Everyone wants to know more about drones these days! If you count yourself curious about drones and other flying objects, check out Area 57 and WarrenUAS on May 3, 2025.
Area 57 activities will be happening at the Washington Campus of Warren Community College, and the adjacent Warren Tech School, at 475 Route 57 in Washington, New Jersey,
Area 57 will showcase the College’s nationally acclaimed Unmanned Systems Program, WarrenUAS, which teaches piloting, design and development, and the maintenance and repair of drones, as well as AI and Robotics. Area 57 focuses on careers, education and fun – an important combination in life. The event will include other aviation and types of tech, like hot air balloons, combat robot bouts and FRC robots, showcased at both the College and Warren Tech.
In 2017, Warren began to build WarrenUAS which today is nationally acclaimed and recognized by industry leaders and the FAA as one of the best in the country. Unmanned Systems technology is one of the fastest-growing sectors in today’s career market with much of the industry currently understaffed in qualified professionals. Meet SPOT the robot “Dog” and some of the staff at WarrenUAS. They will have select drones on display and will be on hand to answer questions.
Garden State Combat Robot League (GSCRL.org) invites you to watch or participate in the Combat Robot Wreckage. The competition features 1 & 3 lb. Beetleweights, Plastic Ants, and Antweights battling it out.
Several FRC (First Robotics Competition) robots will be on display along with their teams. Learn all about participating from Team 56 from Bound Brook and the Easton RoboRovers.
Hot air balloon activities include a presentation on How A Balloon Works. Get hands-on experience handling a balloon, with RE/MAX of NJ. Walk inside an actual hot air balloon, that will be cold inflated with fans. Special shape hot air balloon, Fred G Monster, will also invade the event. Late in the day, take a tethered balloon ride and get an arial view of the festivities, as weather allows. ($25 adult, $15 youth up to 12 years of age.)
Stop by Fascination Place children’s activity areas for some free STEM related fun and games. Check out the 24 and More area focused on building up your math skills. Build a rocket at the Moon Base: Launch Pad 57 tent. There will be different levels for different age groups.. Do a scavenger hunt and crack the secret message.
Time travel with Autocades mobile arcade and their space and science-fiction themed classics. Blast space bugs in Galaga, stop the alien invasion in Defender, avoid the assault in Asteroids, and take down the Death Star on the Atari Star Wars space shooter with its iconic vector graphics and learn the ways of the Jedi on the Star Wars video pinball machine. ($10 wristband to play, $20 family pack of parents and one child.)
The event is free for students, Veterans, and Seniors, and $5 donation for other adults. Tickets may be reserved or purchased online. Please have appropriate ID with you at check in. Food will be available for purchase.
To keep up to date on the full schedule of events, check Flying Festivals of Warren County. For more information on the event call or text organizer, Giulia Grotenhuis, at 908-283-0721, or via email.
Area 57 is organized by Flying Festivals of Warren County, in cooperation with the Warren Community College Foundation. Supported in part by a grant from the NJ Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism (VisitNJ.org).
Local roots!
Millbrook Village, part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, is a re-created community of the 1800s where aspects of pioneer life are exhibited and occasionally demonstrated by skilled and dedicated docents throughout the village
A fine art gallery like no other! Unique, handmade gifts and cards as well as yoga, meditation, and continued learning lectures. Come in Saturdays for all-day open mic and Sundays to try unique nootropic chocolate or mushroom coffee. Browse the $5 books in the Believe Book Nook while you nibble and sip.
The 8,461 acre park includes the 2500-acre Deer Lake Park, Waterloo Village, mountain bike and horseback trails.
The Centenary Stage Company produces professional equity theatre and also a wide variety of top-flight musical and dance events throughout the year.
