11 Events To Keep The Summer Fun Going

Looking to laugh, hike, dance or go on an adventure this weekend? Bergen puts all that and more at your fingertips.

It’s that time of the year. All of us are glancing at the calendar nervously, aware of September creeping closer and thinking, “Am I doing enough to take advantage of the summer?”

If you’re feeling the pressure, there’s no need to worry. You still have weeks left for quick shore trips and daytrips—and you have a wealth of events here in Bergen to make it feel like the fun will never stop. Here are a few options:

Aug. 14-16

• At Rutherford’s Bananas Comedy Club, you can catch a show by funnyman Chris Kattan, best known as one of the longest serving cast members on NBC’s Saturday Night Live. Known for his high-energy performances and knack for improv, this show is sure to have you laughing. Shows start at 7 p.m. each night, with an additional 9:30 p.m. show on Saturday. Pick up tickets online.

Aug. 14

• Hackensack Performing Arts Center presents its last free outdoor Sounds of Summer concert at Atlantic Street Park. Starting at 7 p.m., you can catch the sounds of White Wedding, an ‘80s tribute act who will play all the hits. Bring your own chair or blanket and enjoy!
• The football preseason has arrived at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford! Watch the stalwart New York Jets take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a 7 p.m. This is a chance to see new tricks and players while getting a taste for what this season might hold. Pick up tickets online.
• The Meadowlands Comedy Club hosts America’s Stand Up Comedy Championship at Redd’s Restaurant & Bar in Carlstadt. See five comedians with radically different styles and perspectives duke it out for the crown. Doors are at 8 p.m., and the show starts at 9 p.m. Pick up tickets online.

Aug. 15-16

• The annual celebration of Filipino American culture returns to the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford. Stop by Fiesta In America, the largest event of its kind on the East Coast. You’re in for a day of great food, incredible music, an international vendor market (and lots of community cheer). The fun starts at 11 a.m. each day.

Aug. 15

• The Teaneck Creek Conservancy holds a Community Science Saturday, this one focusing on insects and pollinators native to Bergen County. Participants will explore the center with a guide and learn how to log the insects they see on special apps to help the scientific community. The walk starts at 10 a.m., and registration is recommended.
• At Ridgewood’s Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, you can enjoy the sounds of the season with Live Music in the Park. Sound Buffet plays starting at 7:30 p.m. This concert is free—just bring your own chair or blanket.

Aug. 16

• Local environmental nonprofit MEVO hosts a Sunday Farm Volunteer Day, where you can get your hands in the dirt and boots on the ground while helping out a local farmer. You can help weed, mulch, water and harvest at Fresh Roots Farm in Mahwah. Register online and remember to bring a reuseable water bottle and gloves. The day begins at 9:30 a.m.
• At the Ross Dock Picnic Area in Fort Lee, those between the ages of 18 and 30 can jump into a Young Adult Hiking Social. This guided hike covers about two miles round-trip distance in about 1.5 hours on moderate trails (there will be a few steep parts!). Meet at 10:30 a.m.
• Over at Fort Lee’s Barrymore Film Cetner, you can experience classic Charlie Chaplin movie The Gold Rush accompanied by live music performed by Makia Matsumura for an authentic silent film experience. The screening begins at 4:30 p.m.
• Want to see masters of their craft at work? Head over to the Williams Center in Rutherford and catch Yee’s Hung Ga Kung Fu Academy 35th Anniversary, where you’ll see a dozen different Kung Fu styles from respected Sifus, Masters, Grand Masters and schools—the first event of its kind in the Tri-State since 1994. The fun starts at 5:30 p.m.; pick up tickets online.

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