Gorgeous foliage, spooktacular Halloween adventures, delicious fresh food, and so much more bring Hunterdon County to life in the fall. With so much to do, bookmark this handy fall guide to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the fun!
Your 2016 Hunterdon Happening Fall Guide is presented by River Valley, the Real Estate Firm for the Delaware River Valley…Hunterdon, Bucks and Mercer Counties. In an increasingly globalized world full of mergers, chains and international brands, there is heightened value in finding the service that is still local in approach, knowledge, and experience. River Valley is one company that offers just this type of service. A full service, independently owned real estate firm, River Valley has offices in Lambertville, NJ and Yardley, PA. We believe in building community relationships, exemplary customer service and old fashioned hard work. Representing buyers and sellers in the Delaware River Towns of Lambertville, Stockton, Frenchtown, New Hope, Yardley, Washington Crossing and the surrounding farm, equine and residential communities of Hunterdon and Mercer counties in NJ and Bucks County, PA.
If you are interested in selling your home, we welcome the opportunity to discuss the sales process, and the marketing programs that River Valley can offer, and if you are interested in purchasing a home, we welcome the opportunity to work with you. Buyers will benefit from our extensive experience, comprehensive knowledge of the current local market, and our sharp negotiating skills. River Valley Realty, LLC, 45 North Main Street, Lambertville, NJ 609-397-3007, River Valley Properties, LLC, 76 South Main Street, Yardley, PA 215-321-3228 www.RiverValleyRealtyNJ.com.
Fall Fun
Labor Day Block Party
Where: Prallsville Mills 33 Risler Street Stockton, NJ, 08559
When: September 3rd 6pm – 9pm
Frenchtown Riverfest
Where: Downtown Frenchtown
When: Sunday, September 4th from noon until 6pm
Come celebrate the diverse range of avian wildlife in the Delaware Valley at this year’s Riverfest Celebration. This year’s theme is Wings Over the River with festivities including Bird Hatching, a bird parade and a screening of “Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill” will at the Art Yard. In addition to wing-themed fun, visitors can expect the return of popular traditions like the Paper Boat Riverfest Regatta, a wildlife show, live music, environmental exhibits, great food and family fun all around Frenchtown.
Flemington Opa! Festival
When: Friday: 9/9/16: 5-10pm; Saturday: 9/10/16: Noon-10pm; Sunday: 9/11/16: Noon-7 pm.
Where: St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church, Flemington.
This is west Central Jersey’s big cultural family event, featuring authentic Greek food, shopping, fun, and entertainment. Recently voted the “Best Foodie Event” in Hunterdon on the Happening List, the festival promises to offer a great fun ‘foodie’ experience for the whole family. The festival features a restaurant, grill, cafe, and taverna, offering something for everyone. Guests can enjoy delicious Greek fare indoors or outside under the tent. The Greek Kitchen Restaurant offers signature oven baked items such as moussaka, pastitsio, and roasted lamb shank while the outdoor grill offers fresh souvlaki and gyros. For your drinking pleasure, the Taverna will feature Greek and domestic wine and beer, as well as soft drinks. Sweet tooths can be tempted at the Cafe which features a selection of traditional Greek pastries, including the very popular baklava as well as Greek and American coffee.In addition to the food, there will be amusement games for the family to enjoy, children’s activities, as well as Greek folk dancing entertainment and Greek Music. The International Marketplace will feature an array of merchants to satisfy a wide variety of shopping interests including jewelry, home decor, fine art, home improvement, toys, and Greek imports. Parking is free. In commemoration of 9/11 Patriot Day, a portion of admission donations will be given to the Flemington-Raritan First Aid and Rescue Squad and the St. Nicholas Shrine at Ground Zero. Suggested entrance donation is $2 for adults and children over 12.
22nd Annual Sheep & Fiber Festival
Where: Hunterdon County Fairgrounds in Lambertville
When: September 10th & 11th, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
What: This event is hosted by a fun, non-profit, educational organization promoting sheep and wool products in NJ!
Tewksbury Harvest Festival
Where: Christie Hoffman Park- 108 Fairmount Road West, Califon NJ 07830
When: Saturday, September 24th, Noon to 5:00 PM
What: The Tewksbury Harvest Festival is a wonderful longstanding event in an upscale county that usually draws upwards of 2,000 patrons. Patrons pay $20 per carload, which includes hot air balloon rides, pony rides, hayrides, petting zoo, live entertainment, children’s crafts, exhibitions, classic car show, free snacks and the handmade craft show.
Fall Nature Club for KIDS AGES 3 – 3RD GRADE (8 Tuesdays)
When: Starting Sep 13 @ 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Echo Hill Park 42 Lilac Dr Lebanon, NJ 08833
Our popular nature clubs will introduce your child to many exciting nature topics. Park Naturalist Laura Kroon Bush will guide the children during hikes as they discover the diverse field, forest, and pond habitats at Echo Hill. Other hands-on activities include science experiments, field games, and take-home craft projects. The children will be able to observe the subtle changes from week to week as we progress through the season. Through our explorations, children will also sharpen their attention to detail as we observe the colors, shapes, textures, and sounds of the natural world.Please be sure to dress your child for the outdoors so that the whole group will be able to enjoy our lessons fully. We strongly recommend old clothes and sneakers/boots that can get dirty. Nature Clubs meet rain or shine. In inclement weather, we shorten our outdoor adventures to spend more time indoors.Woodlands Wildlife Refuge
Annual Community Day Tickets
When: Sep 18 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Where: Woodlands Wildlife Refuge 676 County Road 513, Pittstown, NJ 08867
Tucked into a corner of Hunterdon County, Woodlands Wildlife Refuge has been caring for and releasing thousands of orphaned and injured native wild animals for the past 30 years. On Sunday, September 18th, from 1 pm – 5 pm, Woodlands will hold its annual Community Day, offering the public a rare opportunity to visit one of New Jersey’s foremost wildlife rehabilitation facilities. Due to the nature of its work, Woodlands is normally closed to the public except for patient admissions and scheduled education programs. Community Day is an interactive, fun and educational family day! The afternoon includes self-guided tours, and the Kid’s Den, an interactive area with wildlife focused activities and crafts. Wildlife experts will be on hand to discuss a variety of topics including your wild neighbors, solutions to wildlife concerns, black bears and the state’s threatened and endangered species. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet Woodlands’ resident Sulcata tortoise, Canadian lynx, gray squirrel, Eastern box turtle, and raccoon and discover how these non-releasable education animals benefit Woodlands. This year’s event features several exciting scheduled presentations to foster an appreciation and understanding of wildlife. Snakes-N-Scales will be presenting a Tropical Rainforest program which seeks to bring an understanding and even an affection for the animals of this magnificent habitat. The Tropical Rainforest Ecosystem is perhaps THE most interesting and diverse on Earth. These forests are filled with amazing animal species using adaptions to survive that are astonishing to learn about, yet humans are quickly, STILL, destroying them.
Milford Alive
When: September 24th 12pm to 8:3pm
Where: Milford, NJ
Free community celebration –street music, art, food, crafts, a wacky “bed race” and topping it off – fireworks! Come celebrate the history, culture and promise of this quaint Delaware River town in Milford, NJ.
Historic Walking Tour of Hope, NJ
When: Sep 24 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Arboretum 1020 New Jersey 31, Lebanon, NJ 08833
Fresh air, exercise and history of the sleepy burg of Hope, a Moravian Village founded in 1769. Beginnings…The New World…Hope Moravian Experience 1769-1808…A Thriving Community…Daily Life…Revolutionary War…The Decline of Moravian Hope… Post Moravian Era…Moravian Architecture. This tour will visit a grist mill, the Howell-Turner House, Tom’s Barn, many period houses, churches and graveyards, the bank, museum, stone bridge, and much more. The day will start with a short film at the Arboretum. Then we will drive to Hope, do a two hour walking tour (please dress for outdoor in-town walk), have lunch at the Inn at Millrace Pond Restaurant (lunch not included in the price), and have some free time to explore the museum, antique store and the quaint little town of Hope.
Hunterdon Art Museum Opening Reception for Exhibitions
When: September 25, 2016 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Where: Hunterdon Art Museum 7 Lower Center St Clinton, NJ 08809
The Hunterdon Art Museum has several new exhibitions starting this fall. The opening reception for these shows is Sunday Sept. 25 from 2 to 4 p.m., and will feature artist talks and refreshments. Everyone is welcome to attend. Opening exhibitions are:
- Heather Ujiie: Fairytales, Monsters and Hybrid Creatures
- Andrew Hayes: Paper and Steel
- Kreh Mellick: All the Woodsy Things
4th Annual New Jersey Pottery Festival
When: Oct 9 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Stangl Factory event space in Flemington, NJ.
Kissimmee River Pottery is proud to host the 4th Annual New Jersey Pottery Festival. This event takes place in front of the Stangl Factory event space in Flemington, NJ. Guests will be able to view hand-crafted pottery from some of the area’s finest potters and craftsmen.
Fall Food
Picnic at the Vineyard-BYOF Tickets
When: Sep 3 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Where: Villa Milagro Vineyards
Celebrate Labor Day weekend with a bit of tranquility and quiet and fabulous overlooking the vineyards. The grill will be up and ready to go. Bring your own picnic and blanket. Sit on the porch on under a tree, soak up the sun and drink in the views. $5 wine tasting & gift wine glass.
Califon 4th Annual Street Fair
When: Sunday October 9, from 1-5 PM
Where: Borough of Califon
All are welcome to attend this free event! Sections of Main street will be closed to automobile traffic and the historic downtown area will be transformed into a communal scene of fall fun, food, and entertainment.
The Califon Street Fair has been growing in leaps and bounds each year. This year the Califon Fire Department will have a beer garden, and there are even more vendors and food options available. Musical highlights include the live bands the Woodford Brothers Band and Pepperville. Free games and entertainment will be offered by the Califon Recreation Committee, including pumpkin painting, face painting a bounce house and more.
AppleFest
Where: Hoffman’s Crossing- 37 Hoffman’s Crossing Road, Califon NJ 07830
When: Saturday, October 15th, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
What: Apple Fest is the inaugural family fun day in Northern Hunterdon County. The Hunterdon County Educational Services Commission invites you to our beautiful 47 acre mountain top campus at 37 Hoffman’s Crossing Road in Califon, NJ.
Food Truck & Wine Festival
Where: Alba Vineyard
When: October 22nd & 23rd, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
What: Join the Alba Vineyard for a tasteful weekend filled with some of the best food trucks in the area, accompanied by great wine! Must be 21 to attend the event.
Hunterdon Land Trust’s 20th anniversary Farm to Table Gala Tickets
When: Oct 9 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Where: Beaver Brook Country Club in Annandale.
Its annual Farm to Table Gala will feature mouth-watering farm-fresh food perfectly prepared by several top local chefs. Chefs Matt McPherson of Matt’s Red Rooster Grill, Marc Viscomi of The Fired Up Flatbread Company, and Julie Klein from Lovin’ Oven will create an unforgettable full-course dinner with ingredients from local farmers. The evening begins at 5 p.m. with a cocktail hour and silent auction. All proceeds go toward HLT’s efforts to protect the places you love in Hunterdon County.
Paws for Claws
When: Saturday October 29, from 10:00 AM-12:00PM
Where: Start at Acme Parking Lot on South Union Street in Lambertville, and end at the American Legion Field on North Union Street in Lambertville.
River Valley is happy to support “Paws for Claws”, a dog walk along the canal to help local dogs and cats. The walk will be held on Saturday October 29, from 10:00 AM-12:00PM, and will start at The Acme Parking Lot on South Union Street in Lambertville, and end at the American Legion Field on North Union Street in Lambertville. The registration fee is $15 with a donation of cat food, or $20 without a donation. The first 100 registrants will receive a gift bag at the finish.
Flemington Fall Restaurant Week
Where: Restaurants of Flemington
When: October 31st – November 6th
What: The Flemington Restaurant Association invites the community to come out enjoy a good deal on a great meal. Restaurant Week prices usually do not include beverage, tax or gratuity. Some restaurants may have chosen to exclude certain days-call ahead to confirm participation on a particular day.
Halloween
The residents of Lambertville never disappoint when it comes to Halloween decorations! Check out photos from past Halloween’s here.
