30th Annual Old Fashioned Country Fair
Sunday, October 9th from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve- 2121 Larger Cross Road, Bedminster
$20 per vehicle

The Upper Raritan Watershed Association (URWA) will hold its annual Old Fashioned Country Fair on Sunday, October 9th from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Fairview Farm, a 170 acre wildlife preserve located at 2121 Larger Cross Road in Bedminster. Each year since 1980, URWA has offered its members and friends from Hunterdon, Morris and Somerset Counties the opportunity to enjoy a fun day of activities and experiences unique to country living. The event is sponsored by URWA’s Board of Trustees and the Peapack Gladstone Bank.

For children, there will be hayrides, a wagon pulled by Clydesdales, a field maze, scarecrows to dress, face painting, farm animals to pet, and many other activities. Demonstrations for all ages include sheep herding, beekeeping and fly-fishing. In addition, the Tewksbury Foot Bassets and Essex Fox Hounds will pay a visit. The music of Hub Hollow, which draws on bluegrass, rock, & old time, will entertain attendees throughout the day. Lunch and snacks will be available for purchase and several small boutiques will have items for sale. In addition, there will be a silent auction featuring treasures for people of all ages and there will be a 50/50 raffle.

Members of URWA will receive their invitation in late September along with an extra invitation to share with family, neighbors or friends. URWA’s Executive Director Cindy Ehrenclou says that area residents who are not currently members are encouraged to join the fun, taking advantage of a discounted membership offered at the event. “Family memberships are $50 per year, but we will offer them at half-price for any first-time member who joins while they are at the fair.” She explained why memberships are so important to the organization, saying “URWA is a not-for-profit, membership supported organization that has been working for more than 50 years to ensure the protection of the Upper Raritan Watershed through education, advocacy, land preservation and stewardship. This 194 square mile watershed region is a vital link in New Jersey’s water supply system and it contains large areas of undeveloped, environmentally significant land. It takes our organization over half a million dollars each year to effectively manage the lands we’ve preserved, watch over water quality, assist local governments and citizens in their efforts to carry out conservation programs and provide families with fun, educational opportunities that will help them develop a greater sense of responsibility for the well-being of the beautiful countryside we all love. The bulk of our funding comes from the tax-deductible contributions made by people who support our mission by making a yearly membership investment.”

Admission to the Old Fashioned Country Fair is $20 per vehicle. All activities and demonstrations are free. Carpooling is recommended – since Fairview Farm is a wildlife preserve, parking is limited to a large mowed field that can hold roughly 300 vehicles.

Click here to go to Membership Page