Weekend Happenings: Chowderfest, Alanis Morissette, HERO Walk & More

Please consider joining Lite Rock 96.9 WFPG and making the "HERO Walk" this Sunday on the Ocean City Boardwalk a part of your weekend.

Here is a little background on the walk from Bill Elliot, the founder of the HERO Campaign.

"The John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers will hold its 4th Annual HERO Walk on the Ocean City Boardwalk this Sunday.

We had more than 2,000 walkers participate last year, when we had great weather. The forecast for this weekend’s walk says we can again expect sunny pleasant weather.

You may ask what is the purpose of the HERO Walk. Here it is:

Fourteen years ago our son, Navy Ens. John R. Elliott, was killed by a drunk driver while driving from Annapolis, Md., to our home in Egg Harbor Township to celebrate his mother's – Muriel – birthday.

The driver had been arrested by the State Police just a couple hours earlier and had been charged with DUI. The State Police followed procedure and released the driver to a friend, who took the driver back to his car. The driver got back into his car and drove down the road until he caused the head-on collision with our son’s car. Both John and the driver were killed.

Shortly afterward, my wife Muriel and I created the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers. The message of the HERO Campaign is that using safe and sober designated drivers can prevent drunk driving tragedies.

The numbers indicate that the HERO Campaign has at least contributed to a decline in drunk-driving fatalities. In the 10-year period of 2002-2012 – the latest figures available – alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in New Jersey declined 18 percent.

The HERO Campaign, which is now headquartered at The Richard Stockton College in Galloway Township, is now active in seven states and has an association with major league sports teams such as the Philadelphia Phillies, the New York Giants and the New England Patriots.

The Hero Walk on Sunday is one way we spread the HERO Campaign’s message: That safe and sober designated drivers can prevent drunk-driving tragedies.

It’s a grand time for all: There will be many fun activities at the event, including face painting, a selfie picture booth and HERO temp tattoos. And it looks like Mother Nature plans to bless us again with fine weather.

Registration for the HERO Walk begins at 9 a.m. at the Ocean City Sports and Civic Center, 6th Street and the Boardwalk; the Walk itself begins at 11 a.m. You can also pre-register online at THEHEROWALK.ORG, or call (609) 626-3880.

By joining in the HERO Walk, you are participating in our campaign to prevent drunk-driving tragedies, and will have a good time doing so. What better way to spend a couple hours on a fall Sunday afternoon?"

Here's the rest of of the South Jersey Weekend happenings...

ATLANTIC CITY....

- Caesars: Alanis Morrissette, Fri. 10/3

- Borgata: Lite Rock welcomes Foreigner, with help from our South Jersey High School Choir contest winner Mainland Regional, Fri-Sat. 10/3-10/4 (recording a live album) , Music Box

- Borgata: Brian Regan, Sat. 10/4,

- Golden Nugget: NBC's Last Comic Standing Live Tour, Sat. 10/4

- Bally's: Top Rank Boxing, Sat. 10/4

- Resorts: Little Anthony and the Imperials, Sat. 0/4

- Tropicana: International Music Festival, sat.10/4

OTHER FUN STUFF TO DO THIS WEEKEND...

- Somers Point: Join Lite Rock 96.9 WFPG live from 4p-7p at Sandi Pointe Coastal Bistro for "Pink Fridays" in support of Beast Cancer Awareness Month

- Beach Haven, LBI : Chowderfest Cook Off Classic, Sun.10/5 from 11a-5p

- Sea Isle City: Harborfest, Sat. 10/4 from 11a-4p

- Hammonton: The 2nd Annual Fall Festival, Mt. Carmel Fairgrounds, Sat-Sun. 10/4-5

- Egg Harbor Township: Terror in the Junkyard Haunted Hayride, Fri-Sun 10/3-5

- Cape May: Harvest Festival Crafts and Antiques Show, Sat. 10/4