22 Things To Do In Morris County This Weekend

School has begun for most students across Morris County but there are plenty of events going on this weekend to celebrate the last gasps of summer. From getting the lowdown on sustainability to remembering those lost on 9/11 15 years ago, there are many good reasons to get out of the house. It's a veritable choose-your-own-adventure!

Here's a nearly complete list of what's going on this weekend in Morris County:

9/11 Memorial Events

The borough of Kinnelon will hold a candlelight vigil on Sunday, September 11 at 7 PM on the Municipal Green to honor the memory of fallen heroes and their families.

The Morris County Remembers 9/11 Service will take place on Sunday, September 11 in Parsippany. The U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, Paul Fishman, will join in the Morris County memorial event, along with Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, who will be the keynote speaker. The observance will include a special invocation, a lighting of candles, and the reading of the names of each of the Morris County victims, plus a 21-gun salute, and keynote remarks. The memorial will begin at 6 PM at the Morris County September 11th Memorial on West Hanover Avenue in Parsippany-Troy Hills, across from the Morris View Healthcare Center and adjacent to the Morris County Public Safety Academy.

Chatham Borough will observe the 15th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks with two 9-11 Remembrance Ceremonies. A wreath laying by Emergency Services will take place at the Reasoner Park 9-11 Memorial on Sunday, September 11 at 8:46 AM. A 9-11 Memorial Service will be held at the 9-11 Memorial at Memorial Park located on North Passaic Avenue at 7 PM. Each year, the 9-11 Memorial Service concludes with a period of silent reflection and show of community support to remember and honor those residents who perished in the attacks. The ceremonies will be held rain or shine.

Food/Music/Beer

Enjoy blues and barbecue at a charity event in Boonton supporting various causes. The Boonton United Methodist Church will be holding their Guitarbeque, serving pulled pork, ribs, and hot dogs, and hosting a parade of acts, including Slam Allen and Jersey’s own Barbecue Bob & the Spareribs. Guitarbeque will happen on Saturday, Sept. 10, from noon to 5 PM on the great lawn of the Boonton United Methodist Church at 626 Lathrop Ave in Boonton. Tickets for the Guitarbeque are $20, with children 12 and under admitted FREE. They may be purchased online at www.TheMusicMission.org. Call 973-334-8654 for further information.

Ramstein Brewhaus in Butler will be showcasing their latest beer, the Seasonal Ramstein Oktoberfest, at their brewery on Saturday, Sept. 10. The brewhaus will also be offering a guided tour of the facility, introducing people to the art of making beer. The brewhaus will be open from 2 to 5 PM. Paul's Pig Roast eats will be available for purchase at the event. Ramstein Brewhaus, 22 Park Place in Butler, NJ. Go here for more information.

Butler's Friday Night Music in the Park Series continues Friday evening with classic rock band, Revolving Door. The band will be performing in Butler Park at 7 PM. Attendees can bring their own chairs but neither alcohol nor dogs are permitted.

The Brookside Engine Co. #1, a fire department in Mendham township is holding its 46th Annual Family Clam Bake on Saturday. The food fest is an event the fire company holds every year to raise funds for its volunteer-run department. The clambake will happen on Saturday, September 10, between 1 PM to 6 PM at the Community Club Grounds, East Main St. in Brookside, NJ. The grills and burners will fire up clams, burgers, barbeque, and hot dogs. Attendees can also enjoy homemade Manhattan chowder, corn on the cob, and even beer under a tent. Tickets are available through the fire engine co.'s site.

As part of the Sustainable Jersey initiative that includes 437 communities across the state, Washington Township will be holding its annual Green Living Festival on Saturday, September 10--as long as the rain doesn't put a damper on the day's events. For the first time in over five years, festival organizers are uniting with the Long Valley Fire Department to bring added entertainment in the form of fireworks and food trucks.
The festival, which will include exhibits, vendors, and educational programs, is a way for the community to highlight local sustainability. The event will take place at the Long Valley Middle School from 4-7:30 PM on Saturday, September 10, 2016.

The Great Outdoors

Mini bike enthusiasts can come out on Saturday, September 10 to enjoy their own rides in Morristown. As part of the Gran Fondo NJ weekend, Kid Fondo is a free event for kids who want to join in on the fun. The event will provide training on basic cycling skills, give participants a warm-up session, and help children decorate their bikes. The safe “Circuit-ride” around the property of the Vail Mansion will end with kids earning finishers' medals and chowing down on a very kid-friendly menu that will include mac and cheese, pizza, and drinks. This year’s Kid Fondo will be held on Saturday, September 10, from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Vail Mansion, located at 20 South Street in Morristown, NJ.

The Gran Fondo NJ event will return to Morristown and go through Mendham on Sunday, September 11 for lovers of cycling. Winding your way through verdant Jersey on some of the best cycling roads has participants voting the New Jersey Gran Fondo best of versions held in other locales. Gran Fondo NJ will provide a weekend packed with festivals, expo, and other entertainment for people of all ages. There will be raffles and food along the way, including specialty items supplied by event caterers and local cafes. The event begins at 7 AM and will start out from 3 Speedwell Avenue in Morristown.

On Saturday, September 10, Chatham volunteers are getting together to bring life to the plan for a trail along Hillside Avenue. The planned trail, a few hundred yards up from where Hillside Avenue meets River Road, will require volunteers to first lay branches outlining the figure-eight loop. Trail-building will happen on Saturday, September 10, and volunteers are asked to arrive at any point between 8 AM to 3 PM to help out. Volunteers should bring work gloves, appropriate footwear, and water.

Farmer's Markets And Others

Boonton is holding its farmer's market every Saturday from 8:30 AM to 1 PM in the Upper Plane Street parking lot, off Main Street in Boonton.

Boonton borough will also be holding a borough-wide garage sale. That means, if you're in the interest for deals and some historical treasures, visit Boonton for some steals on Saturday, September 10.

Chatham Borough's Farmer's Market will be showcasing Jersey fresh produce and other local products every Saturday between 8 AM and 1 PM at RR Plaza South off Fairmount Avenue. If you have any questions, contact our Market Manager, Janice Piccolo at 973-635-0674 x 200 or jpiccolo@chathamborough.org.

Chester farmer's market sells gourmet baked goods, delicious pastries and pies, fresh mozzarella, honey, Jersey wine, Jersey pickles, prepared foods, farm fresh eggs, and naturally raised beef, pork, and chicken. every Sunday between 10 AM to 3 PM on Perry Street in Chester.

Denville's farmer's market happens every Sunday from 8:30 AM to 1 PM in the Bloomfield Avenue parking lot. The variety of stalls provide succulent fruits and verdant veggies, not to mention hydroponic greens, local honey, eggs, meats, cheeses, and local foraged food among other interesting culinary finds.

Morris Plains will have their weekly farmer's market on Speedwell Ave. Extension, Merchant Block in Morris Plains this Saturday between 9 AM and 2 PM.

The Morristown farmer's market will be held on Sunday, between 8:30 AM and 2 PM at the corner of Spring Street & Morris Street in Morristown.

The Grande Market Place will be open at the Gro-Rite Garden Center on Beaver Brook Road in Pequannock on Saturday between 10 AM and 3 PM. Vendors will sell everything from herbs to alpaca wool.

Geeking Out

If you've ever seen the movie, The Wizard, starring Fred Savage, and wondered whether video game tournaments are real, Video Game Con (AVGC) in Parsippany is the place for you. It's real, and it's happening this weekend. The convention is dedicated to both retro and modern video games and will feature professional and casual tournaments, musical performances, video game burlesque, console freeplay, indie video game developers, special guests, cosplay contests, vendors, panels, auctions/raffles, and more!
The hours will be 10 AM – 11 PM on Saturday, September 10 and 10 AM – 5 PM on Sunday, September 11. AVGC will be held at the Parsippany PAL located on 33 Baldwin Rd, Parsippany, NJ.

Electric car enthusiasts across the nation will come out in droves beginning this Saturday, September 10, to celebrate and learn about electric cars. Morristown will hold its own National Drive Electric Week event on Saturday, one of 224 across the nation throughout the coming week, providing attendees with not only information about electric car efficiency, but also giving drivers a chance to get behind the wheel of a BMW i3, provided by BMW of Morristown. The event will take place on Saturday, September 10, 2016 from 10 AM to 2 PM, in the Presbyterian Church parking lot on 65 South Street in Morristown, NJ.

Image via Morris County government, used with permission.