Learn some basics of machine sewing while you make a beautiful Christmas Wreath from a selection of fabrics. If you don't want to sew, you may chose to make a Rag Wreath that does not require sewing! Make as a gift or for your own home!
Starting November 29, 2017
“It is December, and nobody asked if I was ready.” - Sarah Kay, American poet
The new month arrives Friday, the holidays are around the corner, but don't panic! We are here to help you get ready! First, the tree. Warren County is "The Christmas Tree Belt" as the state's top producer of Jersey Fresh trees, plus our farms consistently win statewide and national honors for their quality. We kicked off the choose-and-cut season last week at an event at Mt. Bethel Christmas Tree Farm in Mansfield Township (that's a photo of it), and you can click to our guide to choose-and-cut farms here. Next, gifts! There are plenty of shopping events, craft shows, and workshops where you can make your own decorative items in this week's edition of Warren County Wanderings, plus you can click over to our Unique Holiday Gift Guide for more ideas. Then, entertainment! Centenary Stage Company's holiday spectacular Newsies The Musical is a hit and you'll find other shows for the whole family below. And it's Santa Time! so click to see where you can find the Big Guy. Read on, and Happy Wanderings!
Coming Up
Let Flowerland Growers help you create a fresh evergreen arrangement such as a door swag, porch pot, or an amazing centerpiece with candles for your holiday table. Bring your own container or choose one from our selection. All materials, including fresh cut greens, bows, decorative picks, etc.
Lakota Wolf Preserve hosts its annual art show fundraiser at Brook Hollow Winery. Shop for Lakota Wolf T-shirts, sweatshirts, prints, framed prints and a special Jeff Echevarria original he is donating to be auctioned off.
The Hackettstown BID will host the 11th Annual Hometown Holiday celebration, in partnership with Centenary University, Hackettstown Medical Center, and Wells Fargo, and sponsored in part by Visions Federal Credit Union and Hackettstown Parking Authority.
Join us every first Friday night in 2017. Bring the family to enjoy the music of Late Night Kennel Club. Fresh, local & friendly. Dinner served 5-9 p.m. with music from 6-9 p.m.
Enjoy the Americana music of Gordon Ward in the Tavern! The Inn has a full menu and features craft beers, fine wines and expansive cocktail selections. There is no charge for the music, but reservations are recommended. Call 908-459-4884.
Get into the Christmas spirit and wear that ugly sweater! This event is hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Mountain Lake Fire Company. There will be music by DJ Lunden Fog, a cash bar and prizes to win. You are sure to have a great time!
Brook Falls Farm is happy to present another night of music and community at the Carriage House in Historic Blairstown NJ for an all ages open stage. C'mon out and share your songs and talent. Bring your guitar, ukulele, we provide a keyboard.
Held the first Friday of every month. They have everything you need to perform. You just need to bring your inner rock star and your talent. This isn't a competition; it's an opportunity for local artists to play in front of a friendly audience.
The Outcrops are a four-piece rock n roll band from North Jersey. They incorporate bits of the blues, folk, funk, jazz, and old country roots. Check them out!
Blame It On The Girl is a modern party rock cover band based in Northern NJ. The band engages the audience by providing a high-energy and fun entertainment experience that includes audience interaction, costume changes, and alternate versions of songs. Come by and check them out.
The Warren County Community Singers will present two performances of their annual Winterfest of Music featuring the Children’s Chorus of Warren County on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec.
Enjoy some hot cider, horse-drawn carriage rides through the farm, find some festive decor or the perfect gift, and much more!
Held in the gymnasium of Blairstown Elementary School, where kids can shop parent-free in a safe enviornment, and parents can shop kid-free at more than 60 different vendor tables.
8th Annual Warren County Technical School Craft Show. Over 130 of the area's finest crafters and artisans will come together for this one-day juried event to display their unique handmade items.
Create your very own evergreen wreath from scratch. Then, adorn it with bows, berries, pine cones and more. Please dress for the mess. Bring working gloves as it’s a sappy job sometimes. $35 per person.
Please join the artists of Gallery 23 for a Holiday Reception. Come enjoy refreshments and celebrate this magical time of year. Many of the artists will be in attendance for a meet and greet.
This is the 40th year of a wonderful town-wide holiday event with more than 200 artisans participating. Upon arrival, there is a onetime $4 fee that allows shoppers access to all the buildings and the shuttle buses that travel through the town both days.
It's Christmas time! Create your own fresh evergreen 16″ wreath using various types of pine and holly. These contrasting greens will be wire wrapped onto a metal-form; making a long-lasting attractive display. You can also add decorative pine cones and a colorful bow.
Visit Millbrook Village and step back into another era where the toys and games don't need batteries. Old-time decorations adorn the buildings while volunteers and park staff in period clothing demonstrate how the season was celebrated in years past.
Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary Holiday Bazaar is a day filled with wonderful crafts and specialty items. There will be Franky Banky Holiday Cookies and lots of other goods.
Join Rock Creek for its first Holiday Boutique! They will have six vendors that will help you choose the perfect gift for your loved ones this holiday season! Lastly, there will be a very special appearance by Santa for children of all ages to take pictures with.
Visit the historical mansion while it is decorated for the holidays. There will be family photo opportunities with Santa, music, holiday crafts and much more. Free event (Donations gladly accepted).
Using holly and various types of fresh greens, create a delightful centerpiece for your holiday table. Then, you can add pine cones, berries and finish with a candle and decorative bow. The approximate size is 14″. Please bring gloves and clippers.
The Pequest Co-Op is celebrating 1 year in business. Come by for some light food, desserts and refreshments!
Belvidere's annual Tree Lighting at Riverside Park includes a visit from Santa, holiday music, hot chocolate/cookies/hot dogs and a trackless train!
While you dine, relax and enjoy the soft rock tunes of Jersey's own Rich Goldberg, covering more than 70 iconic artists, from the Beatles to Billy Joel and from James Taylor to Elton John.
Live comedy featuring comedians from NJ and NY will have you saying Ho-Ho-Ho!
Check them out at the Rock Creek! Great food and drink specials too.
Alexis P. Suter is the owner of that big, booming voice you can hear roaring out of Brooklyn into the heart of North America and beyond. The Alexis P. Suter Band are on the rise as accolades pour in and they continue to captivate audiences from town to town.
Uncle Smiley is at Plan B Pub! They play a wide variety of music from oldies to current hits, classic rock, pop, country and anything else you want to hear. Keeping the dance floor full and seeing the "Smiley" faces!
Classic Rock, Classic Disco and some current music? Must be a Mid-Life Crisis!
Do you enjoy yoga? Come by The Architects Golf Club and "Bend and Brunch." First Sunday of every month you can stretch, bend and then have some brunch. $25 per person. Sign up today and buy your ticket.
Santa Claus will be visiting during their regular Sunday Brunch. Ol' Saint Nick will be taking photos with good children and listening to their Christmas wish lists. Get the family together for a Christmas brunch celebration!
Flappers, Bootleggers and Mobsters are invited to get their “Bee’s knees” on to celebrate the 84th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition. Snap your photo in the Juice Joint Jail. Do the Charleston with a partner and win a prize. Wine tasting fee $5 per person.
An old fashioned Christmas service and carol singing will be held in the Millbrook Church at 5pm Sunday evening followed by a fellowship get together in the Van Campen Farmhouse. Enjoy the friendship and warmth of the season in an old time atmosphere where Peace and Good Will prevail.
Meet musical artist and television personality Kevin Jonas, former New York Giants Running Back Lee Rouson, and MLB Sports anchor Scott Braun! Members of the community are invited to Centenary University as it hosts this event, sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee Miten Patel of Hackettsto
Come to the farmstead on a magical night and visit with Father Christmas in the Summer Kitchen by the fire! A wonderful time for children of all ages!
With the Purchase of a Guinness pint you'll get to sit down with a representative to create an etching design for your glass! Don't miss out on the fun. For any questions call 862-228-1170 or email amanda@draughthousebar.com.
Continuing
At this time of year, the Well-Sweep garden fairies transform the shop into a Christmas wonderland. The greenhouse will be stocked with a selection of attractive windowsill herbs, tender perennials in bloom and unique topiaries. Enter to win a $35 Gift Certificate.
Start your Christmas tradition by visiting three of Warren County’s most unique, family-owned farms all within 4 minutes of each other. Wyckoff’s Christmas Tree Farm, Mackey’s Orchard and Four Sisters Winery invite your family to enjoy a fun-filled day of Christmas trees, baked goods, wine
Saturday, November 25 is Small Business Saturday. When you visit any of the participating BID businesses and make a purchase, you will receive a limited number Shop Small fabric tote bag, with a Shop Small Card for Hackettstown businesses. One bag will also contain $25 in BID Bucks.
Centenary Stage Company's production of Disney's NEWSIES The Musical. Music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman and book by Harvey Fierstein. The show is based on the Disney Film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White.
Community Corner
Support the Ladies Auxiliary of Huntington Fire Company #1 and bring your appetite to this breakfast buffet. There is a wide selection of food available. $10 for adults. $5 for children 10 and under. Children 3 and under are free. Santa will be there for a free picture.
Bring your furry family members for a chance to get their picture taken with Santa Paws! For each $5 donation, you will receive a photo of your pet in a holiday frame. Our PAL volunteer elves will be ready for you and to help make sure you get that perfect shot.
Plan Ahead
One-stop Holiday Shopping! Shop small, shop local this holiday. Multiple crafters/vendors and gifts for everyone on your list!
Let's celebrate the season with an evening of holiday music, gourmet hot and cold food, and beverages while benefiting the Abilities of Northwest Jersey, Inc. and The Arc of Warren County. The Festival of Trees is magical!
Join Musconetcong Watershed Association to celebrate its 25th anniversary! This being a major milestone for the organization as well as the 150th anniversary of the Asbury Mill it is restoring, what a great reason to celebrate.
Don't know what to give to that family member or friend? Something handmade is always a great option! They will have different projects available like ornament decorating/painting, canvas painting, home decor making, etc. There will also be a wrapping station available!
Plant Nite is invading bars and restaurants near you with everything you need to create a gorgeous terrarium. They will guide you and your crew through two lively hours of creativity, drinking, and laughing until your cheeks hurt.
This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live '40s radio broadcast. With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve.
"A Stomping We Will Go" at our Barefoot Grape Stomping! $35 per person (plus tax & service fee). Advanced tickets required. Call for tickets at 908-475-3671.
A Moravian Christmas in the Historic Village of Hope. From 4pm-5pm, you can visit Saint Nicholas at the Moravian Farm House. For the rest of the time, you can see the lantern tour, a live nativity and a reading of Dicken's "A Christmas Carol". Street and alleyways will be lit by 1000 luminaries.
Hometown Holiday is a can’t-miss celebration that will light up the downtown in more ways than one.
The Pajama Game was awarded the 1955 Tony for Best Musical and, over half of a century later, claimed the award for Best Revival of a Musical, proving that the story is truly timeless.
Villa Milagro will feature internationally renown guitar duo Laura Oltman & Michael Newman performing a Christmas Pastorale featuring the music of Bach, Handel, Mendelssohn, Pachelbel, Brahms and more. Doors open at 6 for wine tasting before the show. Music is from 7-9.
Award winning tenor jazz saxophonist & record producer, Houston Person is known as the “The Boss Tenor Crown.” He’s performed in the hard bop and swing genres, but most experienced in and best known for his work in soul jazz.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a reimagining of the Biblical story of Joseph, his father Jacob, eleven brothers and the coat of many colors. Told entirely through song with the help of a main character Narrator, the musical follows preferred son Joseph.
The Tony Award winning lyricist of A Chorus Line, Edward Kleban, was determined to write both the words and music for a Broadway show, a goal unrealized in 1987 when he died of cancer at the age of 48.
It's that time of year again! There’s magic in the air and a sparkle in every smile when The Nutcracker comes to town. In this dramatic presentation, the audience is invited to Dr. and Mrs. Stahlbaum's Christmas Party.