All’s Fair

By Jennifer Amato in New Jersey

It’s festivals season! From food fests to state fairs and beyond, our guide lists the best of the best to check out this summer.

Mega Fests

State Fair Meadowlands

June 22 - July 9

MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford

There will be 18 days of fun packed with more than 100 rides, dozens of games, a kiddie land for the little ones and classic festival foods (corn dogs and fried Oreos top the list!). Check out the free shows like the racing pigs, hypnotist Steve Bayner and Jurassic Kingdom. Look for the Big Bee Robot and magician Artie Miller as they stroll around the festival grounds. Fireworks are planned for July 3 and 4. njfair.com

New Jersey Lottery Festival Of Ballooning

July 28-30

Solberg Airport, Whitehouse Station

For the past 40 years kids and adults have marveled at the giant hot air balloons filling up the sky. The newest ones include a Lucky Pig, bumblebees that hold hands and kiss, and Darth Vader and Yoda. If you’re daring, take a balloon ride yourself! This year’s musical acts include Laurie Berkner, Everclear, Lit, KC and The Sunshine Band, and Fitz and the Tantrums. balloonfestival.com

New Jersey State Fair

Aug. 4-12

Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta

This is the place where farm meets fun! The fairgrounds will be packed with rides, games, attractions, vendors, food, music and farm animals to celebrate all things Jersey. Aside from the typical carnival events, the kids will love the horse show, performing arts tent, six barns of animals, hot dog pig race and dog shows. sussexcountyfairgrounds.org

Beach Festivals

OCEANFEST

July 4

Long Branch

This is considered one of the biggest Independence Day celebrations in New Jersey. You can stroll along the boardwalk, watch dancers perform, listen to musicians, watch clowns entertain the kids, shop from vendors and eat at different restaurants. You may bump into a costumed character, or walk along the beach to check out the sand sculptures. The fireworks display at night is a must-see. oceanfestnj.com

SUMMERFEST

Tuesdays, July 6-27

Windward Beach Park, Brick Twp.

Each week a different band will perform, starting with Super Trans Am and finishing with Garden State Radio. There is a fireworks display after every concert. The evenings include a food court and beer garden. Other SummerFest events include National Night Out on Aug. 1, the annual car show on Aug. 3 and a drive-in movie featuring Top Gun: Maverick on Aug.

11. oceancountytourism.com/event/bricktownships-summerfest/2023-07-06

AMATEUR SAND SCULPTING FESTIVAL

July 7

Heather Beach Pier, Wildwood Crest

Can you dig it? Get your shovels ready and head to the beach where you can make your own gigantic castles, animals and structures out of the sand. Or, pack a lunch and watch the pros use their tools to create their magnificent pieces of art. wildwoodsnj.com/event/wildwood-crestsand-sculpting-festival-3/

CLAM FEST

Aug. 4-5

Huddy Park, Highlands

The star of the show is the seafoodbased food trucks, but if you’re more of a land lover, come for the Lions Club funnel cakes or the Highlands Fire Department BBQ tent. There will be a beer, wine and sangria garden. The streets will be closed for rides, games, children’s activities, specialty vendors, music and on Saturday a fireworks display. highlandsnj.com/Special_Events/ ClamFest/Clamfest.shtml

Food Festivals

DREAM FOOD FEST

July 14-16

American Dream, East Rutherford ride or hike paddle + tube enjoy the views from a hot air balloo n explore acres of farms

Pick your own fruit u-pick farm at a catch a ride on a steam engine train meet baby farm animals njfamily.com.

+kid around with a goat!

Look!

This mall meets entertainment complex is already known for its amazing food hall, but those choices will expand during this three-day openair collaboration of more than 100 unique food vendors from the NYC metro area. There will be showcases of local artists plus live performances all day, each day. dreamfoodfest.com

ST. ANN ITALIAN FESTIVAL

July 21-26

Saint Ann Roman Catholic Church, Hoboken

Get ready to eat zeppole, cheesesteaks, rice balls, wood-fired pizza, fried calamari and seafood salad, and wash it down with an ice cold beer. Don’t forget to enter the Grand 50/50 Raffle, plus the nightly raffles too. This is always a big draw since the streets are filled with rides, games and attractions. The Feast Day Mass is July 26, followed by a procession of the saints. stannhoboken.com/fest

LATIN FESTIVAL: TACOS & TEQUILA

Aug. 6

Monmouth Park, Oceanport

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the middle of the summer, since the racetrack will offer a selection of Mexican food, margaritas and live music with horseracing in the backdrop. There will be family fun day activities in the picnic area for kids, too. monmouthpark.com/event/ latin-festival-tacos-tequila/

Aug. 9-13

LA FESTA ITALIANA

Sixth Street, Jersey City

Holy Rosary Church will pack the streets for this Italian festival that will no doubt be filled with delicious eats and treats. You can expect sausage and peppers, fresh mozzarella, rice balls, pizza and torrone. There will be plenty of entertainment and vendors so you can take in all the sites and sounds. lafestajc.com

Music Festivals

MAPLEWOODSTOCK

July 8 + 9

Memorial Park, Maplewood

This festival is a free two-day celebration of music and arts that is run entirely by volunteers. The “founding father” James Buchanan passed away this past January at age 80, so he’ll be remembered this year. There will be lots of music, art, food vendors and a KidZone. maplewoodstock.com

ANGLESEA BLUES FESTIVAL

July 14-16

Anglesea Entertainment District, Olde New Jersey Avenue, North Wildwood

This weekend will be a mix of blues music and BBQ treats. Regional and national musicians will share their talents, performing on the free outdoor main stage, as well as in clubs and pubs in the area. BBQ experts will also compete in the New Jersey State Barbecue Championship, offering lots of great tasting food options. angleseablues.com

SOULSATIONAL FESTIVAL

July 29

Veterans Park, Bayville

Billed as a CommUNITY Day created to promote a positive lifestyle, you’re encouraged to “Rock’Om!” with live music, vendors, crafters, food trucks, beer, an art gallery, free yoga, classes and demos, interactive creative activities and a Kids Village. soulsational.info

CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL

Aug. 12

Monte Irvin Orange Park, Orange

The park will be buzzing with the rhythmic sounds, sights and smells of all things Caribbean. Billed as a heritage festival, there will be beautiful clothing, accessories, ethnic foods and live music to make your day. orangenj.gov

MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL 2023 BLOCK PARTY

Aug. 12

Lackawanna Plaza Stage, Montclair

The all-day block party celebrates summer with special guests, performances from the Jazz House summer students and DJ Brother Mister. This is a taste of beautiful jazz music before the Downtown Jamboree on September 9. montclairjazzfestival.org

HI-TIDE SUMMER HOLIDAY

Aug. 18-20

Asbury Lanes and The Asbury, Asbury Park

The Jersey Shore will set the stage for performances by The 5.6.7.8’s, Messer Chups, The Sufrajettes, Los Tiki Phantoms, Surfer Joe and more. Plus, there will be dancing with DJ Jukebox Jodi and friends. hitidesummerholiday.com

MORE CAN’T-MISS FESTS

YOUTH SPORTS FESTIVAL

Select dates from June 16 - July 4

DeVry University Campus, North Brunswick

This is a much-anticipated super festival in Middlesex County. There are rides, attractions, games, shows, food – all the typical carnival staples – including on Father’s Day and Independence Day. This is a fundraiser for youth sports in town, so you’ll see lots of volunteers manning the stations. Plus, there will be acrobatic acts, racing pigs, a giant Ferris wheel, a petting zoo and of course, fireworks. northbrunswickyouthsportsfestival.com

SUMMER VIBES FESTIVAL

July 8–Aug. 12

Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson

The theme park will take on a new look with bold and colorful installations. Look up under the Umbrella Canopy for hundreds of colorful umbrellas providing shade plus beauty. Look down along Whirly Way and you’ll walk through a spinning tunnel filled with tens of thousands of pinwheels. If you continue through the Vine Tunnel, you’ll move through the trees of the Forgotten Garden and see relics from Great Adventure’s past. Multi-colored air dancers highlight the M&M’s DJ Booth. And whether or not you’re brave enough to ride The Joker, you’ll see the biggest beach balls around right out front. Plus, there will be specialty food options and lots of live entertainment. And it’s all included with your admission! sixflags.com/greatadventure/events/ summer-vibes-festival

SOURLAND MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL

July 15

Unionville Vineyards, Ringoes

Learn all about the Sourland region as you listen to live music, eat local food, sip craft beers and spirits, and participate in family activities. Since this is held at the winery, you know the vino will be on point. Proceeds benefit the Sourland Conservancy, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the history and ecology of the Sourland Mountain region of Central New Jersey. sourlandmountainfest.com

SUNFLOWER FESTIVAL

July 29 + 30, Aug. 5 + 6

VonThun Farms, Washington

The Sunflower Trail is open for most of the summer, but on these special dates you can have even more fun with u-cut sunflowers, u-pick summer flowers and berries, tons of photo ops, a hayride, visits with barnyard animals, face painting and rotating food and NJ craft beer vendors. vonthunfarms.com/ sunflower-trail

BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL

Aug. 5

Watershed Institute, Pennington

Tours of the Kate Gorrie Butterfly House, the Insect Zoo, and bug and butterfly parades are just some of the features at this naturally entertaining festival in Pennington. The Watershed Institute will also present crafts, food, hayrides and more. thewatershed.org/ butterfly-festival

VETS SUMMER FEST

Aug. 12

Vasa Park, Budd Lake

This annual benefit supports homeless veterans in NJ. There will be live music all day plus a car show, craft show, bike run, plenty of food, and a kids zone to keep the little ones entertained. vetssummerfest.org

Readington Brewery and Hop Farm is a 25-acre farm-brewery, conveniently located on Route 202 in Hunterdon County. Open 7 days a week!

Their field to glass or “Bine to Stein”™ approach to brewing creates a craft beer destination like no other as they bring local flavor to traditional beer styles from around the world. Visit the farm & taproom and relax in a family-friendly environment complete with goats, plentiful outdoor seating, and a playground!

READINGTON BREWERY & HOP FARM

937 US Highway 202 S., Neshanic Station, NJ 08853 readingtonbrewery.com 908-237-3867

48 th annual

July 26-30, 2023