Happy Thursday, Hunterdon. Steve from Clinton here.
We’re up to 172 Hunterdon residents receiving this. I only started writing this a few weeks ago, so it’s amazing to see the interest! Thanks so much for being here.
To those of you who replied to the previous email, we had some wonky technical issues with our email and I didn’t receive any of your messages ☹️. It should be fixed now, but I’d appreciate a quick “Hey Steve!” or something so I know it’s working.
Anyway, let’s get down to business. In this edition, we’re talking a state law that changes your takeout order on Saturday, a Raritan Township hearing you can actually speak at, two important deadlines landing Saturday 8/1, and a complete event calendar for August (so you can plan ahead)
Then at the bottom of the email, the 73 Hunterdon events worth going to between Thursday 7/30 and Sunday 8/2.
But first, the weekend weather:
Thursday 7/30 runs about 80 with a shower window between 2 and 4pm.
Friday 7/31 is the nicest of the upcoming four days: 84 and sunny, no rain in the forecast at all.
Saturday 8/1 is 86 and partly sunny.
Sunday 8/2 hits 85 and gets wet, showers and thunderstorms on and off from mid-morning.
⚠️ Heads up
Starting Saturday 8/1, takeout stops coming with plastic forks unless you ask. New Jersey's Skip the Stuff law takes effect that day. Restaurants, delivery apps and online ordering platforms can no longer put cutlery, condiments and napkins in the bag automatically, and online systems have to default to none. If you want them, say so at checkout. Sit-down places seating 10 or more now have to give you real washable utensils.
The Farmersville Road bridge in Tewksbury reopened 7/20 after steel deck repairs. Two others are shut a while yet: Milltown Road in Kingwood closed 7/20 for about six weeks, and Riegelsville-Milford Road in Holland has been closed since 6/15 for culvert work running 10 to 12 weeks.
🏛️ County updates
Raritan Township holds a public hearing Tuesday 8/11 at 7pm on two ordinances. One sets the rules for hiring off-duty police officers. The other spends $173,520, of which $125,520 goes to the police station and $48,000 to fire-resistant cabinets. Both are on the agenda for adoption that night, and the notice invites the public to speak.
A Readington resident says nobody got asked about 165 new homes on Route 22. The township committee acted in late June on a 2022 redevelopment plan for an area called Block 36 that could bring a 165-unit Pulte development. The objection is that neither the planning board nor residents got a say first. It is one of three large complexes going up along a four-mile stretch of Route 22.
What are your thoughts on this situation? Should this move forward or be halted? Reply and let me know.
📅 Deadlines & dates
Third-quarter property taxes are due Saturday 8/1. Most Hunterdon towns run a 10-day grace period, which puts the real cutoff around Monday 8/10 before interest starts. The grace period is set town by town, so check your own collector rather than trusting one date for the whole county.
Farmland Assessment applications are due Saturday 8/1. Five acres or more in farm use, and the FA-1 goes to your municipal assessor. The deadline lands on a Saturday this year, so if you don't get it in by then, call your assessor Monday morning before you assume you've missed it.
BTW, If you want to see if your land qualifies, I made a free Farmland Tax Eligibility checker.
📅 August event calendar
Someone on Facebook asked me to make a calendar for August so she could plan ahead. So I made one.
The August calendar has 229 events, sorted by day, with the times and the towns. hunterdonscoop.com/august
Alright, now on to the upcoming events this Thursday through Sunday.
👦👩👧 Events for kids
Thursday 7/30
1. Preschool Storytime · Free
When: 10 to 10:30am, Thursday 7/30
Where: Ringoes, Hunterdon County Library South County Branch
What: Stories, songs, and a craft for ages 2 to 5. An adult has to stay with the child. Registration required, and only 1 of 12 seats was open as of last check.
2. Outdoor Story Time · Free
When: 10 to 11am, Thursday 7/30
Where: Tewksbury, Tewksbury Public Library
What: Outdoor storytime held every Thursday morning, weather permitting. Skipped only for heavy rain.
3. Storytime at Frenchtown Library · Free
When: 11:30am to 12pm, Thursday 7/30
Where: Frenchtown, Frenchtown Library
What: Summer storytime for ages 2 to 5, with stories, songs, and a craft. No registration required.
4. Kid Craft at Bunnvale Library · Free
When: 2 to 2:45pm, Thursday 7/30
Where: Bunnvale, Bunnvale Library
What: Bead crafts, including friendship bracelets and fuse beads, for grades K through 5. Registration is requested, not required.
5. Young Artists Club · Free
When: 2 to 4pm, Thursday 7/30
Where: Ringoes, Hunterdon County Library South County Branch
What: Weekly art club covering drawing, sketching, watercolor, and collage. For grades K through 5.
6. Creative Writing Workshop · Free
When: 3 to 3:45pm, Thursday 7/30
Where: Clinton, Hunterdon County Library North County Branch
What: Writing prompts and group challenges for kids entering grades 2 and 3. Registration required, 4 of 12 seats left as of last check.
Friday 7/31
7. Sing, Sign, and Dance with Miss Nina · Free
When: 10 to 10:45am, Friday 7/31
Where: Flemington, Hunterdon County Library headquarters
What: Interactive music performance for ages 2 and up, sponsored by Friends of the Hunterdon County Library. Registration required, 37 of 80 seats left as of last check.
8. Sand Art Necklace Drop-In Craft · Free
When: 10am to 12pm, Friday 7/31
Where: Ringoes, Hunterdon County Library South County Branch
What: Drop-in sand art necklace craft while supplies last. Recommended for ages 4 and up, with a caregiver's help.
9. Books & Babies · Free
When: 10:30 to 11am, Friday 7/31
Where: Clinton, Hunterdon County Library North County Branch
What: Stories, songs, and playtime for babies 6 to 24 months.
10. Mufasa: the Lion King (movie screening) · Free
When: 2 to 4pm, Friday 7/31
Where: Clinton, Hunterdon County Library North County Branch
What: Screening of Mufasa: The Lion King (2024, rated PG, 2 hours). Registration required, 8 of 12 seats left as of last check.
11. Building Buddies · Free
When: 3:30 to 4:30pm, Friday 7/31
Where: Ringoes, Hunterdon County Library South County Branch
What: STEM problem-solving and building activities for ages 3 to 10, led by local instructors. Registration required, only 2 of 10 seats left as of last check.
12. Family Friday Board Games · Free
When: 3:45 to 4:45pm, Friday 7/31
Where: Lambertville, Lambertville Free Public Library, The Gallery
What: Drop-in family board game afternoon, held after school on Fridays.
Saturday 8/1
13. Paws to Read with Therapy Dogs · Free
When: 10:30 to 11am, Saturday 8/1
Where: Clinton, Hunterdon County Library North County Branch
What: Reading time with therapy dogs, per the library's event title. No further detail was posted.
14. Kids Chess · Free
When: 11am to 12pm, Saturday 8/1
Where: Tewksbury, Tewksbury Public Library
What: Chess session for kids, per the library's event title. No further detail was posted.
🎮 Events for teens
Thursday 7/30
15. Teen Level Up · Free
When: 11am to 1pm, Thursday 7/30
Where: Clinton, Hunterdon County Library North County Branch
What: Drop-in tabletop, card, and video game session for teens. Bring your own lunch. Registration required, 19 of 20 seats still open as of last check.
16. Teen Dungeons and Dragons · Free
When: 4 to 6pm, Thursday 7/30
Where: Clinton, Hunterdon County Library North County Branch
What: Dungeon Master-led D&D session. Come with a level 3 character, or get help building one there. Registration required, and only 1 of 5 seats was left as of last check.
Friday 7/31
17. Teen DIY · Free
When: 1 to 2pm, Friday 7/31
Where: Lambertville, Lambertville Free Public Library, The Gallery
What: Weekly teen arts and crafts drop-in club. Work on the craft of the week, or bring your own project.
💸 Free events
Thursday 7/30
18. American Red Cross Blood Drive
When: 1 to 6pm, Thursday 7/30
Where: Flemington, Hunterdon County Library headquarters, 314 State Route 12
What: Red Cross blood drive taking both Power Red and whole-blood donations.
19. Chi Kung Classes @ the Library
When: 1pm to 2pm, Thursday 7/30
Where: Lambertville, Lambertville Free Public Library, The Gallery, 6 Lilly St
What: Weekly movement-meditation class for health and longevity. Accessible seated in a chair for all levels.
20. Hand & Foot Card Game
When: 6pm, Thursday 7/30
Where: Flemington, Flemington Free Public Library, 118 Main St
What: Weekly drop-in card game night, per the library's recurring-programs page. Call ahead to confirm it's running this week: 908-782-5733.
21. Drawing Nights: Phantom Limbs
When: 5pm to 7pm, Thursday 7/30
Where: Frenchtown, ArtYard
What: Drop-in drawing session tied to the Phantom Limbs exhibition, running Thursdays through 9/17. Free, but reserve a spot on Eventbrite.
Friday 7/31
22. Chair Yoga
When: 9am to 10am, Friday 7/31
Where: Tewksbury, Tewksbury Public Library, 31 Old Turnpike Rd, Oldwick
What: Gentle seated/chair-assisted yoga class open to all adults.
23. Mahjongg at the Tewks. Library
When: 12:30pm to 3pm, Friday 7/31
Where: Tewksbury, Tewksbury Public Library, 31 Old Turnpike Rd, Oldwick
What: Weekly drop-in mahjongg session for skilled and newer players alike. Bring your own set if you have one.
Saturday 8/1
24. Stangl Factory Farmers' Market
When: 9am to 3pm, Saturday 8/1
Where: Flemington, Stangl Factory, Mine St & Stangl Rd
What: Year-round Saturday farmers market held in and around the historic Stangl Pottery kilns.
25. Learn to Knit!
When: 9:30am to 10:30am, Saturday 8/1
Where: Tewksbury, Tewksbury Public Library, 31 Old Turnpike Rd, Oldwick
What: Beginner knitting session at the library. No further detail posted beyond the listing itself.
26. Annual DIY Member & Volunteer Art Show
When: During open hours, Saturday 8/1 (month-long exhibition)
Where: Flemington, Flemington DIY
What: Member and volunteer art exhibition on view for the month at the Flemington DIY collective space.
Sunday 8/2
27. Hunterdon Community Farmers Market (Dvoor Farm)
When: 9am to 1pm, Sunday 8/2
Where: Flemington, Historic Dvoor Farm, 111 Mine St
What: Weekly Sunday farmers market on the Hunterdon Land Trust's Dvoor Farm property, running May through November.
28. Lambertville Farmers Market
When: 9am to 12pm, Sunday 8/2
Where: Lambertville, Lambertville Free Public Library parking lot, 6 Lilly St
What: Weekly Sunday farmers market in the library parking lot, running mid-May through late October.
29. August Campus Tour
When: 11am to 12pm, Sunday 8/2
Where: Frenchtown, ArtYard, 13 Front St
What: Guided tour of ArtYard's campus and current exhibitions. Register via Eventbrite.
🍷 Date nights
Thursday 7/30
30. Half Off Glasses & 3 Course Pairings · price not posted
When: 12 to 8pm, Thursday 7/30
Where: Ringoes, Old York Cellars
What: Half off wine glasses paired with a three-course meal, all day Thursday. No price listed for the pairing on the events page, so ask when you sit down.
31. Trivia Night · Free
When: 6 to 8pm, Thursday 7/30
Where: Lambertville, Invertase Brewing Company
What: Free trivia at Invertase's Lambertville taproom.
32. Flemington Lyceum Society Lecture: Equity and Action, the Hunterdon County NAACP · price not posted
When: 7 to 9pm, Thursday 7/30
Where: Flemington, Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce
What: A lecture on equity and action featuring the Hunterdon County NAACP. Also streamed live on YouTube via the Flemington Lyceum Society channel.
33. SOCO Trivia · price not posted
When: 6 to 9pm, Thursday 7/30
Where: Flemington, Lone Eagle Brewing
What: Trivia night at the brewery's taproom.
34. 80's Drag Bingo · $25 (Eventbrite)
When: 8 to 9:30pm, Thursday 7/30 (doors 7pm)
Where: High Bridge, Mrs. Riley's Publik House, 6 Main St
What: 18+ drag bingo benefiting the Clinton Pride Family Festival. Doors at 7, bingo at 8. Tickets through Eventbrite. Note the address: the Publik House is 6 Main Street, not the old Mrs. Riley's at number 4.
Friday 7/31
35. Half Off Tapas & Boards · price not posted
When: 12 to 6pm, Friday 7/31
Where: Ringoes, Old York Cellars
What: Half off tapas and boards, all afternoon. No price posted for the special.
36. Chef Jose's Friday Paella · price not posted
When: 4 to 9pm, Friday 7/31
Where: Ringoes, Old York Cellars
What: Chef Jose runs the paella service every Friday evening. No price posted. Not confirmed whether live music comes with it.
37. The Wizard of Oz (Clinton Area Stage Troupe) · price not posted
When: 7pm, Friday 7/31
Where: Annandale, North Hunterdon High School Theater
What: Clinton Area Stage Troupe's run of The Wizard of Oz. Tickets through clintonareastagetroupe.com; price isn't listed. Same run has a Saturday matinee.
38. Urinetown · $35.79-$37.96
When: 7:30pm, Friday 7/31
Where: Lambertville, Music Mountain Theatre
What: Ticketed evening performance of the musical, part of a run through August 2. Book through Showpass.
Saturday 8/1
39. Weekend Bubbly Brunch · price not posted
When: 11:30am to 2:30pm, Saturday 8/1
Where: Ringoes, Old York Cellars
What: The winery's recurring weekend brunch, served with bubbly. No price listed.
40. Oyster Fest · $60, or $50 for members
When: 1 to 5pm, Saturday 8/1
Where: Ringoes, Unionville Vineyards
What: Oyster buffet from 1 to 4, with wine and music running to 5. It's the same event both days of the weekend. Book ahead on unionvillevineyards.com.
41. Weaving Through Grief Workshop · price not posted
When: 1 to 4pm, Saturday 8/1
Where: Frenchtown, ArtYard
What: A community workshop using weaving as a grief-processing practice. Registration required, through Eventbrite.
42. The Wizard of Oz (Clinton Area Stage Troupe), Saturday matinee · price not posted
When: 2pm, Saturday 8/1
Where: Annandale, North Hunterdon High School Theater
What: Matinee performance. Appears to be the last show in the run. No Sunday date is listed.
43. Urinetown (matinee) · $35.79-$37.96
When: 3pm, Saturday 8/1
Where: Lambertville, Music Mountain Theatre
What: Ticketed matinee. Book through Showpass.
44. Urinetown (evening) · $35.79-$37.96
When: 7:30pm, Saturday 8/1
Where: Lambertville, Music Mountain Theatre
What: Saturday is the only day of the run with two performances. If the matinee is sold out, this is the other one.
Sunday 8/2
45. Oyster Fest · $60, or $50 for members
When: 1 to 5pm, Sunday 8/2
Where: Ringoes, Unionville Vineyards
What: Second day of the same oyster buffet, 1 to 4, with wine and music to 5. Book ahead on unionvillevineyards.com.
46. "Taylor Iron and Steel Company" Talk · price not posted
When: 1 to 4pm, Sunday 8/2
Where: Hampton, Joseph Turner House
What: A historical talk on the Taylor Iron and Steel Company, part of Hunterdon County's 300th anniversary series.
47. Urinetown (Sunday matinee, final performance) · $35.79-$37.96
When: 3 to 5:30pm, Sunday 8/2
Where: Lambertville, Music Mountain Theatre
What: The last ticketed performance of this run. Book through Showpass.
48. Nature's Best Hope (Doug Tallamy talk) · price not posted
When: 3 to 5pm, Sunday 8/2
Where: Lambertville, Acme Screening Room
What: A screening and talk on Doug Tallamy's Nature's Best Hope, on steps to reverse wildlife loss. This listing comes from the Lambertville Chamber calendar rather than the venue's own site, worth confirming directly before publishing.
🎵 Live music
Thursday 7/30
49. Open Mic Night · Free
When: 6:30 to 8:15pm, Thursday 7/30
Where: Clinton, Hunterdon County Library, North County Branch
What: Open mic for poets, comedians, and musicians. Register ahead or sign up at the door. 27 of 30 seats left as of our check.
50. Skunktown Karaoke Night · price not posted
When: 6:30 to 9:30pm, Thursday 7/30
Where: Flemington, Skunktown Distillery
What: Karaoke hosted by DJ Ted D'Bierre of Lionfire. Listed as a standing weekly Thursday event on the aggregator it was pulled from, not a one-off, worth confirming it's actually running 7/30 before publishing.
51. Music Under the Stars: Yacht Rock Gold Experience · Free
When: 7pm, Thursday 7/30
Where: Readington, Deer Path Park
What: Free outdoor concert, part of the county parks department's summer series. Bring lawn chairs and a picnic.
52. Mountain Movers, Spectre Folk, Human Adult Band · price not posted
When: 7pm, Thursday 7/30
Where: Lambertville, Soupçon Salon Gallery
What: Indie and experimental music showcase at the small arts gallery, which also runs the Lambertville Film Club tied to ACME Screening Room. No price shown on the venue's calendar.
53. Open Mic · no price posted
When: 5 to 8pm, Thursday 7/30 (sign-up 5:30, sets 6 to 8pm)
Where: Stockton, Starving Artist Cafe
What: Doors at 5. Hosted by Daisy Jane.
Friday 7/31
54. Soulstice Music & Arts Festival, free grounds night · Free
When: 5:30pm, Friday 7/31
Where: Clinton, Red Mill Museum Village
What: The free Friday opener of the Soulstice Music & Arts Festival. Two bands play the rear stage near the log cabin, with food and drink sold on site. Ticketed festival days follow Saturday and Sunday.
55. Live Music: Ellen Ruck · Free
When: 6 to 8pm, Friday 7/31
Where: Lambertville, Invertase Brewing Company
What: Free acoustic set in the taproom.
56. The Jake Bobick Experiment · no cover stated
When: 7pm, Friday 7/31
Where: Bethlehem Township, Jerzee's Restaurant & Bar
What: Live music at the Route 173 bar and pizzeria.
57. Come Together Friday Night Music · price not posted
When: 7 to 9pm, Friday 7/31
Where: Clinton, The Guild of Clinton (multiple downtown locations)
What: Weekly live music spread across several downtown Clinton spots, running through Labor Day weekend. The site only lists the season's opening date as its own calendar entry, so 7/31 is inferred from the stated season range, worth a quick confirm with the Guild before publishing.
Saturday 8/1
58. Hunterdon Wine Express · $99 to $125
When: 10am to 3pm, Saturday 8/1
Where: Ringoes, Old York Cellars
What: A historic train ride plus guided tasting, chef-prepared lunch, and live music. Price varies by ticket tier, the venue's own events page and a separate search snippet for the dedicated experience page show slightly different figures ($99-$125 vs. standard $125/$110 for club members), so double-check the exact number before publishing.
59. Soulstice Music & Arts Festival, ticketed weekend · Ticketed (Eventbrite)
When: 10am to 10pm, Saturday 8/1, running through Sunday 8/2
Where: Clinton, Red Mill Museum Village
What: The second annual Soulstice fest, 25+ bands including Todd Sheaffer & Friends, Yarn, and the Bobby Syvarth Band featuring Tim Carbone. Kids under 12 free all weekend. Entry is ticketed only.
60. Wine & Music with Joe Arbadji · price not posted
When: 1 to 5pm, Saturday 8/1
Where: Ringoes, Old York Cellars
What: Live music by Joe Arbadji at the winery.
61. Live Music: Jeiris Cook Band, with El Molcajete food truck · price not posted
When: roughly 5 to 9pm, Saturday 8/1
Where: Pittstown, Beneduce Vineyards
What: Part of Beneduce's Saturday "Group Therapy" series, with the El Molcajete truck on site. The schedule page names the band and the truck for 8/1 but doesn't print a start time next to them. The series generally runs 5 to 9pm. Check the schedule page before you leave.
Sunday 8/2
62. Open Jazz Jam · price not posted
When: 1 to 5pm, Sunday 8/2
Where: Flemington, Flemington DIY
What: Open jazz jam, held the first Sunday of every month.
63. Live Music: Just Bob, with El Molcajete food truck (Sunday Picnic) · price not posted
When: afternoon, Sunday 8/2 (schedule page indicates roughly 2 to 5pm)
Where: Pittstown, Beneduce Vineyards
What: Acoustic set as part of Beneduce's Sunday Picnic series. Artist and food truck are confirmed for 8/2 on the schedule page, but the time comes from a general series description, not a per-date listing. Reservations are $10 a guest; walk-ins welcome as space allows.
64. The Darla Rich Duo · price not posted
When: 4 to 6pm, Sunday 8/2
Where: Lambertville, Union Coffee
What: Live jazz standards, pop nostalgia, and original material.
🌳 Outdoors events
Thursday 7/30
65. Let's Try Trail Running · Free, but you have to register first
When: 5:30 to 6:30pm, Thursday 7/30
Where: Bethlehem Township, Charlestown Reserve
What: County Parks and Rec beginners' trail running session with instructor Laura Tarlowski. Ages 14 and up, and anyone younger has to come with a registered adult. Free, but pre-registration is required, so don't just turn up.
Saturday 8/1
66. 300th Walk: Ringoes Walking Tour · price not posted
When: 10am to 11:30am, Saturday 8/1
Where: Ringoes, The Clawson House
What: Guided walking tour of Ringoes, part of Hunterdon County's 300th anniversary programming.
Sunday 8/2
67. River Day Trip (Canoeing/Kayaking) · price not posted
When: 8:15am to 3:30pm, Sunday 8/2
Where: Clinton, Echo Hill Park
What: Guided canoe/kayak day trip run by Hunterdon County Parks & Recreation, departing and returning from Echo Hill Park. Registration is required through the county's REC1 system; fee isn't published.
68. Walking Tour of Lambertville · price not posted
When: 2pm, Sunday 8/2
Where: Lambertville, Marshall House, 60 Bridge St
What: Guided historic walking tour of Lambertville, about an hour long, run by the Lambertville Historical Society.
🚗 Worth the drive
Thursday 7/30
69. Warren County Farmers' Fair: 4WD Truck Pull + Circle Round the Sun · $10 bleacher; fair admission $10 adult/$5 child 6-12
When: 6:30pm, Thursday 7/30
Where: Harmony Township (Warren County, New Jersey), Warren County Farmers' Fairgrounds
What: 4WD truck pull, plus live music from Circle Round the Sun from 4pm to 6pm, included with fair admission. Warren County, not Hunterdon.
Friday 7/31
70. Live Music: Jeff Bellfy Solo · price not posted
When: 6pm to 8:30pm, Friday 7/31
Where: Finesville (Warren County, New Jersey), Alba Vineyard, 269 County Rd 627
What: Solo live music set at Alba Vineyard's outdoor arbor. Price isn't posted for the evening set; weekend afternoon sets are sometimes included with a vineyard visit. Warren County, not Hunterdon, despite the Milford NJ mailing address.
Saturday 8/1
71. Peach Festival (Peddler's Village) · Free to attend, pay-as-you-go for food and vendors
When: Time not posted, Saturday 8/1 (also runs Sunday 8/2)
Where: Lahaska (Bucks County, Pennsylvania), Peddler's Village, Route 202 & Street Road
What: Peddler's Village kicks off National Peach Month with its annual Peach Festival, featuring peach-themed food and vendors. Exact hours weren't posted on the festival page. Bucks County, Pennsylvania, not Hunterdon.
72. Comedy for a Cause · price not posted
When: 7pm, Saturday 8/1
Where: New Hope (Bucks County, Pennsylvania), Cary's Music Room, 6426 Lower York Rd
What: Comedy show featuring Julia Scotti, Paul Lyons, and others. Cross-river venue in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, not Hunterdon.
Sunday 8/2
73. Live Music: B.D. Lenz Trio · price not posted
When: 1pm to 4:30pm, Sunday 8/2
Where: Finesville (Warren County, New Jersey), Alba Vineyard, 269 County Rd 627
What: Afternoon live music by the B.D. Lenz Trio at Alba Vineyard. Warren County, not Hunterdon, despite the Milford NJ mailing address.
Thanks for reading. Hit reply and tell me what event you're going to, or what I missed. I read everything.
Steve
P.S. If you know someone who'd want this, please forward this! They can sign up at Hunterdonscoop.com.