Central New Jersey may just be the best place to live in the entire state. It’s close to major cities, the beach and the mountains and offers a long list of summer events. If your summer calendar isn’t as full as you’d like, why not add a few of these Hillsborough area events to your itinerary?
All Summer
Farm to Table Market at Duke Farms
Hillsborough
Duke Farms’ Farm to Table Market offers produce, meats, cheeses, crafts and wine every Sunday between May and October. The market supports small family farms and sustainable growing practices and only includes produce and other foods that are locally grown. Market hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
June – August
Somerset Valley Players
Hillsborough
There’s no need to travel to Manhattan to see a play when you can enjoy a live performance at the Somerset Valley Players Playhouse. From June 7th through the 23rd, the Players will present “Jack of Diamonds,” a play about retirees who decide to seek revenge on a swindler who has stolen their life savings.
“Legally Gray,” opens on July 19th and continues through August 4th. The play focuses on Mike and Marie, whose plans for a carefree retirement are disrupted when their daughter and Marie’s mother both move in with them. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
June 8th
Rose Day Festival
Colonial Park Gardens
Somerset
The annual Rose Day Festival celebrates this quintessential summer flower. Held in the park’s Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden, the festival features tours of the rose garden, musical performances, artisans and a variety of food trucks. If you’ve been looking for a small rose bush for your balcony’s container garden, you’ll want to visit the plant sale before you leave. Admission is free, although donations are welcomed.
June 22nd
Sourland Music Festival
Hillsborough Golf and Country Club
Hillsborough
Hillsborough Golf and Country Club is the site of the 16th annual Sourland Music Festival. The festival is hosted by Sourland Conservancy in support of the Sourland Mountain Region, a 90-square-mile area home to grasslands, wetlands and forests. From 3 to 10 p.m., guests will enjoy a musical line-up that includes rock, blues, jazz and folk groups.
The event will also include food trucks and craft vendors. When you’re ready to take a short break from the music, you may want to visit the domestic and wild animals of the Sourlands or talk to one of the naturalists who will be on hand to answer questions. The festival is open to all ages and will include hands-on activities for kids. Admission prices range from $10 for young people ages 12 to 18 and $20 for adults ($30 at the gate). Admission is free for children under age 12.
VIP service is also available for an additional fee. The VIP experience includes local craft beers, wine and light snacks in the VIP tent during the day and an evening buffet meal prepared by the chefs at The Ryland Inn.
June 29th
Independence Day Celebration
Auten Road Intermediate School
Hillsborough
The Hillsborough Independence Day Celebration is the place to be for fireworks, fun and food. Held before the holiday on June 29th, the festivities begin at 5 p.m. with games, activities and music and conclude with the fireworks show at dusk. Organizers encourage you to park at Hillsborough High School and take a free shuttle bus to the intermediate school. (June 30th is the rain date for the fireworks show.)
July 13th
Hillsborough Community Night at the Somerset Patriots
TD Bank Park
Bridgewater
Enjoy the game and mingle with your friends and neighbors at Hillsborough Community Night at the Somerset Patriots, held at 7:05 p.m. on July 13th. The evening will include pre-game entertainment by Hillsborough performing groups, opportunities for Hillsborough residents to participate in on-field promotions, and information about local news and events. If you’re feeling lucky, you’ll want to buy a few 50/50 raffle tickets. (The raffle benefits the Shaun O’Hara Foundation.) After you watch the Patriots take on the New Britain Bees, stick around for the fireworks show.
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