South River tradition marked 25th anniversary

October 2004 was the 25th anniversary of the Frost on the Pumpkin Race held in South River. The race was run on Oct. 31.

Twenty-five years ago, two 18-year-old graduates of South River High School, Dr. Kathi Hoffman Knight and Jim Balogh, created this event from start to finish. They made all the arrangements, got the sponsor and arranged the race’s pathway through town.

Dr. Knight was in her freshman year of college and was working for Red Lobster, East Brunswick. Red Lobster agreed to fund the entire race with advertisements, banners, souvenir mugs and a Budweiser Beer truck greeting the finishing runners near the football field at South River High School.

All proceeds were given to South River Elks Lodge No. 2033 Crippled Children’s Fund. I have pictures of that presentation.

It is so heartwarming to see that this tradition is still being carried on.

Elaine Hoffman

Melbourne Beach, Fla.