Town Feature: Hammonton

Small Town Feel, Big City Appeal

BY LINDSEY GETZ

Located between Philadelphia and Atlantic City, Hammonton is known as the “Blueberry Capital of the World.” While there’s no doubt the sandy soil is optimal for blueberry growth, this charming town wants people to know there’s so much more to it than fruit.

For such a small town, there’s a tremendous amount to do. This includes an abundance of wineries, breweries, and distilleries, a variety of festivals, arts programming that easily rivals a big city, and so much more.

The city has dubbed the phrase, small town feel, big city appeal, to summarize all that it has to offer.

Jim Donio, Hammonton’s “town advocate,” a title given to him by the mayor, has been directly involved in the town’s continued growth, including its embracing of the arts. He said a day trip to Hammonton could be easily jampacked with activities.

Photo from Blue Rascal Distillery

For those seeking fresh air, there’s plenty to do outdoors. Donio said being ringed by Wharton State Forest has prevented this area from being overrun by the sprawl that exists all around them. In that way, it’s almost like an island—and it makes for a great escape.

There is mountain biking, fishing, and hiking,” Donio said. “We have seen a lot of growth as people have come to appreciate being outside and enjoying nature.

There’s truly something for everyone with seven wineries, three breweries, a wine bar, and a distillery, visitors have plenty of options. Blue Rascal Distillery has even found a way to incorporate the town’s blueberry history with blueberry-infused liqueur and custom cocktails.

As far as food goes, the options are equally as varied. Donio said Penza’s Pies is the perfect place to pick up both sweet and savory pies. Joe Italiano’s Maplewood is known for being the town’s long-standing Italian restaurant and Donio said the area is also fortunate to have a couple of different

Italian markets with specialty meats and cheeses for sale. A new bakery, BreadHeads Bakery and Café, also features made-from-scratch baked goods.

Photo from BreadHeads Bakery

DiDonato Family Fun Center is also an attraction to the area for its incredible food, boozy shakes, ice cream, and bowling,” said Donio. “Their Magical Holiday Express is one of the biggest draws at the holidays.

While the DiDonato “Rolling Railway” also has Easter and Halloween rides, their ride through millions of Christmas lights—plus a meet and greet with Santa and his elves—regularly brings in a tremendous number of visitors and frequently sells out.

The burgeoning arts programming is also a draw. Hammonton has fully embraced the arts in a way that allows people to have experiences they otherwise only could in a large city according to Donio.

We have the only year-round professional equity theatre company in South Jersey, so we are able to bring in some of the same levels of actors that you would see in a big city production,” said Donio.

Festivals also draw many new visitors to the area and according to Donio, they have leaned in on the idea of being known for these events. From the annual Red, White & Blueberry Festival to having the country’s longest-running Italian Festival, said Donio Hammonton has become known for having a “series of festival, events, parades, and activities.”

As Hammonton continues to see an increasing number of visitors, said Donio the need for overnight accommodations is growing. A recently transformed Catholic cathedral has become an event space known as the Kathedral, and features some accommodations in the former rectory, now known as The Martinn. There are currently five suites available with seven more on the way.

“We are also working on a boutique hotel and will be working collaboratively on bringing a nationally branded hotel to the town as well,” said Donio. “We are actively seeking partners to help make that happen. As more people are moving out of the city or at least looking for a getaway, Hammonton only continues to grow.”