Somerset County Public Information Office, Annual Events

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ANNUAL EVENTS

SOMERSET COUNTY PARK COMMISSION
SOMERVILLE DOWNTOWN | SOMERSET COUNTY/BRIDGEWATER LIBRARY
RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE | OTHER EVENTS BY MONTH

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SOMERSET COUNTY PARK COMMISSION - 908-722-1200
TDD 908-526-4762

Web Site http://www.somersetcountyparks.org/

February, month of.: Maple Sugaring, Environmental Education Center, Lord Stirling Rd., Basking Ridge. 908-766-2489
April & May, Sunday.: Woodland Walks. Leonard J. Buck Garden, Far Hills. Walk through. Fee. 908-234-2677
April, third weekend.: Spring Plant Sale & Earth Day Celebration. Leonard J. Buck Garden, Far Hills. Guided tours of the garden, lectures and plant sale. 908-234-2677
May, first weekend.: Annual Family Fun Day. Lord Stirling Stable, Basking Ridge. Games on horseback, demonstrations, exhibits, free pony hay rides. 908-766-5955
May, first weekend.: Wildlife Art & Carving Exhibition, Environmental Education Center, Lord Stirling Rd., Basking Ridge. 908-766-2489
June, second Saturday.: Rose Day, Rudolph W. van der Goot Rose Garden, Colonial Park, Mettlers Rd., Franklin Twp. Call to confirm date and times. 732-873-2459
July 4th.: Family Fun Festival, North Branch Park, Milltown Rd., Bridgewater. 4-11 p.m. Pony rides, musical entertainment, fireworks display, more music. 908-722-1200 x225
July and August.: Somerset County Park Commission Music Concert Series, every Sunday throughout the summer. 7 p.m. Duke Island Park, Old York Rd., Bridgewater. 908-722-1200 x351
August, mid.: Somerset County 4-H Fair. Three days. 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Fairgrounds at North Branch Park, Milltown Rd., Bridgewater.
908-526-6644
www.4histops.org
October, first Sunday.: 1770s Festival, Environmental Education Center, Lord Stirling Rd., Basking Ridge. American Revolution era celebrated. 908-766-2489
November, mid to late.: Turkey Trot. Colonial Park, Mettlers Rd., Franklin. Open to runners and non- runners. 5K race and 1-mile fun run. 908-722-1200 x226
December, first weekend.: Holiday Festival. Lord Stirling Stable, Basking Ridge. Hay rides to see Santa Claus, pony rides, ornament decorating & other activities. 908-766-5955
December, early to mid.: Festival of Trees, Environmental Education Center, Lord Stirling Rd., Basking Ridge. 908-766-2489

SOMERVILLE DOWNTOWN

January - March (also December).: Winter Candlelight Tours, Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage, 71 Somerset St. Wed., Thurs. & Fri. evenings. Min. group of 10 people. Fee charged. 908-725-1015 / Wallace House
March, the Sunday before.: St. Patrick's Day Parade. Starts at 1 p.m., Main Street and proceeds west. 908-725-4190 / William Cooper
May thru August.: Connie Tarantino Summer Concert Series. Fridays, 7 p.m. Somerville Borough Hall lawn. 908-541-1600 / Somerville District Management Corp.
May, Memorial Day.: Kugler-Anderson Memorial Tour of Somerville. “The Kentucky Derby of Cycling. 908-725-7223 / Middle Earth
www.middleearthnj.org
Memorial Day thru September.: Cruzin' Friday Nights. Vintage cars and music. 5 p.m. until dark. 908-526-3499 / Somerville Business & Professional Assn.
October, first Sunday.: Somerville Street Fair, held throughout downtown Somerville. 908-526-3499 / Somerville Business & Professional Assn.
September - October - November.: 18th century music. Old Dutch Parsonage, 71 Somerset St. Concerts given by candlelight. 908-725-1015 / Wallace House
October, first Sunday.: Somerville Fall Festival. Street Fair held throughout downtown Somerville. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 908-526-3499 / Somerville Business & Professional Assn.
October, first Sunday.: Guided tours of the J. Harper Smith Estate, 228 Altamont Pl. Horse-drawn carriage rides also available for separate fee. 12 - 5 p.m. 908-725-0335 / Proceeds benefit Somerville PBA Local #147
December, early.: Peter Mayer "Stars & Promises Holiday Concert". United Reformed Church, 100 W. Main St., Somerville. Proceeds benefit local charities. 908-725-7223 / Middle Earth www.middleearthnj.org
December, first & second weekends: Annual "Holiday Diversion" at the Wallace House, 71 Somerset St. A tribute to 18th-century Christmas. Dancing, music, costumed tour guides, food. Donation requested. 908-725-1015 / Wallace House
December - March.: Winter Candlelight Tours, Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage, 71 Somerset St. Wed., Thurs. & Fri. evenings. Min. group of 10 people. Fee charged. 908- 725-1015 / Wallace House

SOMERSET COUNTY/BRIDGEWATER LIBRARY

N. Bridge St.& Vogt Dr., Bridgewater.
Phone 908-526-4016 ext. 119

Web Site http://www.somerset.lib.nj.us

For upcoming events, please visit the Library's Web site
or call the telephone number shown above.

RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

US Hwy. 28 & Lamington Road, North Branch.
Phone (908) 526-1200
Web Site http://www.raritanval.edu

For upcoming events, please visit the College's Web site
or call the main telephone number shown above.

OTHER EVENTS BY MONTH

February, last Saturday.: Somerset County 4-H Association Doll Show. 4-H Center, 310 Milltown Rd., Bridgewater. 908-526-6644
http://somerset.rcre.rutgers.edu
March, month of.: Big Apple Circus. Commerce Bank Ballpark, East Main St., Bridgewater. Sponsor: Somerset Hills YMCA. 908-766-9444
March, First Saturday: "Cast" of Beatlemania Concert Fundraiser, Nicholas Music Center, 85 George St., New Brunswick, 8 p.m. The Magic of the Beatles is recreated live on stage with songs that made the world take notice. Benefits Family & Community Services (FCS) of Somerset County.
Tickets & information: 732-356-1082
March, third week.: Somerset County Teen Arts Festival. Showcase for local students in fine and performing arts. Sponsor: Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission. 908-231-7110
March or April.: Easter Egg Hunt, Frelinghuysen Park, Sherman Avenue, Raritan. Held the week before Palm Saturday. Rain date is Palm Saturday. 908-725-9411
April.: Bunny Hunt. Indoor Display Gardens, Duke Farms, Rt. 206, Hillsborough. Weekends in April at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Children will receive a worksheet to help them spot the clever topiary bunnies hidden throughout the gardens. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Advance reservations required.
908-722-3700
www.dukefarms.org
April.: Tour de Franklin bicycle race to benefit the Franklin Twp. Food Bank. Six events, from 1 mile to 62 miles. Registration fees vary by event. Riders are encouraged to collect a minimum of $100 in pledges. Online registration and pledge forms can be printed or downloaded from the Food Bank Web site. 732-828-2881 or 732-246-0009
www.franklinfoodbank.org
April, first weekend.: Sciencesational Day. Kids in grades 1-6. Somerset County 4-H Center, 310 Milltown Rd., Bridgewater. 908-526-6644
http://somerset.rcre.rutgers.edu
April, third weekend.: A Crossroads Celebration: Annual Battle of Bound Brook Weekend. Living history re-enactment of the Battle of Bound Brook. Revolutionary War history, 18th-century encampment, colonial crafters, cannon fire, children's activities, historic house tours, food and more. Various locations in South Bound Brook, Bound Brook and Franklin. 732-469-5836 (evenings)
www.battleofboundbrook.com
www.staatshouse.com
April, late.: MS Walk. Starts at Adamsville Elementary School, Union Ave./Rt. 28, Bridgewater. Registration 9 a.m., walk starts 10 a.m. An exciting four-mile walk through beautiful Bridgewater and Somerville. Travel along lovely neighborhoods back to the Adamsville Elementary School for lunch. Proceeds benefit those living with multiple sclerosis and their families in Somerset County and throughout central New Jersey. 732-660-1005 (Gina Murdoch)
www.nationalmssociety.org/njm
May.: Bernards Twp. Charter Day/Basking Ridge Street Fair. Oak St. Field. Games, crafters, music, food. Sponsor: Basking Ridge Merchants Assn. 908-766-2900
May.: Memorial Day Parade. Bound Brook. 732-356-0833, ext. 626
May, Memorial Day Weekend (Sat. & Sun.): Garden State Wine Growers Association's annual Blues & Wine Festival. Natirar Park, Peapack. Award-winning wines, live blues, artisan vendors, gourmet food and activities for kids. Noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the gate. 609-588-0085
May.: International Festival. Somerset Hills YMCA, 140 Mt. Airy Rd., Basking Ridge.
"One World, One Family", a celebration of cultures featuring food samples, dance, music and art from around the world. Suggested donation: $10 per family, $5 per individual. 908-766-7898, ext. 1554.
May, first week.: Basket Day Sale and Community Concert. Lamington Presbyterian Church, 355 Lamington Rd., Bedminster. Tuesday night shopping reception with live music. Wednesday, 10am-3pm. The event includes fine art, vendor boutiques, antiques, fresh-baked goods, potted plants, rummage and frozen meals to go. Luncheon can be purchased for a small fee.
General Information: 908-572-7013
www.lamchurch.com
May, first weekend.: Rummage Sale. Far Hills Fairgrounds, Route 202. Sponsor: Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills. 908-781-6445
www.visitingnurse.org
May, first Monday, through end of September.: Monday Nite Cruisin', Main Street, Bound Brook. Classic cars, trucks and motorcycles on display. Oldies music, free refreshments, prizes. Sponsor: Downtown Merchants Association. 732-271-0880 / Phyllis Pournaras
May, last Saturday, through end of June (weekends).: New Jersey Renaissance Festival & Kingdom. Medieval jousting, juggling, jesters, minstrels and more. Artisans, merchants and dining. Location varies; call for details. Privately operated. 732-271-1119
www.njkingdom.com
June, first week.: Scottish Games. Bonnie Brae School, Millington. Scottish games, competitions & family fun. 908-647-4700
June through August, Wednesdays.: Free concerts for children in conjunction with Raritan Cruise Nights. Third Reformed Church, 10 W. Somerset St., Raritan. Shows start 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted, rain or shine. 908-722-1287
June, second Saturday.: North Plainfield Street Fair. Crafts, arts, ethnic foods & entertainment. 12-5 p.m. 908-756-2677
www.npstreetfair.org
June, mid or late.: Bayer/USET Festival of Champions. U.S. Equestrian Team Headquarters, Hamilton Farms, Pottersville Rd., Gladstone. Dressage, show jumping, driving, endurance & vaulting. 908-234-1251
www.uset.org
June, mid or late.: Carnival. Duke's Parkway Ball Field, Manville. Sponsor: Manville Business & Professional Association. 908-725-9478, ext. 103 / Borough Clerk
July 4th.: Fourth of July at Middlebrook. Mountain Ave. & Middlebrook Rd., Bridgewater. Held at the Middlebrook Encampment, site of two encampments of major portions of Washington's Continental Army, 1777 & Winter of 1778. Ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Changing of the 13-star flag and historical address. 732-563-0063 / John Haelig
July 4.: Central Jersey 4th of July Parade. North Plainfield. Parade, festivities, fireworks and concert. 908-769-2900 / Borough Clerk
July, mid.: Cat Expo & Show. Garden State Exhibit Center, Davidson Ave. & Atrium Dr., Somerset. Educational programs, Adopt-A-Thon, cat agility trials, kids’ corner, “Meow Mall.” Also, a 450-cat allbreed CFA Cat show featuring the top show cats in the country. Sponsor: Garden State Cat Club Inc. 908-276-9423 / Brenda Flahault, Co-Show Manager
www.gardenstatecatclub.org
July, fourth weekend.: Indian-American Festival. Hindu Temple, 780 Old Farm Rd., Bridgewater. 9 a.m. until closing. 908-725-4477 / Dr. Babineedu
July - October, first Saturday.: Farmers Market, Johns Plaza, Hamilton St., Somerset. Sponsor: Franklin Township. 732-873-2500, ext. 211
August, mid.: Somerset County 4-H Fair. Three days. 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Exhibits, animals, food. Free admission, parking & shuttle buses. Fairgrounds at North Branch Park, Milltown Rd., Bridgewater. 908-526-6644 / 4-H Association
www.4histops.org
September: Manville Street Fair. Main Street. Crafters, ethnic food & entertainment. 10 a.m. -4 p.m. 908-725-9478, ext. 103 / Borough Clerk
September.: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Walk. Colonial Park, Franklin Twp. 1 - 10 p.m.
908-654-9445 / The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
September Early.: Family Fun Day. Fellowship Village in Basking Ridge invites the public for a Saturday of games, music, exhibits, free refreshments and more. Fun for all ages! Admission is free.
908-580-3800
www.fellowshipvillage.org
September - May.: Safari Tour. Indoor Display Gardens, Duke Farms, Rt. 206, Hillsborough. September-May, last Saturday of each month at 1 p.m. Interactive tour for ages 6 to 10 invites children to become an animal or insect and play games that teach them about the plants and flowers. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Advance reservations required.
908-722-3700
www.dukefarms.org
Fall.: Heritage Trail Association Bus & Walking Tours. Tours of historic sites throughout Somerset County. 732-356-8856 / Heritage Trail Assn.
www.heritagetrail.org
September, Labor Day.: Tour of Basking Ridge. 5-, 20- & 40-mile and children's bicycle and sprint races. Barbecue at the end of the day. Free. 908-204-3049
September, first Saturday after Labor Day.: Somerset Hills YMCA BATS (Bicycle Around The Somerset Hills) tour. 10-, 20-, 30-, 50-, 62- and 100-mile routes for families and serious cyclists. 908-766-7898
www.somersethillsymca.org
September, second Saturday.: Canal Day at the Abraham Staats House. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The South Bound Brook Historic Preservation Advisory Commission and the Friends of the Abraham Staats House Inc. celebrate the history of the Delaware & Raritan Canal with displays, tours and historic figures. Abraham Staats House, 17 von Steuben Lane, South Bound Brook. 732-469-5836 (evenings)
www.staatshouse.com
September, mid. (Saturday; rain date Sunday): Branchburg Country Fair. White Oak Park. 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 908-526-1300
www.branchburgcountryfair.com
September, mid. (Saturday; rain date Sunday): Branchburg Woman's Club's Annual Food Drive for the Food Bank Network of Somerset County. Branchburg Country Fair, White Oak Park. 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Bring donations of canned food to the club's table under the big tent.
908-526-3094
Fair information: www.branchburgcountryfair.com
Club information: www.omnie.com/bwc/
September, third Sunday.: Peapack-Gladstone Art in the Park. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Liberty Pond, Main Street (town center). Artists exhibit their work in a serene outdoor park setting. Large variety of fine art and crafts as well as an introduction to talented student artists. Live entertainment, catered foods, children's art/play area. Sponsored by borough Recreation Commission. 908-901-9589
or nsamuelson@patmedia.net / Nancie Samuelson
September, Last Sunday.: John Basilone Parade, Raritan. 908-429-8868 / John Pacifico www.basiloneparade.org
September.: Annual Craft Festival. Main Street, Bound Brook. Crafters, ethnic food & entertainment. 732-356-7273 / Chamber of Commerce
September.: BET/USET Show Jumping Talent Search-East. Hamilton Farms, Pottersville Rd., Gladstone. 908-234-1251
www.uset.org
September.: Drive Out Hunger Golf Tournament to benefit the Franklin Township Food Bank. Bunker Hill Golf Course, Bunker Hill Rd.,Franklin Park. Information & registration forms available on the Food Bank Web site. 732-457-4433 / Wayne Tillman
www.franklinfoodbank.org
October, all month.: Somerset County 4-H Association Wreath Sale. Delivery in December. 908-526-6644
October, first weekend.: Rummage Sale. Far Hills Fairgrounds, Route 202. Sponsor: Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills. 908-781-6445
www.visitingnurse.org
October, second weekend.: Weekend Journey Through the Past. Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 12 to 5 p.m. Free tours of historic sites throughout Somerset County (locations may vary each year). Sponsored by the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission.
908-231-7110
www.SCHistoryWeekend.com
October, mid.: Heritage Trail Storytelling Festival. Somerset County Vo-Tech School, Bridgewater. Part of nationwide "Tellabration" event. 732-356-8856 / Heritage Trail Assn.
www.heritagetrail.org
October, Saturday (mid or late).: Far Hills Race Meeting. Steeplechase horse race. Moorland Farm, Far Hills. Benefits Somerset Medical Center Foundation. 908-685-2929
October, late.: Annual Halloween Parade & Costume Contest. Municipal Parking Lot, Main St., Bound Brook. Money prizes, free refreshments, music. 732-217-0880 / Phyllis Pournaras
November, first Saturday.: Somerset Home Annual Run for Runaways. Duke Island Park, Bridgewater. Includes a 5K race, nature walk and kids' sprints. Benefits the Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children. 908-526-6605
www.somersethome.org
November, second Saturday.: Branchburg Woman's Club's Craft Show and Bake Sale. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Whiton Elementary School, 470 Whiton Rd., Branchburg. Refreshments. Benefits BWC's philanthropic fund for student awards and charitable donations.
908-526-1517
Club information: www.omnie.com/bwc
November, last week.: Midland Film Gala. Purnell School, Pottersville. 908-722-0366
December.: Gnome Hunt. Indoor Display Gardens, Duke Farms, Rt. 206, Hillsborough. Weekends in December at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Children read a rhyme to guide their search for gnomes as they explore the sights, scents and sounds of the garden displays. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Advance reservations required.
908-722-3700
www.dukefarms.org
December, early to mid.: Somerset Hills YMCA and Environmental Education Center's (EEC) Festival of Trees. Environmental Education Center, Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge. 908-630-3521 / YMCA www.somersethillsymca.org
908-766-2489 / EEC www.somersetcountyparks.org

Additional events are listed on www.VisitSomersetNJ.org

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