NJ Weekend Events June 4-5: FREE Festivals, Lady Pirates, Talking Bears and World Oceans Day
June 2, 2011
June. Ahhh… The end of car pools, coats and homework crying fits. The beginning of summer, when the memory-making feels almost visceral. The gluttonous gorging on strawberries; gleeful races to the sea foam; the tucked up legs in the freezing movie theater, and yes, the management of a tremendous amount of wet towels. This weekend kicks it all off with good eats, nature-time, sea life (human and animal), and even some beary nice theatre. Welcome, summer. I feel nostalgic already.
The Annual West Cape May Strawberry Festival (Cape May)
It’s all about the food, really. If you can’t get down with some ribs and corn and fresh- picked berries, you may as well move to Saskatchewan or something. This yearly celebration of summer’s bounty in Wilbraham Park has all the best seasonal foodstuffs, plus piping hot barbecue and seafood. There is also live entertainment, and vendors selling various arts, crafts and antiques. Saturday, June 4th, from 9 AM to 5 PM. FREE parking & admission. Call 609-884-9325 for further information. Rain date June 5.
Pirate Women of America (Madison)
Argh! Ye best avast at the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts for a fine lecture on the life of women pirates from buccaneer Kati Brower, covering ‘stories of independence, civility and revenge.’ Sunday, June 5th at 2 pm. Registration is strongly encouraged. Maximum charge for a single family is $13. While you’re there stop by the special exhibit, Mariners, Merchants & Pirates: Early American seafaring techniques, tools and methods.
Build a Rope Bridge at Washington Crossing State Park (Titusville)
Build an honest to goodness suspended rope bridge over a ravine at Washington Crossing State Park near the Delaware River. Learn different knots and basic rigging techniques, for ages 8 and up. Sunday, June 5th from 1:30-4 PM. Advanced registration required. Park vehicle entrance fee is $5 per car. This is a tremendous park with a slew of organized activities from musket demonstrations to geocaching, as well as loads of trails and wildlife. All programs will meet at the Nature Center. Call 609-737-0609 for further information.
Berenstain Bears in ‘Family Matters’ at Paper Mill Playhouse (Millburn)
This lively new musical combines three of the most popular Berenstain Bear books: The Berenstain Bears Learn about Strangers, The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food, and The Berenstain Bears Trouble at School. Saturday, June 4th at 10 AM. Tickets are $15 for orchestra and box seats and $12 for mezzanine seats. Call 973-376-4343 for further information.
1,2,3 and the Seas: World Oceans Day 2011 at Jenkinson’s Aquarium (Point Pleasant)
If you want a break from the sun, sand and rides at Jenkinson’s — and really, who doesn’t? — Check out 1, 2, 3 and the Seas at the aquarium for Dr. Seuss-style sea-celebrating, with some ocean education thrown in. Saturday, June 4th. All day. FREE with admission. Also, every Saturday in June, Jenkinson’s Aquarium will be celebrating its 20th anniversary with cake, games and mascot Perky the Penguin. Saturday, June 4, 11, 18, 25 from 7 PM to 9 PM
Riverfest Food and Music Festival (Red Bank)
Your basic 3-day Eat-until-you-hurl Fest, with tons of live music on the side. Red Bank’s best restaurants (we want to go just to sample “Sugarush Cupcakes”) and a Children’s Palace with rides and games add up to serious FREE family fun. Friday, June 3 to Sunday, June 5, 11am to 10pm in Marine Park. Call 732-441-0055 for more info.