By Liz Johnson

Hunterdon County has plenty of ways to while away your sunny summer days, from rural farm tours to indoor play parks. There are also a slew of activities to keep your calendar full and family busy! This Summer Fun Guide will help plan your perfect summer.

Summer Events

6th Annual Hunterdon County Community Day

(Photo from Facebook)

Where: Hunterdon County Fairgrounds, Route 179, Ringoes
When: Saturday, June 1 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Lots of fun events planned for the day including a reptile show, petting zoo, pony rides, tethered balloon rides, food vendors, games and more. Read more about the event here.

Beach Bar Patio Grand Opening

Where: Artie’s Bar and Grill, 1121 Route 12, Frenchtown
When: Saturday, June 1, 8 p.m.
Kick-off summer with Artie’s beach bar patio opening featuring the Nerds and more.

Canines on the Canal Dog Walk & 5k to benefit Lulu’s Rescue

(Photo from Facebook)

Where: Sunbeam-Lenape Park, Bridge Street, Frenchtown, NJ
When: Sunday , June 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Walk with your pooch through the historic Borough of Frenchtown or compete in a 5K run on the beautiful tow path along the Delaware River. There will be an after party in Sunbeam Park with live music from the Eastern Hellbenders, snacks and lots of fun socializing with pups. Rain date June 9th.

Hidden Garden Tour

Where: Kalmia Clubhouse, 39 York St., Lambertville, NJ
When: Saturday, June 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Kalmia Club’s 23nd annual garden self-guided tour begins at the Kalmia Clubhouse, 39 York Street, Lambertville and allows visitors to view select residents’ gardens. This walking tour’s net proceeds further the Kalmia Club’s mission and assists with its community outreach and annual scholarship programs. Will be held, rain or shine.

Hobart Art Show 2019

(Photo from Facebook)

Where: 718 County Road 519, Frenchtown
When: Saturday and Sunday, June 8,9 and June 15, 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hunterdon and Bucks County artists come together to display art in the rural country setting of Paul Steinbeiser’s Farm outside of Frenchtown.

Clinton Town Picnic

Where: Hunts Mill Park, Haver Farm Road, Clinton
When: Saturday, June 8, 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Come on out for a great time with friends and neighbors at the Clinton Town Picnic! Bring food or purchase grilled food from the Clinton Fire Department. Enjoy music, bake-off contest, inflatables and kids activities.

Hunterdon Polo Classic

Where: Fieldview Farm, 342 Quakertown Road, Pittstown
When: Saturday, June 8 at noon
The Hunterdon Polo Classic continues the tradition of family friendly fun and raising funds and awareness for charities. This year’s event benefits five local charities including the Hunterdon Art Museum, Prevention Resources, Inc, Riding With HEART, Team Velvet, The Takaezu Studio project and Valley Crest Farm and Preserve. For tickets, go to eventbrite.com.

Flag Day Parade

Where: Main Street, Clinton
When: Friday, June 14 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Put on some red, white and blue and join the festivities.

Clinton Elks Music Festival

Where: Clinton Elks Lodge 2434, 211 Sidney Road, Pittstown
When: Saturday and Sunday, June 15 and 16, starting at 2 p.m.
The Clinton Elks Lodge 2434 will be holding their 17th Annual two day Music Festival to raise money for special needs children and Elks Camp Moore “Miracle on the Mountain,” a camp paid for by the NJ Elks Lodges. Tickets are $10 per day (children under 12 are free), food and beverages available for purchase. Click here for complete schedule.

Saturday Line-Up:

2-3 p.m. We May Be Right/Billy Joel Tribute
3-4 p.m. Craig Sailer Project
4-5 p.m. Venture to Zen
5-6 p.m. Flashlight Annie
6-7 p.m. Jam-Bone with Caren Kennedy
7-8 p.m. The Honey Badgers
8-10 p.m. 90 Proof

Sunday Line-Up:

2-3 p.m. Kelly, Ellis & Flynn
3-4:30 p.m. Chrome City
4:30-6 p.m. The Black Cross Band
6-7 p.m. Mother Natures Child
7-8 p.m. Full House

Farmstead Cookout

(Photo from Facebook)

Where: Stangl Road and Route 12, Flemington
When: Saturday, July 6 starting at 11:30 a.m.
Catch the train at Flemington, then hop off at the Farmstead of Ringoes for a picnic meal. After your meal, play some lawn games, then get back on the train whenever you’re ready. You can even ride the train all day if you wish, no extra charge. Meal includes two hot dogs or one hamburger or cheeseburger, corn, baked beans, chips and a selection of soft drinks and water.

Bastille Day

Where: Bridge Street, Frenchtown
When: Saturday, July 13 from noon to 7 p.m.
The French National Day is the anniversary of Storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, a turning point of the French Revolution. Celebrations are held throughout Frenchtown, in France’s honor.

Holistic Health Fair

Where: Beaver Brook Country Club, 25 Country Club Dr., Annandale
When: Sunday, July 14 at 10 a.m.
Fair showcases healing methodology, services, practitioners, and products to the general public. There will be readers, practitioners of various modalities, and health-related, spiritual, metaphysical and healing vendors. Tickets are $7 in advance, under 15 years old free.

Salsa Night 2019

Where: 4 Stangl Road, Flemington
When: Saturday, July 20, 4 p.m.-10 p.m.
Free outdoor festival featuring live Salsa bands, dancing, food trucks, beer and wine, restaurants, vendors and entertainment

Revolutionary Pub Crawl

(Photo from Facebook)

Where: Lambertville Station Parking Lot, Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ
When: Saturday July 20, 12:30 p.m.
Meet, eat and drink with re-enactors who have made it their passion to become informed about the American Revolution and its rich history right here in The Delaware River Towns. The Revolutionary Pub Crawl is approximately 1 mile covering five pubs, beginning in Lambertville. Crawlers will be led into New Hope by a fife and drum corps. Costumes are strongly encouraged. Tickets available on eventbrite.com.

QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning

(Photo from Facebook)

Where: Solberg Airport, 39 Thor-Solberg Road, Readington
When: July 26-28
Held annually at Solberg Airport in Readington, New Jersey’s largest balloon festival offers twice daily mass ascensions of up to 100 special shape and sport hot air balloons, headlining concerts, hundreds of crafters and vendors, great food, fireworks, a balloon glow, and more. This year’s event includes performances by Abba and the Beach Boys. Visit www.balloonfestival.com for more info.

Flemington Corn, Tomato and Beer Festival

Where: 4 Stangl Road, Flemington
When: Saturday, Aug. 10 noon-8 p.m.
For foodie and beer-lovers, this family-friendly event will feature an expansive micro-brewery beer garden, live music, great food from local restaurants, and family entertainment. Rain date Aug. 11.

Ongoing Events

43rd Music Under The Stars Free Concert Series

Deer Path Park, 120 West Woodschurch Road, Flemington
When: Thursdays, June 27 to Aug. 15, 7-9 p.m.
Free, open air concerts. Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy the beautiful vistas.

First Friday Fireworks

Where: Lambertville-New Hope Bridge, Bridge Street, Lambertville
When: First Fridays, June 1-Aug.2 at 9 p.m.
The Delaware River Towns Chamber will continue hosting First Friday events with fireworks over the Delaware River between New Hope and Lambertville. The Friday night shows have become synonymous with summer.
Mark your calendars for the 2019 displays: Friday, June 1; Friday, July 5; and Friday, August 2

Flemington Car Shows

(Photo from Facebook)

Where: Stangl Road, Flemington
When: Every other Saturday, May 25-August 31 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
The Flemington Car Shows run every other Saturday all summer, featuring hundreds of classic cars and live performances by local musicians, complimented by a DJ spinning classic tunes. Trophy awarded for best car and door prizes raffled to everyone.

Clinton Come Together Friday Night Music

(Photo from Facebook)

Where: Main Street, Clinton
When: Fridays, May 24-Sept. 6 from 7-9 p.m.
Enjoy music in downtown Clinton while you shop, dine and have an overall great time.

2019 Hunterdon County Running Schedule

June 2, Girls on the Run, Flemington, NJ
June 10, Beautiful Beast of Hunterdon 15k, Califon, NJ
July 4, Revolutionary Run 5k, Washington Crossing Park, PA
July 28, Running with the Balloons 5k, Readington, NJ
August 5, River to Sea Relay 72 Mile Relay, Lambertville, NJ
August 10, Three Bridges Five Mile Road Race, Three Bridges, NJ
September 10, Skylands Triathlon, Olympic Sprint Triathlon, Clinton, NJ

Hunterdon Happening List Favorites

If you’re looking for a day out or summer necessities, here are a list of favorite summer supplies and activities from our Hunterdon Happening List Voters:

Have a Happy, Healthy Summer with Basil Bandwagon

(Photos by Michelle Reese)

The Lambertville Station Restaurant & Inn is a repeat Winner and Finalist on the 2019 Happening List, earning the top spot for Late Night Drinking and Appetizer and Finalist for Outdoor Dining, Brunch, Wine List and Beer Bar. Enjoy lunch by the canal, their award-winning Sunday brunch or wine cellar with over 50 boutique wines.

Tasty Tours

Take a curated tour through Lambertville and New Hope via Sister Cities Tours, voted 2019 Everything Hunterdon Foodie Event winner. Visit www.sistercitiestour.com for a list of ongoing tours or schedule a private one.

Stroll Downtown Clinton

Home to the Red Mill, Clinton was voted 2019 Everything Hunterdon Downtown/Main Street. There are plenty of shops and restaurants to peruse, as well as touring the Hunterdon Art Museum.

Visit the Haring Family Farm

Voted 2019 Everything Hunterdon Best Farm, the third-generation family farm was among the first to be preserved by the state of New Jersey. Today it offers home grown chickens, pork and cattle as well as a Community Sustainable Agriculture subscription service. It’s located on Route 519 just outside Frenchtown.

Ride the Rails

Sit back and relax on the Black River and Western Railroad’s summer excursion trains that ride between Flemington and Ringoes, voted Hunterdon Happening List 2019 Best Amusement. For a schedule of rides, visit www.blackriverrailroad.com.

Go Grape

Spend the day at Beneduce Vineyards in Pittstown near Alexandria Field Airport. Voted Hunterdon Happening List 2019 Best Place for a Group Outing, the vineyard offers live music on a beautiful stone patio surrounding a bonfire or in our unique, heated Tropical Oasis in the winter. Visit beneducevineyards.com for more information.

Fore!

Try out a fun game of 18-hole miniature golf at Pine Creek Golf Club on Route 31 in East Amwell. Voted Hunterdon Happening List 2019 Best Outdoor Recreation venue, the club offers two challenging courses that take an hour or more to play.

Channel Your Inner Ninja

Whether you’re looking for a fun indoor play-date for your kids or you want to challenge your own inner Ninja, check out Hunterdon Happening List 2019 Children’s Play Center Winner The Edge Sports Center in Flemington. The indoor gym has obstacle courses geared to all ages and skills. Visit theedgesportscenter.net for details.