Unseasonably warm fall weather and picture-perfect, clear-blue skies drew more than 20,000 area residents to the 11th annual Haverford Township Day on Saturday, Oct. 1.

The day began at 8:30 with a 5k run that started at the middle school, followed by a parade that began at the Manoa shopping center. Soon after, the crowds flocked over toward the main part of the event.

By early afternoon, the near half-mile stretch from Mill to Manoa roads on Darby Road was packed with throngs of people, ambling between the more than 150 merchant booths - featuring everything from gourmet dog food to barbequed ribs - and a countless array of live attractions.

While many of the activities geared toward children, including face-painting, magic tricks and pony rides, were spread throughout the event, the majority were hosted on Brookline Boulevard.

Among those waiting in line for the mini-carousel there was Pat Vaughn, of Ardmore, and her two children Thomas and William, each 3 years old. Vaughn explains that despite all three of them being afflicted with minor colds, they decided to turn out anyway, because of how much they've enjoyed the day for the past two years.

"Well we actually headed over behind the [Skatium] first, because that's where the rides were last year," she explains, "until we realized they were over here, but at least the line's moving pretty fast."

Across Darby Road was one of the several live bands playing - The Road Kings - who like the other performers have a donation jar set up in front of the stage for the Haverford Cares initiative.

The project is a community-wide drive with the goal of raising $100,000 to relocate or adopt families devastated by Hurricane Katrina, providing them with necessities such as food, clothing, medical care travel and educational expenses.

"The Haverford Cares project is a big priority for the day, it's a way to show our support as a community," said Lt. Charles Moore of the Haverford police department.

Moore adds that Township Day is meant to be an overall fun experience, which also serves to highlight year-round activities available throughout Haverford, such as the library, the Rotary Club and a bevy of nonprofit organizations.

Sitting on a curb slightly removed from the mass of people was Havertown resident Missy Hooper, her daughter Meressa and Meressa's friend David Wagner, both enjoying fresh water ice purchased from a nearby booth. The group was waiting for a friend from whom they got separated earlier, and were planning on heading over to the pony rides by the Skatium, where they will be greeted by the likes of Spongebob Squarepants, Dora the Explorer and Tigger the tiger, all making the rounds, greeting children and posing for pictures.

Among the items she offers are vanilla-frosted "ice-cream" cones, beef and garlic bones and soft pretzels, all tailor-made for man's best friend. Newman adds that a portion of all her proceeds go toward the Humane Society and the Animal Coalition of Delaware.

Shelia George, a local resident who has been attending the event since its inception, once as a booth merchant selling arts and crafts, attended this year with a group of friends and her young daughter Colleen.

"We've been here since 11, the whole day has been just great. We got some food, I took Colleen on the rides - she really enjoyed the carousel - we're just really enjoying ourselves, especially with this great weather," George says.

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