Warren County Wanderings

An Ode to Earth!

“Nature does not hurry yet everything is accomplished.” - Lao Tzu

We’re happy to report that the weather - and the calendar - are heating up! Thanks to Donaldson Farms for the charming cover photo that captures the beauty this time of year brings.

Celebrate Mother Earth this weekend! There is a festival at the Phillipsburg Open Air Market, Belvidere’s Seed Trail, a town-wide party for the 37th Go Green with Hope Green Fair, and a hike along the Paulinskill Valley Trail!  Washington Borough will be jammin’ with its 5th Annual Steampunk Rock & Roll Fair.

For our local library lovers, we are pleased to announce the Grand Reopening of the Catherine Dickson Hofman branch (Blairstown) in a couple of weeks. With live music, refreshments and materials ready for checkout, it's sure to be a great day!

We honor moms with their own unique page of activities for Mother's Day.

If you haven’t already, there is still time to sign up for shares of fresh, local produce through a Community Supported Agriculture program.

Read on for more! Please note this issue takes us through mid-May, so if you know of events occuring later next month, you can still let us know about them! 

Happy belated Earth Day, Happy Mother's Day, Happy Cinco De Mayo, and Happy Wanderings!

Coming Up

Based on the novel by  Stephen King  comes Centenary's musical performance of Carrie. As a teenage outcast who longs to fit in, Carrie White is bullied at school by the popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else.

"Night at the Races" promises an exhilarating evening featuring professionally narrated horse races presented on a large screen with commentary from some of America’s most acclaimed announcers.

WC Arts presents their Spring Artist Workshop with Paper Marbling techniques in the morning and Handmade Journal in the afternoon using your creation from the morning. All materials, lite breakfast & lunch included.

Sponsored by the Belvidere Garden Club! Visit all nine participating buisnesses listed on the flyer (including the Grand Opening of Belvidere Books and Lost Goods & Gear), collect seed packets from each one, then bring your seed packets to the Community Center @ Belvidere (301 Second St.) by 3pm to enter a Grand Prize drawing!

Come dressed for the occasion! The 5th annual Rock & Roll Steampunk Fair is a free event in downtown Washington Borough and features a full day of live music, streets lined with vendors, fabulous costumes, street performers, local specials, activities and so much more! 

 Enjoy free admission to glean environmental and sustainability information and wares from more than 50 exhibitors, talk to vendors, pick up some free seedlings and books, enter raffles and more! You may drop off unused medications and electronic waste. A food truck will be on site, and there is also a town-wide Yard Sale, Clothing Drive, Craft Show and Art Show in town that day. "Hope" to see you there!

Along with serving as home base for the Seed Trail, the Community Center @ Belvidere will host kids activities and free ice cream while supply lasts!

A flaky, buttery dough stuffed with savory mixtures of meats and vegetables creates a mouthwatering contract between the tender interior and the crispy exterior. Those made by Something to Taco About are authentic South-of-the-Border treats!

The party will be held at the brewery and in the lower lot with a block party style set up for serving beers, food, music with live DJ, 90s car show and more. Vendors will be on site for the party as well.
 

It's time for the 2025 Beer Garden reopening with Invertase house band, The Big Fuss. Band starts at 4pm and Cousins Maine Lobster nearby all day!

This is a family & dog-friendly, rain or shine.

The famous Argyle restaurant known for its fish fry in Kearny may be closed but you still have a chance to get the original meal cooked on site, by the former owner, here at Brook Hollow Winery. Live music and fun and games will also be provided for eat in attendees.

Get ready to celebrate 10 years with The Joe Cirotti Trio live at Roy's Hall. This Northwest Jersey Appalachian band will be playing full-band renditions of Joe Cirotti's remarkable catalog of original songs from his three full-length record releases.

Phillipsburg's Open Air Market, open every Sunday through October, showcases farms, crafters, baked goods and artisans vendors, along with live music and food.

Just in time for Mother's Day, shop over 30 local vendors, Brook Hollow wine, a food truck or two, and live music!

This is a free event.

 

Warren County Arts 27th Spring Open Art Show starts May 3 and will be up until June 28. Reception for this art show is June 1 from 2 - 4pm with music by Acustic Sol.

 

 

Enjoy a day of free informative lectures and presentations, tours of spectacular gardens, a wide selection of vendors and food, music and a large selection of 1,898 varieties of plants will be available.

Area 57 is all about tech and aviation, highlighting the Drone demonstrations by Warren Community College. The College has been building a nationally acclaimed drone, robotics and AI program. This program teaches piloting, design and development, and the maintenance and repair of drones.

The Warren County winery train makes its first trip of the season! Board at the Lehigh Junction Station in old town Phillipsburg for a scenic trip along the banks of the beautiful Delaware River, then tour Villa Milagro vineyard and winery to learn how grapes are grown and wines are made, followed by a wine tasting paired with hors d'oeuvres. Train runs weekends through the end of October.

Join Villa Milagro for a little South of the Border flavor! Red or White Sangria by the glass. Complimentary “bocadillos” (little bites). Local artisan cheeses and charcuteries available for purchase – or BYOP (picnic).

Join the largest book signing of its kind in New Jersey. Grab some wine and meet over 60 authors, representing many genres. There will also be door prizes and goody bags!

Admission is free.

 

Witches and warlocks, zombies and vampires, ghosts and goblins, don’t despair! You are invited to a grand affair! Abilities of Northwest New Jersey Inc. is embarking on their first Halfway to Halloween Costume Ball Saturday, May 3.

Gina Rosseland of Warren County Land Preservation's Division of Cultural and Heritage Affairs will be giving a talk on the beginnings of Warren County, appropriate for the County's Bicentennial year. This is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

 

One of Buck Hill's most popular events! A four-course meal, each paired with beer and bourbon.

Limited is seating. Reservations required and held with a credit card by calling 908-854-5300. 

$120 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

Maifest is the traditional German celebration of the arrival of spring and Hackettstown is joining in the fun! Various businesses will host an assortment of live entertainment, activities, cuisine and craft beers.

PRRH recently restored Lehigh and Hudson River caboose number 18 will be positioned next to the museum building for all to easily explore. The Centerville and Southwestern Miniature Railroad will be operating, and its museum and gift shop will be open.

Admission is free.

Learn to paint realistic animals with Christina Podabed using watercolor supplies. Please bring watercolor paper, paints, brushes, mixing palette and water container. (Some of everything will be available for those who just want to try watercolors without having to go out and buy stuff).

Judy Carmichael will have audiences dancing in the aisles with high-energy interpretations of

Join Historian of Rutherfurd Hall, Joan Leckie Salvas, and a team of knowledgeable docents for an immersive experience that will transport you through the grand rooms, rich stories, and remarkable legacy of the Rutherfurd family - and their impact on local and national history. Tickets

Phillipsburg's Ole Towne Festival weekend kicks off with an Ice Cream Social and opportunity to ride the Centerville and Southwestern Miniature Railroad!

Warren County Arts presents “Animal, Fish, Fowl Exhibit” open until Oct. 4 with artist reception August 10 from 2 - 4pm. 

Made possible by funds from the NJ State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Come for a full day of creating with two artist taught classes, breakfast and lunch provided, plus all materials.

Join Andrea Gianchiglia for a beginner-friendly pastel morning focusing on foundational pastel techniques. Two small pieces will be offered. 

One of Buck Hill's most popular events! A four-course meal, each paired with beer and bourbon.

Limited is seating. Reservations required and held with a credit card by calling 908-854-5300. 

$120 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

Entertainment

Brook Hollow never stops with the live music! Enjoy weekend music. Wine will be available by glass or bottle purchase.

Live music will be inside our cozy, heated Barn Parlor & Tasting Room for winter months & early Spring.

May 3 - Eric Lear
May 4 - Dave Read

Start Spring off right with the opening weekend of the Arbor! Live music and great wine!

Tiptons will be rockin' in May!

Live music will be inside our cozy, heated Barn Parlor & Tasting Room for winter months & early Spring.

Brook Hollow never stops with the live music! Enjoy weekend music. Wine will be available by glass or bottle purchase.

Brook Hollow never stops with the live music! Enjoy weekend music. Wine will be available by glass or bottle purchase.

Live music will be inside LR cozy, heated Barn Parlor & Tasting Room for winter months & early Spring.

July 2 - Walt Kosar 2-5pm
July 3 - Dave Read  1-4pm

Tiptons will be rockin' in August!

August 15 - Scott Messina 
August 16 - Uncle Rocco
August 17 - Hannah Noel 
August 22 - 2 Way Street
August 23 - Naked Jake
August 24 - Chuck Shubert & Co. 

Tiptons will be rockin' in September!

September 5 - Rob & Marty
September 6 - Gearbox
September 7 - Ten Gallon Matt
September 12 - Truth & Soul
September 13 - Jeff Bellfy & Co
September 19 - Chuck Shubert & Co 

Tiptons will be rockin' in October!

October 3 - Jimmy & the Parrots Duo 
October 4 - Radio One
October 10 - George Grillo & Chris Condel
October 17 - Bottlecaps 
October 18 - Bobby Clark
October 24 - Stevie Vicks 

Tiptons will be rockin' in November!

November 1 - Naked Jake
November 7 - Ted Donatelli 
November 8 - Skin of My Teeth
November 14 - Truth & Soul
November 15 - Dirty Laundry
November 21 - Chuck Shubert & Co.

Tiptons will be rockin' in December!

December 6 - Whiskey Mansion 
December 12 - Tim VG
December 13 - Harmony Garage Band  and UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER PARTY
December 19 - Cowboy and The Hippies 

Continuing

Back by popular demand! Brook Hollow invites you to a Friday night Meal Deal, perfectly paired with live music and extended happy hour specials. Talk about the ultimate pairing for your night out! Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance.

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.

Interested in joining a fiction book club and drinking great beer? Check out the new monthly fiction book club.

Check out the wesbite to sign up and find out more about the book selections.

Next Stop Comedy brings the best comedians, with new lineups every time, straight to your neighborhood for an unforgettable night of laughter! These shows feature top-tier talent from across the country, delivering high-energy performances in intimate, local venues.

UACNJ provides free public programs at the astronomy club in Jenny Jump State Forest from April through October on Saturday evenings.

Back by popular demand! Brook Hollow invites you to a Friday night Meal Deal, perfectly paired with live music and extended happy hour specials. Talk about the ultimate pairing for your night out! Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance.

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.

Back by popular demand! Brook Hollow invites you to a Friday night Meal Deal, perfectly paired with live music and extended happy hour specials. Talk about the ultimate pairing for your night out! Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance.

Community Corner

Offering both eat-in and drive-through Roast Beef boxed dinner, including assorted desserts. $19 per meal. You may call 908-750-4394 with questions, but no need to call! Just bring your appetite and help support the church's various mission programs.

Monthly breakfast, all you can eat! Omelet bar additional $3.

The Southwest Library branch welcomes Gladius, an accomplished classical and flamenco style guitarist, demonstrating an eclectic range of musical genres making use of acoustic and electric guitars.

Franklin Township will be a busy place May 2 - 3 with a rummage sale beginning Friday, May 2 and continuing with a bag sale May 3 from 9am - 2pm. The 2nd Annual Car Show and Craft Fair will begin at 8am Saturday with free admission, live music and food available through the fire department.

Blairstown residents, drop off your confidential papers to be shredded by Absolute Shredding. Limit 2 20lb. boxes per person. Open until the mobile unit is full.

The Water Gap Singers invites the audience to a pleasing Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart afternoon, a program that includes his "Ave Verum Corpus", “Regina Coeli” (K.276), and the "Laudate Dominum” movement from the Solemn Vespers, plus his Requiem in D minor.