Late July - Early August 2025
“If we are all the best we can be in the show barn, imagine how much better the experience would be for everyone.” – Angie Sandy, American designer and illustrator
Wanderers, we’re being honest here: Your friends at Explore Warren have been quite busy lately, but we’re trying our best for the old show barn! Part of our busy-ness is preparing for the Warren County Farmers’ Fair & Hot Air Balloon Festival, which opens tomorrow! There is still time to enter shows and contests. If you go, please visit the “Warren County & You” government exhibit building to say hello and enter our contest to win prizes!
This issue is packed with plenty of other goodies, so without further ado, Happy Wanderings!
Coming Up
As Dayton Middle School prepares for its annual spring musical, everyone is flabbergasted when Lindsey, the perennial star of the school, is passed over for the “leading" role, in favor of quiet unassuming Izzy. What follows is a series of chaotic schemes and plots culminating in lots of fun
What better way to celebrate than with a morning full of over-the-top breakfast sundaes and sweet creations that’ll make you feel like a kid again? Join Tranquillity Farms to celebrate the weekend with inventive ice cream combinations for breakfast!
Bring the family to Donaldson's for an event benefiting Sister2Sister, an organizaion hepling those in underserved communitie battling cancer, in memory of Amanda Chernack. Local food, drink, music, hayrides, & Jeeps.
It's recommend to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets.
The 87th Farmers' Fair includes the 25th Hot Air Balloon Festival, a Traditional Arts Expo and marks Warren County's 200th birthday! Enjoy free musical entertainment and equestrian events throughout the week, plus an Antique Car Show on 7/28. Mass balloon launch EVERY NIGHT (weather permitting). Come visit us at the "Warren County and You" building behind the main grandstand. Daily farm events & exhibits; the Kids Corral; various Main Arena shows; and so much more. Sunday is Veterans Day (free admission with ID) and Monday is Senior Day (free admission by showing Medicare card). See you at the Fair!
A summer night. Estate wine. A chef-driven menu under the vines. Alba kicks off of its Chef Dinner Series; a four-course menu crafted by Chef Hunter Stagg, paired with a curated glass of Alba’s estate wine.
Yacht Rock Gold Experience concert brings you all of your favorite hits from the late 1970s and early 1980s to new generations of music fans. Celebrating the smooth sounds of the Doobie Brothers, Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan, Christopher Cross, Kenny Loggins, Little River Band, Ambrosia, Boz Skaggs and so many more!
Come enjoy the day with family and friends at the Mountain Lake Fire Company Car Show! All makes and modles including Hot Rods, customs, antiques, classic, modern cars, trucks, bikes, boats and tractors before 1964.
Free meal ticket with vehicle entrance and custom trophies awarded.
Phillipsburg's Open Air Market, open every Sunday through October, showcases farms, crafters, baked goods and artisans vendors, along with live music and food. July 27 features berry-themed food and activities! Berry pie baking contest, pie eating contest, berry smoothies and more!
An immersive murder mystery experience that promises an evening of excitement and entertainment. Begin with an indulgent wine tasting featuring a selection of 8 exquisite wines, followed by a Chicken Parmigiana dinner with pasta, salad, bread and dessert.
Described as a truly transformative class about getting to know yourself and others in a deeper way. You will become aware of the various ways you tend to energetically and emotionally react to the people and events around you.
Kids and adults can enjoy an evening of trucks and other machinery for a sensory experience. Tickets are $3 person for Touch a Truck experience; $6 for Touch a Truck and Cow Train ride.
Celebrate August with a Sunflower Fest every weekend at VonThun Farms, featuring a different theme, such as fruit, brews, flowers and more! Bring your lawn chair and blanket and enjoy delicious food from a lineup of food trucks, live music, games and activities for all ages!
Argyle Restaurant is back at Brook Hollow serving up another delicious clam bake, specializing in the highest quality Scottish Fish n' Chips, along with shrimp, hot dogs, burgers, corn, salads, desserts and more!
Indulge in a memorable day filled with wine, food, and the fun of barefoot grape stomping at Four Sisters Winery. Cost is $51.58/person + tax, which includes a formal wine tasting, a delicious dinner with dessert, and concludes with a tasting of specialty dessert wine.
Another FOUND Fest, usually the first Saturday of each month. Incredible food trucks, great live music, family fun, corn hole, chair massage, and its evening Farmers Market is back and growing! The FOUND family is working hard to bring the community together and invite everyone to see how Belvidere is growing.
In 1988, two Bucks County high school grads started a blues “band” with a guitar and mouth harp.
Summer will be in full swing so let's bring the trucks back to the farm! Donaldson Farms has partnered with great organizations for a great event featuring up to 11 food trucks, live music by Brian Dean Moore Band, games and activities for all ages! Czig Meister Brewing will also be on site.
Shippen Manor's season opens with annual museum tours celebrating Warren County's Bicentennial. Docents will be available to greet visitors and share the history of the Manor, its people, and the local industrial history of Oxford. Tours are offered on the main floor of the building.
National Night Out is a nationwide, annual event that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie, and celebrated in a number of Warren County communities:
Meg Lyding, trained through Circle of Chi by Master Lama Rasaji who lived and trained at the Darchen Lamasery in Tibet, shares a series of gentle, flowing, meditative movements done standing with balanced breathing. Meg who operates at a higher frequency, and is soft, focused and articulate.
Grab your boots and hit the dance floor with DJ Dave Rupell and Jess of Country Fusion Instructing! Great for all levels, ages, and families - no line dancing experience necessary! $12/person ages 10+ (children younger than 10 are free).
Pop’ on board a train ride adventure with Thomas the Tank Engine! Day Out With Thomas: The Party Tour complete with Celebration Station for party-themed games and activities! Spend the day creating memories and celebrating 80 years of Thomas!
Come out to Zeek's Place for the 2025 season of Cruise Night with Blood Moon Performance automotive. This event is once a month and open to all types of cars, from classic to modern muscle, tuners and trucks. Lot fills up quickly.
The tournament includes 24 teams on 4 fields vying for the championship including the two-time defending champion – The Rookies. The tournament is held, rain or shine, at the Franklin Township Fire Department in Asbury, NJ.
The Moon Dwellers, a local Hunterdon County band of three talented musicians, performs New Orleans, Blues, folk-rock plus originals. Wear your dance shoes and pack a picnic. Wine by bottle. Advance tickets $15. At door $20. Tickets guarantee table/chairs.
Breaking Glass Art Studio at Infloressense. This summer, create your own beach-inspired stained glass seashell! A condensed two-day beginner workshop will introduce you to the fine art of Tiffany-style stained glass.
Have you ever felt the need to just slow down and take a breather?
Shippen Manor's season opens with annual museum tours celebrating Warren County's Bicentennial. Docents will be available for tours and talks about the history of the people and the local industry of Oxford.
The 87th Farmers' Fair includes the 25th Hot Air Balloon Festival, a Traditional Arts Expo and marks Warren County's 200th birthday! Enjoy free musical entertainment and equestrian events throughout the week, plus an Antique Car Show on 7/28. Mass balloon launch EVERY NIGHT (weather permitting). Come visit us at the "Warren County and You" building behind the main grandstand. Daily farm events & exhibits; the Kids Corral; various Main Arena shows; and so much more. Sunday is Veterans Day (free admission with ID) and Monday is Senior Day (free admission by showing Medicare card). See you at the Fair!
Shippen Manor's season opens with annual museum tours celebrating Warren County's Bicentennial. Docents will be available for tours and talks about the history of the people and the local industry of Oxford.
Shippen Manor's season opens with annual museum tours celebrating Warren County's Bicentennial. Docents will be available to greet visitors and share the history of the Manor, its people, and the local industrial history of Oxford. Tours are offered on the main floor of the building.
Shippen Manor continues to celebrate Warren County's Bicentennial with Victorian Candlelight tours. Registration is now open. Please contact Gina by email or call the office 908- 453-4381 during office hours for more information.
Entertainment
Live music and great wine! Admission $10/person or complimentary with a paid wine flight. Must be 21+
Friday and Saturday Evenings: 6-8:30 p.m.
Tiptons features live music most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Lineup:
July 25 - Chuck Shubert & Co 8-11
July 26 - Liquid Garden Band 8-11
July 27 - Port Authority 3-6
August 1 - JerZGirls 8-11
August 2 - Doubletime Paradigm 8-11
Brook Hollow never stops with the live music! Enjoy weekend music. Wine will be available by glass or bottle purchase.
Live music and great wine under the Arbor! Afternoons, 1-4:30pm
Get ready for live music on the deck at Four Sisters! All music starts at 1pm unless otherwise noted.
July 26 - Anker 12:30
July 27 - Ed Jankiewicz
Aug. 2 - Jordan Allen 12:30
No Reservations Required. Admission Fee $10/person at the gate (age 2 & under free). Live music lineup:
July 26 - Peter Amadeo 2-5pm
July 27 - John Cain 1-4pm
August 2 - Ralph James 2-5pm
August 3 - Allan Willcokson 1-4pm
Brook Hollow never stops with the live music! Enjoy weekend music. Wine will be available by glass or bottle purchase.
No Reservations Required. Admission Fee $10/person at the gate (age 2 & under free). Live music lineup:
September 7 - Dave Read
September 13 - Rene' Avilia
September 14 - John Cain
September 21 - Jeni Hackett
Brook Hollow never stops with the live music! Enjoy weekend music. Wine will be available by glass or bottle purchase.
Aug 15 - Katy Gerhold
Aug 16 - Scott Messina
Aug 17 - Ally Brown
Aug 22 - OPEN MIC NIGHT
Aug 23 - Sage
Brook Hollow never stops with the live music! Enjoy weekend music. Wine will be available by glass or bottle purchase.
Sept. 5 - Rich Ortiz
Sept. 6 - Ally Brown
Katy Gerhold
Sept. 7 - Scott Messina
Brook Hollow never stops with the live music! Enjoy weekend music. Wine will be available by glass or bottle purchase.
Oct 3 - Rich Ortiz
Oct 4 - Ally Brown
Oct 5 - Elizabeth Gillen
Oct 10 - OPEN MIC NIGHT
Oct 11 - Lee Larson
Brook Hollow never stops with the live music! Enjoy weekend music. Wine will be available by glass or bottle purchase.
Nov 28- OPEN MIC NIGHT
Nov 29 - Katy Gerhold
Nov 30 - Ashley Marquez
Brook Hollow never stops with the live music! Enjoy weekend music. Wine will be available by glass or bottle purchase.
Dec 5 - Water Street
Dec 6 - Katy Gerhold
Dec 7 - Rich Ortiz
Dec 12 - OPEN MIC NIGHT
Dec 13 - Scott Messina
No Reservations Required. Admission Fee $10/person at the gate (age 2 & under free). Live music lineup:
November 1 - Dan DeChellis
November 8 - Jeff Bellfy
November 15 - Chuck Schubert
Continuing
Relax and enjoy outdoor dining and live music while surrounded by the stunning views of Donaldson's. James on Main, Czig Meister and Va Fa Napoli Pizza Truck will be on site as well.
May through September, Brook Hollow is making Saturdays even better with live music (no cover!), a tasty food truck, and your favorite Brook Hollow wines. Grab a cozy seat around the fire pit (first come, first served), or reserve a spot on our covered porch for a more intimate vibe.
UACNJ provides free public programs at the astronomy club in Jenny Jump State Forest from April through October on Saturday evenings.
Mary Golden Wellness invites everyone to yoga for a cause while supporting your personal and community wellness. Bring a friend, family member, child or spouse. This class is partner-friendly and safe for all ages and levels.
Now through September, take advantage of the warm weather and enjoy your dinner with a view or pick up something to go! Tranquillity hosts a food truck every Thursday (rotating schedule), and Taco Tuesday with A Taco Affair (select Tuesdays). Don’t forget to grab your ice cre
Summerfest 2025 comes to a finale worth seeing with comedian Paula Poundstone.
Barnyard Buddies is a program that was designed for kids ages 2 and up who have an interest in farm life and love the outdoors.
Alba's flavorful evenings under the Arbor are back as The Reverie Kitchen chefs fire up the grill for Friday Steak Nights! A three course grilled dinner is $75/person + tax.
Regular menu also available. Table service – pay when you order. Wine sold separately by the bottle or glass.
May through September, Brook Hollow is making Saturdays even better with live music (no cover!), a tasty food truck, and your favorite Brook Hollow wines. Grab a cozy seat around the fire pit (first come, first served), or reserve a spot on our covered porch for a more intimate vibe.
Alba's flavorful evenings under the Arbor are back as The Reverie Kitchen chefs fire up the grill for Friday Steak Nights! A three course grilled dinner is $75/person + tax.
Regular menu also available. Table service – pay when you order. Wine sold separately by the bottle or glass.
UACNJ provides free public programs at the astronomy club in Jenny Jump State Forest from April through October on Saturday evenings.
The live presentation is followed by stargazing on the telescopes until 10:30pm, weather permitting.
Every onther Wednesday, Line Dancing with Jen! $10 cover fee to enter; dinner service available.