 

Working in conjunction with “This Is It” Promotions, the SBPA has worked hard to make the Spring Spectacular a marquee event in central New Jersey, with lots of chatter on the Internet from visitors far and wide who are once again looking forward to browsing up and down Main Street with friends and family.

Local fire companies, veterans’ organizations, school clubs, civic and service groups will also be on hand to sell fund-raising merchandise and distribute information about their organizations.

Visit the SBPA website, www.somervillebiz.org or call the SBPA at (908) 526-3499 for further information.