Your New Jersey Weekend Sept. 10-11: Mostly FREE

 
9/11.  Who’d have thought the mere coupling of two numbers could plunge me into a nightmarish memory:  struggling through shrieking crowds, fighter planes overhead, an evil, gray cloud chasing and threatening to envelope my 5-week old in his stroller as a tower collapsed behind us?  This weekend brings many of us to a standstill, frozen in memory. But, as children teach us every single day, life goes on.  Let these few days be both a celebration of life, and a tribute to the loss experienced by families throughout America.  Celebrate with butterflies, sheep-shearing, vintage cars, pancakes and patriots.  Remember through song, speeches and services.  It’s the best tribute we as parents can offer.


SATURDAY ONLY
    


Butterfly Release at Garretson Forge and Farm (Fair Lawn)

While we’re not quite sure what comprises a “certified butterfly way station” (is there some kind of monarch EZ Pass?) we know there’s no sight quite like a sky filled with butterflies! Visit one of the oldest sites in Bergen County, a living Dutch farm museum, this Saturday for a beautiful butterfly send-off.  Saturday, September 10.  1:30pm-3pm. FREE.  Donations welcome.  For more information, call 551-206-4380.



Fosterfields’ Transportation Day! Features Vintage Autos (Morris Township)

Cars, cars and more cars.  That’s the spectacle this Saturday at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm Transportation Day where a dazzling display of vintage autos cover the property. On the farm, visit the Carriage House to see the Foster family’s sleigh, carriages, and wagons. In the Visitors Center’s Transportation Exhibit, see Charles Foster’s Rockaway carriage, and Caroline Foster’s 1922 Model “T” Ford, and 1929 Hupmobile. Try out interactive displays in both exhibit areas. Take a leisurely horse-drawn wagon ride around the farm, and experience first-hand an earlier form of transportation.  Yes, children, there was a time when windows were lowered by turning a handle and in-car DVD players did not exist.  Saturday, September 10. 11am-4pm.  FREE with admission:  $6./adults; $5./seniors (65+);  $4./children 4-16;  $2./children 2 -3;  FREE for children under 2.  For more information, please call 973-326-7645.



Annual Meet-a-Monarch Butterfly Festival at Pyramid Mountain (Montville Township)

More monarchs! Come out and learn all about these fabulous butterflies and the miraculous 2,000 mile journey they make. Games, crafts, music, activities and more! Saturday, September 10. Noon-4pm Cost: $4./ages 2 & Up.  For more information, call 973-334-3130.



Miller's Pancake at Cooper Gristmill (Chester)


Eric Carle's "Pancakes, Pancakes!"  comes to life this weekend at Cooper Gristmill as kids learn where flour comes from, and then watch the miller make a golden brown pancake. BYO syrup.  Saturday, September 10. 1pm-2pm. FREE Donations appreciated.  For more information, call 973-326-7600.



SATURDAY AND SUNDAY


Revolutionary War Encampment at Historic Cold Spring Village (Cape May)


Need to get a jump on that school history project?  The American Revolution comes to life this weekend with re-enactors and encampments from both Loyalist and Patriot militia. Field camps, weaponry, programs and more.  Saturday, September 10 and Sunday, September 11. 10am-4:30pm.  Admission:$10./ adults;  $8. children.  For more information, call 609-898-2300.



Wings and Wheels Expo 2011 at the Aviation Hall of Fame (Teterboro)


Grab Grandpa and Grandma for this show of vintage aircraft and autos, which features rides on a real B-17 “Yankee Lady”. WW II airplanes, helicopters and unique antique airplanes, cars and military vehicles are also displayed. There’s special contests for kids (get that Big Wheel fired up for action!) food and exhibits, too. Saturday, September 10. 9am-5pm. Sunday, September 11.  9am-4pm.  (A brief service to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of September 11, 2001, will be held at 11am.)   Admission: $12./Adults; $7./Seniors & Children under 12; FREE for children under 3.  FREE for Veterans wearing VFW or American Legion Cap • Active duty military personnel (with ID).  For more information, call 201-288-6344.



17th Annual Sheep & Fiber Festival at the Hunterdon County (Ringoes) Fairgrounds


No excuse for a b-a-a-a-d weekend! Head to Hunterdon County for sheep shearing, sheep dog herding demonstrations, a “Spin-Off”, sheep parades, animal shows & exhibits, craft vendors, clowns, face-painting, music and food. Saturday and Sunday, September 10-11. 9am-5pm. Admission  $5./person; $10./car load; $15./carload for 2-day pass. Stroller and wheelchair accessible.  No dogs allowed.  For more information, call 908-730-7189.



SUNDAY ONLY


America the Brave at the College of St. Elizabeth (Westfield)


“A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.”  Chinese Proverb. Let this song-filled salute to our nation and its heroes inspire, honor, and celebrate all that is brave and good in our uniquely American life. Program includes Dvorak’s New World Symphony, Copeland's Fanfare, Barber's Adagio for Strings, Berlin and more. Sunday, September 11. 5pm. Tickets $25.-$70.;$12./Students K-12. For more information and to order, call 973-408-3978.



9/11 Remembrance Service at The Great Auditorium (Ocean Grove)

Join this music-filled, inspirational community service to honor those who perished on 9/11, including 147 persons born, raised or resident in Monmouth County. Featuring Former NJ Secretary of State Buster Soaries; Dan Schafer, Chaplain at Ground Zero; the September 11th statewide orchestra & chorus; the NJ State Chiefs of Police Association and the Statewide Honor Guard.  FREE. For more information, call 800-590-4064.



For additional 9/11 specific events, volunteer opportunities, and teaching moment ideas, check out our NJ “Commemorating 9/11" post.