George Farrell 5K Leads off West Deptford Fun Day

The 12th annual George Farrell 5K kicks off West Deptford Fun Day next weekend, part of a jam-packed Saturday at .

The race, which goes toward funding the township's Police Athletic League, was named in honor of Farrell, a 22-year veteran of the West Deptford police force who died suddenly in 2001.

Farrell, who was a detective sergeant, helped bring the DARE program to New Jersey, and was one of the state's first DARE officers. He was an Army veteran, and began his career on the Paulsboro squad before coming to West Deptford in 1979.

Race-day registration begins at 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 8 at RiverWinds, with the race and a fun walk both set to go off at 8:30 a.m.

Registration is $20 on race day or $15 in advance, with a race form postmarked by Sept. 1. The registration fee includes a custom T-shirt for the first 100 registrants.

After the race, the annual fun day will feature games, crafters, vendors and entertainment throughout the day, starting at 10 a.m. Kids can take a pony ride or the petting zoo, and a car show featuring custom and modified cars will fill the parking lots.

The day closes out with a performance by the band Big City and a fireworks show at the amphitheater.