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Avoid Shore Traffic With Nearby Activities

Fundraisers, singles nights, kid's activities—Somerset has it all.

  • July 28, 2011
 

Sick of shore traffic, gas prices and endless waits on the Parkway and Turnpike?

While there's an appeal to salt water and boardwalks, sometimes it's not worth the hassle. Luckily, the activities in and around Somerset County mean there's something for everyone.

Have kids? There are craft, cooking and other events geared toward all ages. Single? Head out to a charity event that will let you meet area singles. Just looking to relax? There are a number of concerts where you can sit and chill.

Here's what's happening this weekend:

Single Mingle Benefit for Children's Specialized Hospital
When/Where: From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Children's Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick.
Why Go: Because it is a unique opportunity for ages 30 to 55 to meet community-oriented singles and help a great charity simultaneously.
Pricing: $25.

Music in the Park with Due South
When/Where: From 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday at Ann Van Middlesworth Park in Hillsborough.
Why Go: To hear the unique sounds of one of New Jersey's top country bands. It's been tsaid that they can convert many of today’s pop music fans into a "Boot Scootin’ Frenzy."
Pricing: Free. 

Teen Battle of the Bands
When/Where: From 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at Warren Township Municipal Complex in Warren. 
Why Go: To cheer for your favorite teen band. Who knows, someday you may be saying, "I knew them when."
Pricing: Free.

Safari Mark Magic Show
When/Where: At 3 p.m. on Thursday at the Warren Township Library in Warren.
Why Go: Children ages 4 to 10 will be entertained with animals, puppets, magic, and audience participation.
Pricing: Free. Registration required.

Monmouth Park Race Track
When/Where: At 11:30 a.m. on Friday. Attendees will leave from the Community Center in Basking Ridge and travel to Monmouth Park Race Track in Oceanport..
Why Go: It's for seniors ages 55 and older to enjoy a day trip while trying their luck at the track. Pick-up is available to those without transportation.
Pricing: Free. Registration required.

Aztec Mask Craft
When/Where: From 1 to 3 p.m. on Friday at the Warren Township Library in Warren. 
Why Go: For children ages 3 and up to drop in during listed times and create an Aztec Mask.
Pricing: Free.

Christmas in July with The Somerset Patriots
When/Where: At 7:05 p.m. on Friday at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater.
Why Go: To celebrate the spirit of Christmas early by bringing a new unwrapped toy and receive a ticket voucher to enjoy a future game. Come early, the first one thousand fans also receive a T-Shirt.
Pricing: $7 to $13.50 per ticket.

Pitching For Progin
When/Where: At 6:30 p.m. on Friday at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium in Newark.
Why Go: To watch Hillsborough High School graduate Eric Eden take the mound as the starting pitcher in the Newark Bears game against Brockton Rox. A portion of proceeds will benefit lifelong resident of Hillsborough, guidance counselor, and HHS head boys basketball coach as he fights against brain cancer. 
Pricing: $10 per ticket. 

"Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightening Thief" Drive-In Movie
When/Where: At 8:30 p.m. on Friday at Duke Island Park in Bridgewater.
Why Go: To watch a teenage descendant of a Greek god set out on an adventure to settle an on-going battle between the gods. Don't worry, your car will keep you safe from stolen lightening bolts. 
Pricing: Free.

Insects of the Night Family Wonder Walk
When/Where: From 8 to 10 p.m. on Friday at Duke Farms in Hillsborough.
Why Go: To enjoy the marvelous mysteries of nature on one of the darkest nights of summer. 
Pricing: $8 per person. $5 per person for members of N.J. Audubon, maximum charge of $20 per family. Registration required.

Rock Laser Show
When/Where: At 8:30 p.m. on Friday at The Planetarium at The Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg.
Why Go: To see colorful laser lights choreographed to the music of ELO..."Don't Bring Me Down."
Pricing: $6. 

"A Midsummer Night's Dream"
When/Where: At 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at Bernards Township Pleasant Valley Park in Basking Ridge.
Why Go: To enjoy a Shakespearian play about two couples in love with the wrong partners. The complications become fantastically funny.
Pricing: Free.  

"The Wedding Singer"
When/Where: At 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Villagers Theatre in Somerset. 
Why Go: To pay homage to the pop songs of the 1980s with a song-and-dance extravaganza. "If you find somebody you can love, you can't let that get away."
Pricing: $16 per ticket. 

Smooth Jazz
When/Where: From 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday at the Uproot Restaurant in Warren.
Why Go: To hear the sounds of smooth jazz from the talents of guitarist "Arturo" with Meghan Glynn and Tom Marciano.
Pricing: No cover charge.

Rutgers Gardens Open House Festival and Wine Tasting
When/Where: From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at Rutgers Gardens School of Environmental and Biological Sciences in New Brunswick.
Why Go: Because the festival is packed with events for all ages. Lectures, children's activities, and a garden tour of spectacular plantings. Those ages 21 and older may enjoy raising a glass with friends at the Wine Garden
tasting.
Pricing: Rutgers Gardens members are admitted free. Other adults, $5. Children under 13, free. There's a $10 separate gate fee for the wine tasting for attendees 21 and older.

Dinosaur Daze
When/Where: At 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Environmental Education Center at Lord Stirling Parkin Basking Ridge.
Why Go: Because kids ages 4 to 6 will learn all about dinosaurs with games and activities.
Pricing: $9 per person. Registration required.

Twilight Bike Tour
When/Where: From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday at Duke Farms in Hillsborough.
Why Go: To bike under the light of the moon past lakes, waterfalls, and the beauty of Duke Farms.
Pricing: $10 per person. $5 per children in a bike seat or a trailer. Registration required.

15th Annual Bayou Festival
When/Where: From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Sunday at Duke Island Park in Bridgewater.
Why Go: Because besides great Louisiana music and dancing, the party includes sensational selections of Cajun and Southern Cooking. Get ready for a Zydeco good time.
Pricing: Free.

Hill Mini Triathlon and Kid's Swim/Run Race
When/Where: From 8 to 10 a.m. on Sunday at The Hills Highlands Clubhouse in Basking Ridge.
Why Go: For ages 16 and older to try the "Tri," including swimming, biking and running. Children ages 8 to 15 can try the "Splash and Dash" to test their skills in a metered swim and run.  
Pricing: $25, adults. $10, children.

Happy Apple-y Kids Cooking Class
When/Where: From 11 a.m. to noon or 1 to 2 p.m. on Sunday at Wegman's in Bridgewater.
Why Go: Because the Kids in the Kitchen series continues with apple salad, caramel apples, and kid made cider.
Pricing: $5 per child & parent with Shopper Plus Card / $10 without card. Registration required.

About this column: It’sFriday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend. Patch is coming to the rescue with your best bets from around the area.

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