April in Paris in Lafayette

Lafaytte — On Saturday, April 21, Olde Lafayette Village will seem a bit like Paris as the shopping mecca celebrates April in Paris from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The event will feature food, fun, fashion and festivities, organizers say, including a poodle parade, prizes for the most creative cut/color, cutest beg and there's even a prize for the best looking non-poodle breed dressed to look like a poodle. The celebration plays up the venue's focus as the premier and only “Dog Friendly Shopping Centre” in the Northeast. For the humans, there will be a selection of French fare, including crepes from EveryThing HomeMade, ice cream “ala mode” from Chocolate Parfait, French fries, French onion soup, pink poodle cookies, truffles and more from the village's other vendors. Visitors can also sample the wines of Cava Winery from Crystal Springs Resort, crafted cheeses and French breads. Mimes, musicians and artists will demonstrate their crafts and celebrate Parisian culture, which is Lafayette, New Jersey’s history. The Township of Lafayette was named in honor of the distinguished patriot, the Marquis de Lafayette, on the occasion of his triumphal return from France to America in 1824. Spring should be in full bloom and local garden centers will be offering spring flowers for sale at the event, too. Hot air balloon rides aer scheduled as the event's finale, weather permitting, between 5 and 7 p.m. for $15 per person. Rain date for April in Paris is Sunday, April 22, also from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Vendors may still sign up. Some booths are still available for artists, food vendors, face painters, mimes, balloon artists, musicians, at $50 per booth. Contact Colleen Brennan at 973-714-8630 or Colleeninthecountry@hotmail.com for information.