This is a big weekend marking lots of momentous occasions. Make sure you celebrate the special father figure in your life, either with great activities or even better food! There are still many celebrations of Pride this month. And don’t forget to delve into the history of Black culture on Juneteenth. There are plenty of food and beer festivals, a 19th Century Base Ball (yes, Base Ball) game, and even an ’80s social for your entertainment pleasure!
ALL WEEKEND
Native American Heritage Celebration & Pow Wow
Middlesex County Fairgrounds, East Brunswick
Saturday – Sunday
Introduce your children to Native American culture. The two-day event features a full contest Pow Wow attracting more than 500 Native American artists, educators, singers, dancers and performing groups from across the Americas. There will be over 40 artist booths selling crafts, jewelry, food and more. There will be a tipi raising.
Battle of Monmouth
Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Manalapan
Saturday – Sunday
Revolutionary War re-enactors will commemorate the anniversary of the battle. Visit their encampments, pass pacing sentries and see enlisted men cleaning their weapons or idling away their time gambling. Watch the women of the army cook, mend and launder. See soldiers drill or artillerists fire their cannon.
Youth Sports Festival
North Brunswick
Friday – Sunday
Entertainment includes pig racing, motorcycle show, magic show, petting zoo, laser light show, fireworks, food vendors and live music.
FRIDAY
Somerville Elks Flag Day Event
Downtown Somerville
This free, fun family event includes a naturalization ceremony for new Somerset County U.S. residents, flag ceremonies, fire and rescue truck displays, historical reenactment demonstrations, a scavenger hunt, cornhole and bean toss tournaments, art displays from local artists and artisans, and a country music concert performed by fiddling maestros, the E-Boro Bandits.
SATURDAY
Taco Palooza
Hopatcong Hilltop Field, Hopatcong
Support Hopatcong PBA 149, Special Olympics and Hopatcong Smile with a festival celebrating all things taco: beer, sangria, margaritas, vendors and live music. The Run to the Truck 5K takes place before the festival and includes admission to Taco Palooza.
Red Bank Classic 5K
Red Bank
Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are invited back for the 3.1-mile trek through Red Bank, and area residents are encouraged to cheer them on and gather afterward for a festive block party on Monmouth Street, in the heart of the downtown.
The Ridge, Newton
Join the founders of Eclectic Well-Being for a moderately challenging hike with meditation and mindfulness practices. Overlook the Delaware Water Gap as you hike a total of about six miles toward Crater Lake. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the lake.
Historic Allaire Village, Wall Township
Join the crowd for 1864 Base Ball (two words), as the Monmouth Furnace takes on the New York Mutuals on the field. Games will feature the rules, uniforms, equipment and customs of 1864.
Craft Beer Fest
North Bridge Street between High Street and Main Street, Downtown Somerville
Tapastre and Project PUB bring back the annual summer beer festival featuring a lineup of craft beers, meads, ciders, seltzers and sangria. There will be live music all day from the JJ Lynch Band and The Big Fuss. Enjoy empanadas, artisan ice cream, woodfired pizza, fresh made-to-order donuts and more. Try your hand at life-sized games of beer pong, Connect 4 and corn hole.
Summer Solstice Music Festival
Ross Farm, Basking Ridge
Music in the Somerset Hills and The Ross Farm present: Summer Solstice Music Festival, featuring a variety of musical offerings spanning multiple genres and traditions. The mainstage event will be a performance of Carl Orff’s masterpiece “Carmina Burana,” plus Americana and ’60s rock from Just Married and Memphis soul from Nick Ryan and the Mess. Throughout the day there will be family activities, food trucks and vendors, and featured art by local artists.
Manville-Hillsborough Food Truck and Music Fest
1515 Brooks Blvd., Manville
Bring your appetite, lawn chairs, blankets and any four-legged family members. Hosted by Manville-Hillsborough Elks Lodge 2119 to benefit St. Ann’s Classical Academy.
’80s Social
Brunswick Square Mall, 755 Route 18, East Brunswick
Travel decades back to enjoy games, snacks, karaoke, memorabilia, décor, a Michael Jackson impersonator and a deejay all from the 1980s.
Six Flags Slam Fest
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson
Northeast Wrestling presents Six Flags Slam Fest, which will feature superstars such as Malakai Black, Sammy Guevara, Tay Conti, Mick Foley, NZO, Erick Rowan, Mickie James, Matt Taven, Eddie Kingston and more. There will be meet-and-greet autograph sessions with the stars from 1:30-4:30 p.m., and a full-card wrestling event will follow at 5 p.m., free with theme park admission. Ringside seats are available for an upcharge.
“There & Back: The Journey to Vietnam and Home”
New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Holmdel
Rare in-flight photos, uniforms and ephemera provide a seldom-seen look at the bond between soldiers and the flight attendants who served with Pan American World Airways (Pan Am), Trans World Airlines (TWA), and United during the Vietnam War. The exhibition also features a berthing compartment salvaged from the United States Naval Ship, General Nelson M. Walker; a troopship left untouched since the late sixties. Objects on display include lost personal items and canvas bunks covered with art and graffiti. The exhibit opens on June 18 and runs through Nov. 6.
“A British Musical Miscellany”
Scheide Hall, Princeton
“A British Musical Miscellany” is a special British music program featuring organist Kerry Heiman playing on the Fritts’ Opus 21 pipe organ in Gambrell Room of Scheide Hall. He will be accompanied by John Burkhalter III on the recorder, and tenor Bradley King. They will be presenting works by Henry Purcell, John Blow, and G. F. Handel.
Summer Heat
American Legion Post 133, Woodbury
Eight wrestling matches will keep you entertained from start to finish. Come alone, bring a friend or come out with the family – there will be something for everyone as Atlantic All-Star Wrestling presents Summer Heat.
Frank Thomas Memorial Fluke Tournament
Captains Cove Marina, Washington Avenue, Highlands
Children and adults can join in this fishing tournament, which will offer prizes, a T-shirt, and a post weigh in party featuring a BBQ, pig roast, beer and soft drinks.
SUNDAY
Kolor Run 5K
Community Park, 2051 Route 130, North Brunswick
The Rotary Club of Plainsboro – North and South Brunswick will support the Rotary Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund for the people of Ukraine through this fun, family-friendly, colorful 5K run!
ONGOING
Broadway at Westfield Garden State Plaza
Paramus
Westfield Garden State Plaza is wrapping up its free 15-week series on Saturdays through June 25 that features performances from hit Broadway shows for children in partnership with Bergen Performing Arts Center. Come out and see memorable scenes and songs from your favorite Broadway shows and modern movies — this weekend it’s “Encanto,” followed by “Annie” on June 25.
Sunset Sips & Sounds
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Fridays (now through September 9)
Meet in this historic apple orchard for Terhune wine, music, light bites and friend-filled evenings every Friday night at Terhune Orchards Vineyard and Winery. It’s a great way to unwind after the week, meet friends, bring your family and enjoy the sunset on the farm.
Cruise Nights
Downtown Somerville
Friday Night Cruise Nights return to Downtown Somerville. Through Labor Day weekend, the coolest classic cars around line up along Main Street every Friday.
Flemington Car Shows
Main Street, Flemington
Select Saturdays (through Aug. 20)
Historic Flemington’s Main Street will be bustling with hot cars, live music, kids’ activities, delicious food and summer fun on select Saturday nights when Flemington Car Shows come to town all summer long.
Winery Weekend Music Series
Terhune Orchards., Princeton
Saturday – Sunday
Grab a glass of one of Terhune’s award-winning wines, sit back, relax and enjoy live music from local artists each week. Styles range from Jazz and Blues to Folk and Rock. Music is from 1 pm-4 pm.
Sunday Farmers Market
Garden State Plaza, Westfield; in the parking lot between Macy’s and Route 17
Sundays (now through Nov. 20)
Garden State Plaza is the site of weekly Sunday farmers markets. Expect food vendors, food trucks, music, activities for kids and a car show from 9 am-2pm.
Don’t forget to check out an outdoor summer concert or movies under the stars.
Plus, there is still time to head out for some fresh strawberries or lavender before the pick-your-own seasons end. Peach picking is right around the corner!