Raritan Headwaters Association to hold annual Old Fashioned Country Fair, Oct. 4

By Pat Robinson

Pumpkin painting, bluegrass music, tractor rides and plenty of good outdoor fun are on tap when the Raritan Headwaters Association hosts its annual Old Fashioned Country Fair from 11:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4, at Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve, 2121 Larger Cross Road.

More than 1,000 people from central North Jersey are expected to attend the event, which has been held rain or shine since 1980.

Besides the traditional fair fun of pumpkin- and face-painting, a field maze, and children’s rides and games, there will be beekeeping, sheep-shearing and herding, and pottery and weaving demonstrations.

Returning to provide this year’s entertainment is Hub Hollow, a popular local group whose selections include a unique, acoustic blend of traditional Bluegrass, rock, blues and original songs.

In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy both vegetarian and non-vegetarian Italian dishes offered by Tony’s Traveling Trattoria (Cranford), the home-made ice cream of O Wow Cow (Lambertville), and the popular sausage sandwiches of the Pottersville Fire Department.

CideRoad (Mendham) will provide tastings of switchel, a Colonial-era beverage made with vinegar, ginger, honey or maple sugar, and water.

In lieu of a silent auction, attendees this year can try their luck with Mystery Mason Jars. Starting at $10 each, the jars will contain gift certificates for goods and services from various local businesses, including the Bernards Inn (Bernardsville), Dog House Kennel (Pottersville), Choco Diem (Clinton), Restaurant Village (Long Valley), and more.

In the special educational area, children and adults can learn more what they can do to protect the state’s valuable water resources and surrounding environment.

For those 21 years and older, a beer tent will be open from noon until 4 p.m.

“Raritan Headwaters’ Old Fashioned Country Fair is a great way to get outdoors and celebrate the fall. Since 1980, the event has become a favorite for children and adults alike throughout north central Jersey,” says RHA Executive Director Cindy Ehrenclou. “It’s also a great way to become familiar with the mission of Raritan Headwaters, which is to protect the pristine nature of the North and South branches of one of the state’s most important drinking water sources, the Raritan River.”

Admission cost is $25 per carload. All proceeds benefit Raritan Headwaters’ programs.

For more information, visit Old Fashioned Country Fair | Raritan Headwaters Association

Photo Caption: The popular local band Hub Hollow returns to entertain at Raritan Headwaters’ Old Fashioned Country Fair, to be held from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4, at Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve, 2121 Larger Cross Road, Bedminster.