10 Weekend Events For The Entire Family

From baseball and butterflies to fireworks and fruit-picking, there are many fun upcoming activities for all in Bergen County.

MDW was tough to top, and last weekend was a blast thanks to Fourth of July. But, folks, summer fun is just getting started—especially here in Bergen County. Several towns are hosting Movies in the Park on select nights in July and August, for instance, while many of our favorite bars schedule live local bands to play tunes while you unwind.

But if you want something to do this weekend (other than lounging by the pool), the next two days are packed with family-friendly events in all corners of the county. So, fill up your water bottles, dress the kids and head out to one (or more) of the following:

Saturday, July 9

• Overpeck Butterfly Garden Tour. Join members of the Bergen County Audubon Society for a leisurely walk through the county park’s butterfly gardens in Leonia. The three-hour tour begins at 10 a.m. Admission is free, and visitors should meet in the parking lot adjacent to the equestrian center lot.
• Vintage Baseball at Historic New Bridge Landing. Enjoy baseball like it oughta be, the way it was played in the early 1900s. Baseballers will suit up in old-time uniforms and gear as the Flemington Neshanocks take on The Enterprise Club. First pitch at the River Edge field is set for 11 a.m. Tickets are $12.50 for adults, and $7.50 for students.
• Concert at Crestwood Lake. Pianist and singer Tim Gysin (he also plays pipe organ, bass, guitar, drums, sax, bagpipes and more) will perform a free concert at Allendale’s “beach” beginning at 7 p.m. Beach membership is open to Allendale, Ho-Ho-Kus, Saddle River and Upper Saddle River residents, but the show is open to the public.
• Fair Lawn Fireworks Show. Postponed from last week, the borough’s annual July 4 fireworks will begin between 9–9:15 p.m. at Memorial Park, Berdan Avenue and 1st Street. Gates will open at 6:45 p.m., with a concert by Due South to follow. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase, and visitors should bring blankets and lawn chairs. Ticket prices at the gate are: $9 for adults, $6 for seniors, $7 for children under age 12, free for kids under 2 and $30 for a family of five.

Sunday, July 10

• River Edge Car Show. Start your engines and head over to River Dell High School from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition to the lineup of cool classics, hot rods, modern marvels and motorcycles, the 21st annual car show will also include food vendors, music and plenty of shaded walking paths. The best part: Admission is free for all!
• Birding and Wildlife Guided Paddle. Head down to nearby Laurel Hill County Park in Secaucus for a kayaking tour of the Meadowlands. Hackensack Riverkeeper staff will guide paddlers along the river during low-tide to see herons, egrets, sandpipers, waterfowl and more. Two 2-hour tours will be offered starting at 9 a.m. and noon. Kayak rentals are $35 for a single and $70 for a tandem. Participants with their own kayaks can sign up for $20 for a single and $40 for a tandem.
• Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra Concert. The RSO, under the direction of conductor Kyunghun Kim, will perform a free special concert at Veterans Memorial Park in Westwood. A limited number of seats will be available for the 4 p.m. show, so guests are encouraged to bring their own blankets and chairs.

July 9–10

• Pick Your Own Peaches. Don’t wait until fall to pick your own fruit, because peach-picking season is in full swing now. Demarest Farms in Hillsdale is your go-to spot for a variety of juicy peaches. General admission is $5 per person (ages 2 and older), which includes parking and entrance, and a bag to hold peaches (approximately 10 to 12 pounds) is $15. Tickets must be purchased online.
• Westwood Ambulance Carnival. After a two-year absence, the borough’s volunteer ambulance corps is once again hosting its fun-filled carnival. Enjoy rides, games and food at Westwood Plaza from 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday and from 1 to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Wristbands for unlimited rides are $35.
• State Fair Meadowlands. The State Fair’s final two days are packed with entertainment, rides, games, amusements and plenty of food. One-day tickets are $38.99 (online only) and include admission, unlimited rides, parking, petting zoo, entertainment and more. The price does not include special attractions, live animal rides, games and food. Kids under 3-feet-tall are admitted for free. The fair opens at 2 p.m. on both days.

What are you doing this weekend in Bergen? Tell us on Instagram @bergenmagnj.