Local festivals, concerts and more things to do in North Jersey this weekend, Sept. 5-8
As we head into September, several municipalities are celebrating their communities with their own special days. This weekend, we've got Ho-Ho-Kus Day, Dumont Day, Old Tappan Town Day, Hanover Township Day, a Day in the Park in Montvale, Ringwood's town fireworks and Teaneck Day. If you live in or near one of those towns, why not go out and have a good time with your neighbors?
There is still plenty of live music as the end of summer nears, with the Kootz in Lake Hopatcong, and a jazz tribute to Tony Bennett and Bill Evans in Mahwah. Also, Clifton has tributes to Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Black Label Society and Aerosmith at Dingbatz; the music of Sinatra at the Arts Center; and polka by Jimmy Sturr at St. John Kanty Church.
Plus, you can see "Orion and the Dark" outdoors in Hackensack, attend the Vernon Makers Market, have healthy fun at the New Milford health fair, celebrate diversity at Rutherford's Multicultural Festival, enjoy a chicken barbecue in Newton and learn some local history at the Jefferson Township Museum.
North Jersey weather forecast for Sept. 5-8
According to the National Weather Service, we may have some rain on Saturday, but otherwise, it will be a perfect September weekend:
Thursday night: Partly cloudy with a low around 60.
Friday: Mostly sunny with a high near 80. Mostly cloudy at night with a low in the mid-60s.
Saturday: Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers and a high in the mid-70s. The chance of showers continues through the evening; otherwise mostly cloudy at night with a low in the upper 50s.
Sunday: Sunny with a high in the mid-70s. Mostly clear at night with a low in the mid-50s.
The Kootz concerts in Lake Hopatcong
It's still summer up at the lake, so dive in with Acousti-Kootz at Alice's Restaurant on Thursday and then the band is live on the lake for the Boardwalk Blast on Sunday. The band plays a musical menu of classic '60s-through-'90s pop, rock, R&B and blues (self-described as "rock n' roll with fiber").
Go: The Kootz at Alice's Restaurant, 24 Nolans Point Park Road, Lake Hopatcong, 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, 973-663-9600; and at Boardwalk Blast, 37 Nolans Point Park Road, Lake Hopatcong, 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, 973-663-9795; thekootz.com
Movie Night at the Park - 'Orion and the Dark' - in South Hackensack
Bring your family and a blanket and enjoy the movie at Veterans Park on Friday.
Go: "Orion and the Dark" at Veterans Park, off of Phillips Avenue in South Hackensack. 8:30 p.m. Friday. 201-440-1815 ext. 127, southhackensacknj.org.
Vernon Makers Market
Vernon Township Recreation presents the Makers Market on Saturday, with locally grown and sourced produce, honey, farm-fresh goods, ice cream, arts & crafts, handmade goods and more.
Go: Vernon Makers Market at Heaven Hill Farm & Garden Center, 451 State Route 94, Vernon. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Free admission. vernontwp.com
New Milford Mayor's Wellness Campaign Health Fair
There will be healthy fun at the New Milford YMCA on Saturday, with games for kids, a sneak peak at programs, health screenings, health education, giveaways, music and more.
Go: Mayor's Wellness Campaign Health Fair at New Milford YMCA, 1092 Carnation Drive. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Free entry. newmilfordnj.gov
Ho-Ho-Kus Day
Organized by the mayor and council, the afternoon celebrating the borough will include live music, rides, local merchant tents lining the streets, food and craft beer.
Food trucks will include Empanada Lady, Rollin’ in the Dough Pizza, The Mozzarella God, Who Cut The Cheese Lady, Hold My Knots, Fossil Farm’s “The Game Changer,” Angry Archie’s, Merry’s Ice Cream Truck, The Brownie Bar and Cuphead Coffee. The Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern beer truck will serve seasonal craft, domestic and imported brands on the festival grounds featuring Oktoberfest offerings and a selection of beer and wine from its daily menu. Live music will be provided all afternoon by the Larry Stevens Band and the Ruckus.
Go: Ho-Ho-Kus Day on Orvil Court, Sycamore Avenue, Town Green and Warren Avenue. Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday. Free admission. hhkborough.com
Rutherford Multicultural Festival
Hosted by the Rutherford Civil Rights Commission, this 20th annual event on Saturday at Lincoln Park is a free, family-friendly celebration of diversity through live music, dance, art and more. There will be live music, entertainment, food trucks, community organizations and vendors.
Go: 20th Annual Multicultural Festival at Lincoln Park, 6 Highland Cross, Rutherford. Noon to 7 p.m. Saturday. Free Rain date is Sunday. Free admission. rutherfordboronj.com.
Dumont Day 2024
There will be food, a beer garden, live music, rides, games and vendors at Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday. Municipal departmehnt representatives will available to provide borough-related information and answer questions.
Go: Dumont Day 2024 at Veterans Memorial Park, Perishing Street at Davies Avenue. Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday. The rain date is Sunday. dumontnj.gov
Old Tappan Town Day
The event at Stone Point Park on Saturday will include rides and attractions, games and family-friendly competitions, face painting, a magician, a balloon twister, and other surprises.
Go: Old Tappan Town Day at Stone Point Park on Westwood Avenue. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. Rain date is Sunday.
Hanover Township Day
Celebrate the township on Saturday at Malapardis Park. The schedule of events will include a flag raising with the national anthem, recognitions, the WPHS marching band, the HTYFC Tiger cheerleaders, Sharon’s Studio of Dance, tai chi, raffle winners, soccer carts, Toxic Meltdown, Wrecking Ball, Grit Ninja, bounce houses, Hi-Striker, face painting, balloon art, wagon rides, karate demonstration, library storytime, a bubble show, Morris County Sheriff’s Office K-9s, food and drinks.
Go: Hanover Township Day at Malapardis Park, 211 Malapardis Road, Cedar Knolls. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. Rain date is Sept. 8.
Day in the Park in Montvale
On Saturday on Memorial Drive, there will be live music, rides, game trailers, food trucks and fireworks.
Go: Day in the Park, Memorial Drive in Montvale. 4 p.m. Saturday. Fireworks at dusk. The rain date is Sunday. montvale.org
Ringwood town fireworks
Fireworks aren't just for the Fourth of July. Ringwood's town fireworks show is this Saturday and will feature live music, amusement games, and food and ice cream for sale. Bring a chair or blanket and find your spot to watch the fireworks at dark.
Go: Fireworks at Shepherd Lake in Ringwood. The event begins 4 p.m. Saturday (rain date is Sunday)
VFW Post 5360 Annual Chicken BBQ
Eat in or carry out on Saturday at this Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5360 event in Newton.
Go: VFW Post 5360 Annual Chicken BBQ at 85 Mill St., Newton. 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday. $20. 973-383-7169
Tributes to Led Zeppelin/Van Halen, Black Label Society, Aerosmith
Stairway To Halen is a tribute to both Led Zeppelin and Van Halen, formed in 2017 and based in Milford, Connecticut. ExZakked is a tribute to Zakk Wylde's band, Black Label Society, formed in 2007. Pumped is a new Aerosmith tribute band based in Northern New Jersey. The three bands will join forces on Saturday at Dingbatz in Clifton.
The show will also feature Satin, an New York City-area band that first emerged in the 1980s with original hard rock/funk and is back again with its three original members.
Go: Stairway to Halen, ExZakked, Pumped and Satin at Dingbatz, 620 Van Houten Ave., Clifton. Saturday. Doors open at 7 p.m. All ages. $15. dingbatzlive.com
Teaneck Day
The Township begins its celebration at Votee Park on Saturday evening - bring a chair or blanket on Saturday for a showing of the movie, "Elemental," with free popcorn. Sunday is Teaneck Day and there will be inflatables for children and adults, face painters, balloonists, a trackless train, a petting zoo, pony rides, food trucks, live music featuring the Five-O Band, community tables, live pro wrestling matches and fireworks.
Go: Teaneck Day weekend at Votee Park, between Palisade Avenue and Queen Anne Road. 7:45 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Wrestling matches begin at 6. Fireworks begin at 8. The rain dates are Sept. 14 and Sept. 15. Free admission. teanecknj.gov, 201-837-7130, [email protected].
Jefferson Township Museum open house
Celebrate the township's 220th anniversary with the Jefferson Township Historical Society. Learn about the township's history at this museum's open house on Sunday.
Go: Open house at the Jefferson Township Museum (George Chamberlain House), 315 Dover-Milton Road. Free. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. jeffersontownship.net.
Dine & Dance with the Music of Sinatra in Clifton
One More Once, a big band led by Joey V and Tim Hayward, will perform at this annual fundraiser for the Clifton Arts Center. The event will include Italian Tapas from T's Tastes, wine, dessert and a tricky tray. Dessert and wine sponsored by JK Realty.
Go: Dine & Dance with the Music of Sinatra at the Clifton Arts Center, on the grounds of the Municipal Complex, 900 Clifton Ave. 2 p.m. Sunday. $65; $62 for seniors. Limited seating is available. cliftonartscenter.org, 973-472-5499.
Tony Corrao and the Joel Zelnik Trio, tribute to Tony Bennett & Bill Evans
On Sunday at the Mahwah library, Corrao and Zelnik will perform their tribute to Bennett and Evans. In 1975, Tony Bennett collaborated with pianist Bill Evans to create to two jazz albums mostly comprised of songs associated with singers such as Mabel Mercer and Billie Holiday, as well as Evans' own "Waltz for Debby" with Gene Lees' lyrics. Tony Corrao is a vocalist, born and raised in Brooklyn. A contemporary of Evans, Zelnik has been performing for more than five decades. This concert is made possible with a grant from the Musicians Union Local 16-248 Music Performance Trust Fund, which brings music to the public and supplements the income of musicians.
Go: Tony Corrao and the Joel Zelnik Trio at Mahwah Public Library, 100 Ridge Road. 2 p.m. Sunday. Registration is required. 201-529-7423, mahwahlibrary.org.
Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra in Clifton
18-time Grammy winner Sturr will bring his polka music to the bandstand at the St. John Kanty Church picnic on Sunday. The public is welcome to attend.
Go: Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra at St. John Kanty Church, 49 Speer Ave., Clifton. 3:30 p.m. Sunday. jimmysturr.com
Have an event coming up? Tell us about it. Write to Daniel Galioto at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Things to do in North Jersey, Sept. 5-8, 2024
