SATURDAY ONLY



City of Water Day Festival at Liberty State Park (Jersey City and Governor’s Island, NY)

Get set to get wet! It’s a full-on water party at Liberty State Park this weekend.  There’s boat tours on historic and educational vessels; a spectacular flotilla of hundreds of kayakers, canoers, and sailors; kayaking, rowing, and fishing opportunities;  arts and crafts;  games; a Waterfront Activity Fair; car-free waterfront biking; delicious food;  live music; and even a FREE ferry between Governors Island & Liberty State Park to catch all the action! Saturday, July 16. 10am-4pm.
FREE. Call 212-935-9831 for more information.



Morning with a Naturalist at Environmental Education Center (Basking Ridge)

Have a little 4-6 year-old nature lover, but not so much into the great outdoors yourself?   Just drop ‘em off for a morning of nature fun! The day starts with an easy hike, followed by snack-and-storytime, games, and finishes up with creative nature-inspired crafts. And you?  Does crawling back into 100% cotton sheets count as your nature experience? We say yes. Saturday, July 16, 9:30am-noon. $20./child.  Registration required and available online (course code 51312) or call 908-766-2489.



9th Annual New Jersey State Ice Cream Festival (Toms River)

A whole day devoted to nothing but ice cream?  Pinch me now!  Head to Toms River to taste tons of ice creams and vote for your favorites! When you’re full up, enjoy games, carnival rides, inflatables, stiltwalkers, and live music.  Meet New Jersey’s Dairy Princesses and Scorch, the mascot of the Trenton Devils, and take in an ice cream eating contest–in fact, sign up the kids and yourselves and join in the eat-off!  It’s one time you won’t have to feel guilty for finishing off that container.  Saturday, July 16. 11:30am-5pm.  FREE.  (Ice cream tasting kits $6./kit advance purchase, $7. at event.)  Call 732-341-8738 for more information.

13th Annual Bastille Day Fete (Frenchtown)

What better place to celebrate Bastille Day than Frenchtown?  (Okay, okay, outside of a trip to Europe?)  Jazz bands, a strolling accordionist and more musical troupes provide a live Parisian soundtrack as you wander through local shops, galleries and antique stores featuring special sales, activities, and demonstrations. Local restaurants all offer French-themed menu choices. There’s a puppet show, strolling street performers, local crafters and other local vendors. Check out the silent art auction featuring paintings of Frenchtown, created that very morning by local artists.  At 9pm, spread out your picnic blankets, set up the lawn chairs, and settle in for “Movie Under the Stars” featuring the original “The Pink Panther” starring Peter Sellers and David Niven.  Magnifique! Saturday, July 16.  Noon-6pm.  For more information, call 908-797-3569.



Sourland Music Festival (Hillsborough)    
                         

Lawn chairs? Check. Picnic basket? Check. Blanket? Check. Now you’re ready to rock!    Sit back and relax, or stand and shake that booty to the sounds of a whole slew of "mountain music" bands from the Voodudes to Nasty Ned & Johnny Charles.  There’s also a silent auction, festival vendors, and lots of delicious local food and refreshments available to purchase. Saturday, July 16. 4pm-11pm. Tickets available online: $20./adult; $5/children 6-13 years old; FREE for children 5-and-under. (Proceeds benefit planning and conservatory efforts.) For more information, call 609-915-6945.       



SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

Poconos Wurst Festival and 5K Run (Shawnee on-Delaware)

Oktoberfest in July? It could be “wurst!”  Put on your lederhosen, grab your stein and dance up a storm at this fest full of brews, brats and music! Enjoy polka bands and German Oom Pa Pa bands; Polish & German dancers; "Ski" the Polish Magician; "Hot Dog" Dog Races; the German "Brat" Man;  Bavarian juggling shows; face painting; a huge inflatable Bavarian slide, and authentic German/Polish foods and vendors.  Prost! Saturday, July 16, noon-7pm; Sunday, July 17, noon-6pm. Tickets available online and at event.  Advance 1-day tickets: $12./adult; $10./children 5-12 years. Gate 1-day tickets: $15./adult; $12./children 5-12 years. Advance 2-day tickets:  $20./adult; $20./children 5-12 years.  Gate 2-day tickets: $24./adult; $24./children 5-12 years. FREE for children 4-and-under. Call 570-421-7231 for more information.



Hands-On & Homespun at Historic Coldspring Village (Cape May)

Kids tired of magic markers, stickers and glitter glue?  Let them give a go at crafts and trades from the 1800s: blacksmithing, basketweaving, woodworking and more! Step inside the village's 26 restored, historic buildings and interact with historical interpreters to learn and create crafts old-school.  Children get their 'Pastport's stamped for each hands-on activity they complete, and redeem them for a free treat in the Country Store! Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17.    10am-4:30pm.  Admission:    $10./adults; $8./children. Call 609-898-2300 for more information.