Planet Princeton Holiday Weekend Picks, July 2-6

colorful-fireworks
Photo by Robert J. Gleason.

Wednesday, July 2

Spirit of Princeton Fireworks – Best viewing site is from Clark Field at Princeton University next to the Princeton University Stadium. Fields open at 7 p.m. Bring a picnic dinner and a blanket. Fireworks at dusk, usually shortly after 9 p.m. No alcoholic beverages or smoking allowed. Free. There is no rain date for the fireworks. The fireworks will go on rain or shine. They will be cancelled if there is lightning.

Open Mic Night at the Alchemist & Barrister – Hosted by Eric Puliti. Registration begins at 9 p.m. Must be 21 or older.  28 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. Begins at 10 p.m. Free.

Thursday, July 3

It's blueberry season at the Princeton Farmers' Market.
Blueberries at the Princeton Farmers’ Market.

Princeton Farmers’ Market – Seasonal produce from local farmers, flowers, crafts and a variety of edibles are available at this weekly event. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Live music by  from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Hinds Plaza.

Hamilton Township Concert and Fireworks – Music by the Fabulous Greaseband. Fireworks at dusk. Food vendors and more. Veterans Park. Starts at 6 p.m. Free.

Free Concert by the Blawenburg Band – The Blawenburg Band performs for the Arts Council of Princeton’s Summer Courtyard Concert Series at the Princeton Shopping Center, 301 North Harrison Street. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Rain location is the Pop-Up Studio. Free.

Clam Bake at Rat’s Restaurant – Clams, lobster, shrimp, mussels, chicken, sausages, sides and more.  Seatings at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Reservations are encouraged. 16 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton. (609) 584-7800.

Friday, July 4

The Jubilee at Morven includes hands on activities.
The Jubilee at Morven includes hands on activities.

July 4 Jubilee at the Morven Museum – In honor of Independence Day and New Jersey’s 350th birthday, Morven will host a free event to celebrate  American heritage at the home-turned-museum of Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Live music by the Riverside Bluegrass Band. Face painting by Second Look Face Painting. Children can “sign” the Declaration of Independence.” Demonstrations of early American domestic life including bread baking, sugar plates, ice cream making, gunsmiths and more.  A conversation with “George Washington” as he shares his personal letters written during the Revolutionary War. Refreshments available from the Oink & Moo BBQ food truck.  Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Free. 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, 609-924-8144. Noon. to 3 p.m.,

Independence Day Celebration at the Princeton Battlefield State Park -Revolutionary War period soldiers demonstrate drill, artillery, and flintlock muskets. Volunteers demonstrate domestic skills found on a farm. Period games for children of all ages to try. Thomas Clarke House and the “Arms of the Revolution” exhibit open for tours. Presentation about the Battle of Princeton. Reading of the Declaration of Independence at 1 p.m. Bring a picnic lunch, no barbecues or alcohol. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 500 Mercer Road, Princeton. Free.

Pennington Parks and Recreation Annual Fourth of July Race – Fun for children ages 3 to 12. Races, relays, long jump competition, refreshments. 9 a.m. Pennington School track, Burd Street, Pennington.

Ewing Township Parade – Music by the Odessa Klezmer Band. Begins at 10 a.m. Parkside Avenue. Free.

Municipal offices and the Princeton Public Library are closed for the holiday.

Saturday, July 5

Area Farmers’ Markets – Montgomery Friends of Open Space, Village Shopping Center, 1340 Route 206 South, Skillman, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. West Windsor Community Farmers’ Market, Vaughn Drive Parking Lot, Princeton Junction Train Station, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Pennington Farmers Market, Rosedale Mills, 101 Route 31 North, Pennington, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Terhune Orchards Blueberry Bash – Live music, blueberry goodies, and more in celebration of the Garden State berry. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission $5. 330 Cold Soil Road, Lawrenceville.

Cranbury Concert and Fireworks – Concert by Mercer County Symphonic Band followed by fireworks at 9 p.m. Bring blankets and a picnic dinner (no alcoholic beverages). 6 p.m., Main Street.  Rain date is July 6.

Salsa Sensation – Join the Central Jersey Dance Society for a night of dancing. Beginner Salsa at 7 p.m., intermediate and advanced at 7:30 p.m. Open dancing starts at 8:30 p.m. No partner needed. 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 50 Cherry Hill Road, Princeton. Admission $15.

Trenton Social Bike Ride Tour – View the building of an arts community in Trenton on this bike tour. Trenton Social Bar and Restaurant, 449 South Broad Street, Trenton. 6 p.m.,  Fee of $10 includes pasta dinner.

Drum and Dance Fire Circle at Princeton Center for Yoga & Health – Group drumming. No experience necessary. Drums provided or bring your own. 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Orchard Hill Center, 88 Orchard Road, Skillman. Admission $15.

Lawrence Concert and Fireworks – Concert featuring local band Kindred Spirits will start at 7 p.m. followed by fireworks starting at about 9:45 p.m. Rider University, 2083 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrence. Free.

Sunday, July 6

Terhune Orchards Blueberry Bash – Live music, blueberry goodies, and more in celebration of the Garden State berry. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Blueberry bake-off at 1 p.m. Enter at the Terhune Orchards Farm Store by noon on the day of the contest. Admission $5. 330 Cold Soil Road, Lawrenceville.

Avatar of Krystal Knapp

Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.