September 25 - October 2

As the sun heads south across the equator, Northwest New Jersey will prove itself a popular stage for arts, crafts, natural and historical celebrations all season, and Autumn arrives with a list of intriguing programs. The list is long this weekend so get an early start!

• 1. Dane Deliverance
• 2. Comfort Creatures
• 3. Antique Fair
• 4. Natural Lovers
• 5. Craft Conventions
• 6. Civic Pride

Great Dane Rescue

On Thursday, October 2, the major annual fundraiser takes place for the NJ Chapter Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League. A Tricky Tray offers a huge range of prizes: iPods, GPS, JVC home entertainment system, 37 flat-screen TV, Nintendo Wii System, jewelry, clothing, gift certificates and more. But best of all you'll be helping to find homes for Great Dane dogs and mixes who have been given up, abandoned or abused. 6pm - 10pm. $40. The Bethwood, 38 Lackawanna Avenue in Totowa. Click or call 973/334-1628

The size of apricots, alpacas' enormous eyes peer out from under bushy mops of hair.

Comfort Creatures

On Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27 and 28, celebrate National Alpaca Weekend and meet the long-necked shaggies at Humdinger Alpaca Farm in Finesville. Learn about training, care and feeding of alpacas and uses for alpaca fiber. Shop for alpaca yarn, fleece and clothing in the farm store. Enjoy free refreshments and mountain views in the beautiful lower Musconetcong River Valley. 11am - 4pm. 239 Route 627, Finesville. Click or call 908/995-7313.

Collectible Fanfare

Now in its third year, the Warren County Antiques Fair on Saturday, Sept. 27 offers a day of hunting for quality antiques at the scenic and convenient county Farmers' Fairgrounds on Route 519 in Harmony Twp., NJ. The event runs from 9 to 5, rain or shine. Also featured is conservator Michael Hartnett of Stanhope, showing how he can repair your broken antiques. Plentiful free parking, live music by jazz guitarist Walt Bibinger and Celtic folk artist Jennifer Johnson, and great food by the Harmony Township Lions Club complete the day. Admission is $6 per person. Click, email, or call 908-459-4122 for more information.

For natural lovers, there are several events worth noting this weekend.

The fluorescent minerals, second- to-none in the world, are one of the feature attractions in the Franklin Mineral Museum. The sphere made of willemite (green) and Calcite (red) is the largest such sphere in the world at 12" in diameter.

For rock fans it’s the ANNUAL FRANKLIN-STERLING HILL MINERAL AND GEM SHOW on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27-28. Dealers, gems, jewelry, minerals, fossils, stone carvings, fluorescent mineral exhibits, mineral collecting, museum tours and the traditional swap/sell. Franklin School, Washington Ave. in Franklin. For more info click or call 973/827-3481
If you’ve got time, visit the Franklin Mineral Museum and the Sterling Hill Mining Museum. You’ll be amazed.

On Sunday (9/28) the Pequest Hatchery on Route 46 in Oxford will host the WILDLIFE HERITAGE FESTIVAL; 908/637-4125 .

Also on Sunday, FUNGUS FEST at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morristown. Guided mushroom walks, cooking demonstrations, everything you ever wanted to know… NJ Mycological Association, 908/852-7564.

And can you cram more crafts into a 48 hour period?

Saturday, 9/27: AUTUMN CRAFTS IN THE PARK. Over 50 vendors with handmade crafts, gifts, candles, jewelry and more! 10am - 4pm. Shappell Park, South Main Street, Phillipsburg. Click or call 908/454-5500 x338

Peters Valley Crafts Festival

Saturday & Sunday, 9/27-28: PETERS VALLEY CRAFT FAIR AND BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL. Over 170 contemporary and traditional craftspeople sell their work in clay, jewelry, woodworking, fiber, leather, basketry, glass and metal. Plus a Bluegrass Festival! $7/ under 12 free. Sussex County Fair Grounds, Augusta. Click or call 973/948-5200.

Saturday & Sunday, 9/27-28: BLOOMSBURY FINE ART AND FINE CRAFT FESTIVAL. Juried artists and crafters will display and sell their works in historical village. Free. Main Street. 908/479-6948.

Sunday, 9/28; ART ACROSS THE RIVER, ANNUAL KNOWLTON TOWNSHIP HISTORIC TOUR. Displays, vendors, crafters, and folk art highlight this annual festival cooperatively hosted by Knowlton Twp, NJ and Portland, PA. The historic sites tour includes open houses at the Ramsayburg Tavern Historic Site and at The Garden State Heirloom Seed Society, headquartered in an early historic farmhouse adjacent to Delaware Lake. Free.. Walking bridge on the Delaware, Columbia. 908/496-8020.

Local towns strut their stuff.

Saturday, 9/27: A DAY IN OLD MT. TABOR. House tours, period costumes, musical entertainment and a self-guided walking tour includes historic public buildings, Victorian cottages, and special gardens. 11am - 4pm. $20. Simpson Ave., near the Tabernacle, Mount Tabor. 973/586-1564

Saturday, 9/27: STILLWATER FALL FESTIVAL. Vendors, food, bobbing for apples, hay mazes, games, hayrides , horse-drawn carriage rides, antiques and appraisals, pumpkins, face painting, pony rides. 11 - 5. 973/383-2977

John Basilone monument in the Borough
of Raritan. Photo courtesy Bruce Doorly

And on Sunday, 9/28, Raritan honors the World War II Marine hero, John Basilone with the annual JOHN BASILONE PARADE. 1 - 3pm. Boro of Raritan, LaGrange St to Somerset Street. Click or call 908/429-8868

Also on Sunday: FALL FESTIVAL ON THE GREEN. Entertainment, rides, food, and exhibits of historic, recreational and educational aspects of life in Morristown. Local restaurants will offer selections from around the world. 973/455-1133

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This fall, think Skylands! Northwest New Jersey and destinations just beyond those borders, in Pennsylvania and New York, are equally intriguing and convenient offer brilliant ways to get out and enjoy the pleasures of the season. It's Primetime! Keep an eye on our calendar for great things to do all the time!

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