Celebrate the 4th of July with lots of area happenings, then come to the library on July 5th for a painted fireworks program….plus many more Summer Reading events.

@ The Bridgewater Library

Please Note:  this blog includes all of July events because there will be no blogs published for the next two weeks. 

All SCLS libraries will be closed July 4th for the holiday.

NEW – Images are hyperlinked – click on an image to register for a program.

Sign up for SUMMER READING CLUBS. You can sign up at the library or online. Adults and Preschoolers keep track of books read (if you want your PreK/K child to do this as well, just mark their age “4 1/2” so they are in that club), school-aged children & teens keep track of minutes read.  All can win prizes so log on or come by and check us out!

Coming Up in July:

Click HERE to register for the above programs.

 

Register for Edison by clicking image above.

Register for Emily by clicking image above.

CClick HERE to register for these programs.

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Around the Community:

TONY AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL TO GRACE STAGE @ CHESTER THEATRE GROUP JULY 1-17

5-Time Tony Award-Winning Play by Rick Elice
Based on the Novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Music by Wayne Barker
Directed by Alan VanAntwerp
Music Direction by Jack Bender
Choreography by Megan Ferentinos

The show is suitable for younger audiences but most enjoyable for ages 10 and up

WHEN: July 1 – 17; Fridays and Saturdays 8 PM; Sundays July 3, 10, 17 at 2:00 PM
WHERE: 54 Grove Street, at the corner of Maple Ave., in Chester, NJ
TICKETS: $25.00; Senior citizens 65+ and students under 18: $23.00
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS
www.chestertheatregroup.org

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER is the most hilarious-filled evening of madcap fun! In this 5-time Tony Award-winning play, a dozen brilliant actors play more than 100 unforgettable characters using their enormous talent, ingenious stagecraft and the limitless possibilities of imagination. This swashbuckling grownup prequel to Peter Pan will have you hooked from the moment you let your imagination take flight.

Fireworks, Historical Celebrations & July 4th Fun!

Somerset County announces July 4th fireworks schedule

Somerset County's most spectacular Fireworks Display is scheduled for Monday, July 4, at North Branch Park in Bridgewater. (courtesy photo) (Loren Fisher/www.ElfMultimedia.c)

Somerset County Park Commission invites all to attend the annual July 4th Fireworks Display to be held on July 4 at 9:30 p.m.at North Branch Park on Milltown Road in Bridgewater.

This year the event is sponsored by the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders which provided the funds for the magnificent pyrotechnic display.
Because of budget constraints, this event is a fireworks display only. Food will be available for purchase, and park visitors should bring lawn chairs or blankets while they enjoy time in the park before the Independence Day fireworks begin. Picnic baskets are also allowed, but alcohol is prohibited.
North Branch Park gates will open at 6 p.m. to allow vehicles to enter the park, and the fireworks display will be held at 9:30 p.m. Visitors should plan to arrive early. Milltown Road will be closed at approximately 9 p.m. Heavy car and foot traffic is expected. Also, as always, Milltown Road remains closed at the conclusion of the fireworks for up to one hour while local neighborhood pedestrians walk from the park. Bridgewater Police will be on hand to assist park staff with traffic flow.
For information on this and all Park Commission programs and activities log onto www.somersetcountyparks.org.

SOMERSET COUNTY 

• Bridgewater's North Branch Park hosts its Independence Day Family Festival at 6 p.m. on July 4. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. There will be food and a Revolutionary War encampment; somersetcountyparks.org

• The Somerset County Patriots will have fireworks at games at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater on July 2, 3, 7 and 9; somersetpatriots.com

• Franklin Township's Independence Day Celebration at the municipal complex begins at 6 p.m. July 1. Fireworks are at 9:15 p.m.; franklintwpnj.org

• Hillsborough's Independence Day Celebration starts at 5 p.m. June 25 at Auten Road Intermediate School, with food, music and games. Fireworks go off at 9 p.m.; hillsborough-nj.org

• Montgomery Township's Fireworks Spectacular is 9 p.m. June 30 at Montgomery High School in Skillman; montgomeryfireworks.org

• North Plainfield's Fourth of July programming includes a parade at 10 a.m. on July 4 that begins at Wilson Avenue and a concert with fireworks at West End School Field at 7 p.m. on July 9, rain date July 16; northplainfield.org

New Brunswick Independence Day Celebration

Sunday, July 3, 2016: 5:00 PM 10:00 PM
Watch a Historical re-enactment of Washington’s famous salute to the American Army with muskets and cannons! Live Music Begins at 6:30 P.M.  Fireworks at 9:10 P.M.

Want more?   THE BEST CENTRAL JERSEY FIREWORKS or STATEWIDE CELEBRATIONS

Best of Somerset County:

1. Independence Day Family Festival,  North Branch Park
2. Independence Day Celebration, Jacobus Vanderveer House
3. Declaration of Independence Reading, Camp Middlebrook
4. Old Fashioned Family Picnic, The Van Horne House
5. Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks Spectacular, Montgomery High School
6. Somerset Patriots Star Spangled Weekend, TD Bank Ballpark
7. 63rd Army Band Concert, Fellowship Deaconry
8. Community Garden Snoop Tour, Duke Farms
9. Villagers Senior Performing Arts Festival, Villagers Theatre
10. Growler Fill Time, Flounder Brewing Co.

Check out our full calendar of events!

Starlit Cinema in Somerville this Summer

When it comes to enjoying a night at the movies, trust us, you don’t have to settle for confines of four walls, sticky floors and paying way too much money for a small popcorn! This Downtown Somerville Alliance’s outdoor event transforms Division Street Plaza into “the living room of Central Jersey” with a series of movies under the stars. For six Thursdays this summer, the movie series is expected to attract over 3,000 attendees to Downtown Somerville offering everything from classics to comedies to family friendly movies. Films are shown on a giant outdoor screen with a state-of-the-art sound system so the movie is bright and clear and there is not a bad seat to be found! Downtowners are invited to enjoy dinner before the show or bring a blanket, lawn chair and your own picnic baskets or take out!

Date(s): Thursdays, July 14th through August 18th
Time(s): 8:30 pm
Location(s): Division Street Plaza

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ENJOY JULY 4TH AS THE FOUNDING FATHERS WOULD HAVE WANTED IT!

Revolutionary Times Weekend
WHEN: July 2 to July 4
WHERE: various venues
ADMISSION: FREE

This year, in addition to celebrating the country’s independence, the event will also salute the 100^th anniversary of the National Park Service and the 200^th anniversary of the Trustees of the Morristown Green. The schedule of events spans a period during which Morristown National Historical Park will be free and open to the public in honor of their Centennial and the July 4^th holiday.

On Saturday, July 2nd, the Hanover Township Landmark Commission kicks off the weekend with a free tour of its 1718 Burying Yard located off of Route 10 East in Whippany. This one-hour tour will highlight people who first settled Morris County and are buried in the cemetery. Morristown National Historical Park will be free and open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visitors will be able to view a special National Park centennial exhibit, as well as the museum and Ford Mansion at the Morristown unit of the park.

On Sunday, July 3rd, Morristown National Historical Park will host a Revolutionary War encampment at the Ford Mansion. Costumed reenactors will be on hand demonstrating a soldier’s life in the Continental Army. The park will be free and open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.the park welcomes the United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps for a lawn concert. Bring blankets and chairs. Rain location will be on-site in the Washington’s Headquarters Museum auditorium.

The Morris County Park Commission, the Morris County Tourism Bureau and The Town of Morristown are pleased to present a fireworks display, also free to the public, on Sunday, July 3rd. Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m. at Central Park of Morris County, off West Hanover Avenue in Morris Plains-Parsippany. Parking is limited and early arrival and carpooling is recommended. Central Park of Morris County will be open for picnicking beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Monday, July 4th, events will begin at the Ford Mansion where the Continental Army reenactors will march to the Morristown Green at 11 a.m. The public is invited to fall in and march with them. At the Morristown Green there will be family activities beginning at noon. Eric Olsen and Tom Winslow of Morristown National Historical Park’s ranger corps will provide the colorful, annual Reading of the Declaration of Independence, a long-standing Morris County tradition, at 12:30 p.m. Following the reading there will be a musket salute and free guided tours of the Presbyterian Church of Morristown’s church and Colonial-era graveyard. This is a rain or shine event. In case of rain the event will be held indoors at the Presbyterian Church, 57 East Park Place, Morristown.

For more information, contact the Morris County Tourism Bureau at www.morristourism.org or call 973-631-5151.

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Free Summer Movies

Mayo Art Morristown has a FREE family-friendly summer movie series! Seating is general admission, and advance seats may be reserved now at MayoArts.org. 

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. June 29, 2016 This Week.. Explore The Farm Wagon Rides Board the open-air wagon for a leisurely ride around the historic farm, Fosterfields Living Historical Farm. Visit the farm animals, including the horses, pigs, sheep, chickens and of course, cows!  You can see the farmers working in the fields and taking care of the farm animals. Make a special Independence Day craft!  Click here for more information. Sunrise Lake: Swimming & Boating Open to the Public Enjoy swimming, beach volleyball, beachside activities, and sliding on the Zoom Floom, an inflatable slide. For an extra fee, explore the pristine and scenic Sunrise Lake on a paddle boat, or jump and climb across the Wibit, an inflatable water obstacle course! Click here for more information.     4th of July Weekend:  Boating at Silas Condict County Park Take advantage of this holiday-only event to boat at Silas Condict County Park. On Saturday July 2 through Monday, July 4, you can paddle across the seven-acre lake from 11 am to 5:30 pm. Plan to bring a picnic, too. For more info, please email recreation@morrisparks.net orclick here. Look What's Coming... Sail, Sail Your Boat At Cooper Gristmill in Chester Township, decorate boats and sail them in the tailrace on Saturday July 9, from 1 to 3 pm. A great event for children. Click here for more information.     Carriage House Craft: Weaving The Factory Building at Historic Speedwell was once intended to house looms. Make a project on the mini loom to take home. While there, visit the museum and see where the telegraph was first publicity demonstrated. Click here for more information. Matilda’s Ice Cream Social Ice cream, music, special games, and crafts take place on the Great Lawn of The Frelinghuysen Arboretum to celebrate the life of its former owner, Matilda Frelinghuysen. Enjoy all this summer-time fun with the background of a barbershop quartet, Gimme Four! Click here for more information.   Choose Your Dates! Family Photo Scavenger Hunt During a special hands-on guided tour, learn about the domestic help at the Foster home. Help the maid with some household chores and assist in the prep of historic foods. Visit all the farm animals, too! Click here for more information. Facilities & Parks | Golf | Mennen | Reservations | Calendar

 

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Looking for some great places to go now that school is out?  Check out the ideas in our Useful Links for Families (on the right side of the page).  Here’s a summer favorite:

FREE OR INEXPENSIVE PLACES FOR FAMILY FUN IN AND AROUND NEW JERSEY has 50+ places to go in and near our state (with a great interactive map to find them!)

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KIDS ARE FREE AT THE SHAKESPEARE THEATRE OF NEW JERSEY PERFORMANCE OF “THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (abridged)(revised)” AT THE OUTDOOR STAGE

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FREE THEATER BY TRILOGY REP IN BASKING RIDGE PARK THIS SUMMER

You may not be able to get tickets to HAMILTON, but you can see Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first musical this July for FREE:

Ready…Set…Read… Summer Fun Abounds at the Bridgewater Library.

@ The Bridgewater Library

Sign up for SUMMER READING CLUBS. You can sign up at the library or online. Adults and Preschoolers keep track of books read (if you want your PreK/K child to do this as well, just mark their age “4 1/2” so they are in that club), school-aged children & teens keep track of minutes read.  All can win prizes so log on or come by and check us out!

SCLSNJ is out on the town Friday, June 24! Visit our table on from 5-8 p.m. on Division St. in Somerville during Cruise Night to play video games, listen to story times, sign up for the summer reading club and have a chance to win prizes. Learn more.

Click HERE to register for these programs.

TWEENS & TEENS:

Coming Up in July:

Click HERE to register for these programs.

Around the Community:

Looking for some great places to go now that school is out?  Check out the ideas in our Useful Links for Families (on the right side of the page).  Here’s a summer favorite:

FREE OR INEXPENSIVE PLACES FOR FAMILY FUN IN AND AROUND NEW JERSEY has 50+ places to go in and near our state (with a great interactive map to find them!)  Here’s a sampling:

1. Howell Living History Farm.

Howell Living History Farm is always a wonderful place to visit. Located in Lambertville NJ, it is fairly easy to get to.  We have attended some classes and festivities there, as well as just came to enjoy the farm when no one is there.  It is free to come, the classes do have a small fee. I highly recommend it as a day out with kids. To read more about our experience click HERE, and to see the classes, address and directions go to their website HERE.

2.  Doylestown Castle

Doylestown Castel is located just outside of NJ, in Doylestown, PA.  Why is it worth a visit?  Well, simply because it’s amazing.  The castle is a huge wooden castle playground.  The pictures don’t do it justice, you really have to be there to believe how big it is.  Even the most jaded playground goers will be amazed.  Click HERE to read more about our trip, and HERE for the Doylestown website section about the castle.

3. Ponderosa Park Spray Ground

Located on Cooper Road in Scotch Plains, NJ.  It is a spray ground.  There is a playground, and a grass are for parents to sit on while the kids splash.  Make sure to wear water shoes, as the rubber gets hot in the summer.  There is hardly any shade there as well, so mind the sun, bring a hat and sunscreen.  It is a great place to spend the afternoon.  The best part is that the spray ground is free.  To read more about our visit there, click HERE.

4. Environmental Education Center

Located in Basking Ridge, NJ, Environmental Education Center offers great hiking trails, an education center with some interesting displays.  What I especially liked about this place is the hiking trails were even, and you can make the hike as long or as short as you like, which is a big deal when the littlest kids are on board.  They also offer some amazing low cost classes.  Environmental Education Center is actually located in Basking Ridge, NJ on Lord Stirling Road around the corner from Lord Stirling Stables. It lies on the edge of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge which includes miles of hiking trails and wildlife observation.  Take a look at our visit HERE, and their website with directions HERE.  The next place is right down the road from the Basking Ridge Environmental Education Center.

5.  The Great Swamp and Raptor Trust

The Basking Ridge Environmental Education Center, Raptor Trust and The Great Swamp each had their own listing in the last year’s list.  However, they are all down the road from each other.  The Great Swamp is a national wildlife refuge and covers a large area, and is a great place to get out and see some amazing wildlife. Before heading out there make sure to see their website HERE for visitor information.

Raptor Trust was it’s own listing, but I decided to combine it together with the Great Swamp, they just fit so well together.  You could visit Raptor Trust on the same day as the Environmental Center or Great Swamp.  It is a bird rehabilitation center located in Central New Jersey.  They are open to public seven days a week, and while the admission is free, a small donation is encouraged. We have been there several times, but it was quite a few years ago.  It has always been an interesting experience.  You can find out more about them, including hours and directions HERE.

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KIDS ARE FREE AT THE SHAKESPEARE THEATRE OF NEW JERSEY PERFORMANCE OF “THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (abridged)(revised)” AT THE OUTDOOR STAGE

WHEN: beginning on June 22nd and continuing through July 31s; Tuesdays through Sundays at 8:00 pm, with a special twilight performance on Sundays at 4:30 pm
WHERE: The Greek amphitheatre on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth, is conveniently located at 2 Convent Road, off Madison Avenue (Rt. 124) in Morris Township, just minutes from Routes 287, 78, and 10. TICKETS: call the box office at 973.408.5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org online. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for group discounts.

Pack a picnic, pack up the family, and enjoy Shakespeare under the stars!

Enjoy Shakespeare under the stars at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Outdoor Stage production of The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare (abridged)(revised).

Back by popular demand, three wild and crazy actors will take you on an irreverent, madcap romp through Shakespeare’s entire canon. Featuring some new surprises since our last production in 2008, this is a terrific show to introduce Shakespeare to young people, and a hilarious spoof that appeals to audiences of all ages — from Bardophiles to Bardophobes! As always, picnicking under the stars with family and friends makes for a delightful evening where art, nature, and the ancient tradition of outdoor theatre all come together! 

This year, the Theatre is excited to announce young people 18 and under go for free thanks to generous support from the National Endowment for the Arts.  Take a virtual tour! The Google Tour program is made possible in part by support from Kessler Foundation, in partnership with the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.

Pay-What-You-Can Performance:   The first preview performance on Wednesday, June 22, at 8:00 p.m., offers an opportunity for reduced-price tickets, as an incentive to first-time theatergoers and/or those who would otherwise not be able to afford a night at the theatre -- pay what you are able for that evening’s 8:00 p.m. preview performance. Offer is subject to availability. Call the Box Office at 973-408-5600 for details.

The Outdoor Stage is also generously supported by Bank of America. A partner of The Outdoor Stage since 2004, their committed and generous support has helped make The Shakespeare Theatre’s Outdoor Stage a hallmark of the summer season in the region. Bank of America customers can obtain tickets for the Outdoor Stage at the great price of $25 by using code “BOFA” for online sales and/or with the presentation of their bank cards at the box office. For tickets or more information, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

Nestled into the hillside on the campus of the College of Saint Elizabeth, this stone and grass amphitheatre has been a popular performance space since its creation in 1932. Surrounded by a large lawn, the amphitheatre is ideal for picnicking before the show. Audience members may bring their own food and beverages, or purchase snacks and soft drinks on-site. Patrons are encouraged to bring either a low-backed beach chair or picnic blanket to sit on. Higher-backed beach chairs are allowed in the top rows of the theatre. Seating at The Outdoor Stage is general admission.

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CAMP OUT OVERNIGHT @ SUNRISE LAKE BEACH: JUNE 24

www.morrisparks.net

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REGISTER TODAY FOR “FRANTIC FUN RUN” ON JUNE 28

morrisparks.net

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