This Week in the New Jersey Skylands

September 23-30

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, as Autumn arrives with a schedule of intriguing programs. The list is long this weekend so get an early start! There is much more listed on our calendar for this and coming autumn weekends.

Dances From The Garden

On Friday, September 25, the Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College will present performances by four different New Jersey dance companies: Freespace Dance, Portables, Roxey Ballet, Randy James Dance Works and Nimbus Dance Works. 8pm. $20/ 25. Rt. 28 and Lamington Road, North Branch (map). Click or call 908/725-3420.

Old and on the way

On Saturday, Sept. 26, the Warren County Antiques Show offers a day of hunting for quality antiques at the scenic and convenient county Farmers' Fairgrounds on Route 519 in Harmony Twp. (map). The scope of the sale is impressive, from high-end period antiques to country collectibles. Dealers are located indoors and outdoors and the site, situated on sixty picturesque acres, offers ample parking and easy access from Routes 78, 80, 57 and 46. The day includes live music, fresh produce and fall flowers from Warren County farmers, an antique tractor and farm equipment display, and delicious food for sale from the Harmony Lions Club. 10am - 5pm. Warren County Farmers Fairgrounds. Admission is $6 per person. Click, or call 908-343-5873 for more information.

Craft lovers will also want to make time for the Annual Peters Valley Craft Fair, Saturday and Sunday at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta. Click or call 973/948-5200

Ride 'em

Shawnee Mountain will host a Rodeo and Chili Cookoff on Saturday and Sunday (9/26-27). Pro cowboys compete in five events including saddle bronc riding, bull riding, bareback bronc riding, calf roping and bull dogging. Come early and sample a variety of chilis from mild to hot and everywhere in between at the Chili Cook-Off from 11:30am - 1:30pm. Rodeo begins at 2pm. $15, $10 12 and under. I 80, Exit 309, Shawnee-on-Delaware, PA. 570/421-7231.

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

For rock fans it’s the annual Franklin-Sterling Hill Mineral and Gem Show on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26-27. 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 (map). For more info click or call 973-209-7212.
If you’ve got time, visit the Franklin Mineral Museum and the Sterling Hill Mining Museum. You’ll be amazed.

On Saturday (9/26) the Pequest Hatchery on Route 46 in Oxford will host the Annual Wildlife Heritage Festival. Celebrate our national hunting and fishing heritage as you visit with conservation groups, wildlife artists, historical reenactors and more. 908-637-4125 .

On Sunday (9/27), Fungus Fest comes to the Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morristown. Guided mushroom walks, cooking demonstrations, everything you ever wanted to know… NJ Mycological Association, 908-362-7109.

Also on Sunday, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge Day will feature guided hikes, canoeing, archery, children's games, live animals, hawk release, and exhibits on wildlife, astronomy, photography, wild edibles and more. 1 - 5pm. Refuge Headquarters 1547 County Route 565 in Vernon (map), 973/702-7266. Read more about the refuge...

History Lessons

Glenwood Living History Weekend will commence on Friday, September 25. Reenactments of Civil War skirmishes are scheduled for Saturday at 3pm and Sunday at 1pm. And a memorial service at Glenwood Cemetery is scheduled for Saturday at 1pm. Local participants include Pochuck Valley Farms (973/764-4732) and Glenwood Mill Bed and Breakfast (973-764-8660). Map

Old Mt. Tabor

On Saturday, 9/26, house tours, period costumes, musical entertainment and a self-guided walking tour that includes historic public buildings, Victorian cottages, and special gardens will make a special Day in Old Mt. Tabor. Established in 1869 as a Methodist summer camp meeting ground, Mt. Tabor retains the elegance of a 19th century community tucked between busy Route 10 and Interstate Route 80 in Morris County (map). 11am - 4pm. $20. For more information, contact the Mount Tabor Historical Society; 973/586-1564

And on Sunday, 9/27, the annual John Basilone Parade honors the World War II Marine hero. The parade runs from LaGrange St to Somerset Street in the Boro of Raritan and begins at 1pm, ; 908/429-8868.

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Northwest New Jersey and destinations just beyond those borders, in Pennsylvania and New York, are equally intriguing and convenient offer colorful ways to get out and enjoy the pleasures of the season. Keep an eye on our calendar for great things to do all the time! And we've got a crop of new stories to help you on your way.

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