RBR Hopes Festival Helps Light Up the School

"Let There Be Light" campaign will get a big boost this weekend as the effort will receive a donation from on Sunday.

The Bucaneer Athletic Foundation (BAF), the group spearheading the effort to bring lights to the school's outdoor fields, was chosen as the recipient of the charitable donation for this family-friendly event on May 6 from noon to 7 p.m.

Over 25 local restaurants will participate in the festival set up in the White Street parking lot and feature international food, beer, wine and music.

Mom and BAF member Cathy Reardon said that they had about 90 people volunteer to work at the festival, including student athletes representing many of the school's sports teams.

The foundation is trying to raise about $400,000 to light up Red Bank Regional's athletic stadium and has raised $30,000 to date, said Reardon, who added that the school is one of the only in the Shore Conference without lighting for night time games.

She said that not only would many of the school's sports teams, cheerleaders and band members benefit from the lighting, community events like Relay for Life would stand to gain from their efforts.

Outdoor lighting would also allow the school to rent out the stadium space in the summer to sports camps and generate revenue

Reardon likes that night games help create a "sense of community" as many families come out to cheer for the Bucs.

"It builds a sense of spirit," she said.