Friday, September 5
Food Truck Friday in Hopewell Boro – The second Hopewell Food Truck Friday. Live music, more trucks, more fun! 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Railroad Place. Food Trucks: Antimos Italian Kitchen, Cupcake Carnivale, Jack and Charlies Hotdogs and Ice Cream Novelties, Nina’s Waffles and Ice Cream, Oink and Moo BBQ, Surf and Turf Truck, The Taco Truck. Acoustic jazz by Stringzville. Word to the wise – the last event was very popular and there were long lines. Go early, at a snack before you arrive, bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket. This is a great family event with an enclosed playground and live music. There will also be port o’ johns. Rain or shine. Follow Hopewell Food Truck Friday in Twitter @ftfhopewell.
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” at Dinner and a Movie Under the Stars – First night in a five-week Back to School movie series at the Princeton Shopping Center. Come out to the Princeton Shopping Center at 301 N. Harrison St., have a bite to eat, and enjoy a film at the center courtyard. Films will begin at 7:30 p.m., rain or shine.In the event of bad weather, movies will be in the ACP’s Pop-Up Studio.
Art Exhibit Opening at Gallery 14 – Opening reception for “A Tree in the House,” an exhibit of works by photographer Carl Geisler. ‘Elements of Clifford’ by Charles Miller is the Jay Goodkind Gallery. On view to Oct. 5. 14 Mercer Street, Hopewell, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., free.
Outdoor Dancing with the Central Jersey Dance Society – All styles of dance. Wear dance sneakers, bring your own water bottle. No partner needed. Hinds Plaza, 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Rain location is inside the Princeton Public Library. Free.
Saturday, September 6
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.
The 12th Annual Insect Festival – Sponsored by the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County, the 12th annual Insect Festival will be held 1 to 4 p.m. at the Mercer Educational Gardens, 431A Federal City Road in Hopewell Township. Attendees are invited to view the seven demonstration gardens – annual, butterfly, cottage, herb, native plant, perennial and weed ID – and talk with Rutgers Master Gardeners who will be on hand to offer tips and display guides for recognizing some of the pesky as well as beneficial insects. Every garden will host an activity that will entertain and teach children of all ages about the incredible and often beautiful insects common to the Northeast. The event will be held rain or shine; admission is free and on-site parking is available. View tiny organisms through microscopes at the bugs in water activity. Enjoy an insect hunt on the paths cut through the restored meadow, or visit with native-bee and honeybee experts who can explain why we need to be less fearful and more respectful of the most important pollinators in our ecosystem. Learn how insect predators, including both bats and birds, can help control insect pest populations and reduce the use of chemical pesticides. Everyone can take a look at red wriggler worms making compost in a simple container that is easy to set up at home, and join in other activities. Butterfly births, Monarch butterfly tagging, bugs galore, the insect puppet show, tattoos, crafts, hay rides, and more. Rain or shine. Free.
Sourland Spectacular Bike Tour – Registration begins at 7 a.m., Routes of 23, 35, 50, and 63 miles offers challenging routes for casual bikers and serious cyclists. Coffee and snacks, designated rest stops, and bathroom facilities. Lunch by Nomad Pizza. Benefit for the Sourland Conser Sourland Conservancy, a nonprofit that works to protect the ecological integrity, historical resources, and character of the region. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Otto Kauffman Community Center, 356 Skillman Road, Skillman.Register on-site for $40 (includes lunch).
West Windsor Bike Fest – Annual bike festival features a 1.5 mile ride in the park, a seven-mile trolley line trail ride, and an 11-mile town tour. Extended routes for experienced cyclists include a 20-mile and 40-mile ride for experienced cyclists. All participants must wear an approved helmet. Participants under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult. All fees include route markings, cue sheets, and maps, food and water stops, post ride party, lunch, entertainment, and more. Bike safety rodeo from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Rain date is Sunday, Sept. 7. West Windsor Recreation, West Windsor Community Park, Route 571, 7:30 a.m. $5 to $15 depending on age.
The Fire of Flamenco – The Arts Council of Princeton presents a free dance workship at the Princeton Shopping Center at 301 North Harrison Street in Princeton from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Led by artist in residence Lisa Botalico and visual artist Libby Ramage. Workshop for children at 1 p.m., workshop for adults at 2 p.m.
Back to School at the Howell Living History Farm – Tours of the schoolhouse and poultry farm. Educational, social, and cultural activities centered around the one-room school in rural life of 1900. McGuffy readers, slates, slate pencils, antique school desks, and school bells. Parking and admission are free., 70 Wooden’s Lane, Lambertville, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., free.
Antony and Cleopatra – The Shakespeare play combines history, tragedy, and romance. Esau Pritchett and Nicole Ari Parker play the title roles. Emily Mann directs. Music by Mark Katsaounis on percussion. 8 p.m. Friday also, 2 p.m. Sunday. On stage through Sunday, October 5. McCarter Theater at Berlind, 91 University Place,8 p.m., tickets $25 and up.
Sunday, September 7
Jazz at the Princeton Public Library – Minor Blue, a jazz band composed of Princeton High School students, performs as part of the Crescendo: Musicians on the Rise series. Princeton Public Library Community Room, 3 p.m., free.
Corvette Show at Forrestal Village – Join the Spirits of ’53 Corvette Club at Forrestal Village just off College Road and Route 1 in Plainsboro for the annual judged show with awards for street stock, modified, full custom cars, and more. 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Admission $25. Raises funds for Hugs for Brady Foundation. Rain date Sunday, Sept. 14.
American Heart Association Heart Walk – Ribbon cutting ceremony honoring survivors, health screenings, family activities, CPR demonstration, and entertainment. Join survivors of heart surgery, heart, attack, and stroke, as well as families, friends, and businesses for a one or three-mile walk (your choice). Rain or shine. Mercer Park Marina, West Windsor. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Ceremony at 9:30 a.m., ribbon cutting and walk at 10 a.m.
Seriously, the Princeton Shopping Center thought “Ferris Beueller’s Day Off” was a good family movie? I seem to recall that one of the central characters is a prostitute…