On Sept. 15, local businesses, activist groups and volunteers came together for Newark Community Day. The annual event joined the people of Newark and showcased all the opportunities the city has to offer.
From assortments of jewelry, flowers and political causes, Newark Community Day had a variety of groups to explore. Upbeat music played on The Green as citizens and students made their way through the festivities.
One of many booths showcased was the Brandywine Valley SPCA. Hannah Hargraves, their community engagement coordinator, stood in front of their booth with two pit bulls who were currently up for adoption.
“We come here to spread the word about what we do at the shelter,” Hargraves said. “We have our friends out to try and find [them] a home, but I know they had a great day just being out and about.”
The shelter is no-kill, open admission with multiple locations throughout Delaware. Eventgoers stopped outside the booth to talk about SPCA’s message or just to pet the dogs.
“There are so many people here,” Hargraves said. “I know the dogs enjoyed the day the most, they made lots of friends and everyone was so respectful.”
Further down on The Green, 37-year-old Caitlin Custer-Hufe was selling and promoting her homemade candles.
“I own Wedgewood Wickery, a local candle business,” Custer-Hufe said. “I named it that because I live on Wedgewood Road, and I would make the candles at my dining room table.”
A variety of candle scents were on display at the booth, ranging from Spiced Pumpkin Chai to Woodland Sage and Evergreen Forest. It was her third time participating in Newark Community Day, and Custer-Hufe said she was pleased with the outcome.
“I love Newark Community Day,” Custer-Hufe said. “You get people who live in the town, students and everyone just mingling together, seeing what the town has to offer.”
The event was completely free and open to the public, introducing students and residents to things they may not have been previously exposed to. In addition, music groups, dance teams and speakers performed on the steps of Wolf Hall and Memorial Hall as people made their way through.
24-year-old Psalm Harvey and 25-year-old Logan Gonzales had a booth dedicated to promoting their new band called “What are the Odds.”
“This is our first year of blowing ourselves up as a band,” Gonzales said. “We have been inserting ourselves into a lot of competitions.”
The band has been together musically for around two years, with Harvey joining recently as their vocalist. She was excited to branch out and meet new people in Newark.
“When you perform, you get a very particular scene of people,” Harvey said. “It’s good to get a wider variety of people.”
Harvey just moved to Delaware and was interested in the opportunities it had to offer.
“It’s great to go out and meet new people and put yourself out there,” Harvey said. “It’s amazing to see all these artists, activists and a bunch of stuff we are passionate about.”
In addition to introducing the public to new businesses, art and culture, the event also highlighted groups who are making a difference.
Jessica Simms experienced her first Newark Community Day running the booth for Art Therapy Express, a business dedicated to helping individuals through the arts.
“We bring art to people who don’t have access,” Simms said. “We help a lot of people who have disabilities ranging from physical to emotional. Today we were putting the message out there, what we do and how we value that creativity.”
Art Therapy Express is a nonprofit organization that provides arts programming through the state of Delaware. They have since helped over 1,000 children and adults with mild to severe intellectual disabilities in a variety of locations. They have visited schools, residential facilities and group homes.
“Art and expression are foundational for healing and bringing people together,” Simms said. “It’s been really nice to have people stop by and be interested in art therapy. It brings in discussions.”
For university students, the event took place right outside their doorstep.
“It’s really cool to see everyone out here,” sophomore engineering major Alyssa Blake said. “We saw a lot of people we know here and learned we have similar interests.”
Newark Community Day is about bringing people together through common passions and interests. Gage Walker, a sophomore chemistry major, was pleased with the event’s outcome.
“There’s a lot of stuff happening in Newark that you don’t necessarily know about and it’s nice to see that there are so many things that you can do,” Walker said. “There’s a big community out here. If there’s something you are interested in, you can find a group.”