Unquarantine: Things To Do This Weekend In Sussex County

SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ — Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out this list of goings-on in Sussex County, where there’s a focus on Father's Day and Dads, food, music, fun and overall getting out for the weekend.

Head To A Food Truck Festival

The Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council is hosting the Sussex County “Summer in the Sun” Food Truck and Music Festival, which runs at the Sussex County Fairgrounds on 37 Plains Road in Augusta, on Saturday, June 19, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is $5 per person, with kids under 10 free. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite or at the event. The lineup includes food, music, arts and other fun. Dogs are invited, with water bowls around the fairgrounds for pups in attendance. Families are encouraged to bring their chairs, blankets and even pop-up tents. Adults need to bring ID to enjoy the domestic and craft beers, sangrias, mojitos, margaritas and rum punch, available to enjoy.
Per state guidelines, masks will not be required at the event.
Musical performers scheduled are Country Comfort Band from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Diamond Eye Jack Band from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Arctic Dog, Latin Bites, Empanada Lady, More Thyme, Zeezad Noodles, Erving’s Brisket, Jimmy’s Crack Corn Kettlecorn, Uncle Louie G Italian Ice Cream, Ca’s Pierogi & Kielbasi, are among the many food trucks that are planned. See the Eventbrite page for full listing and purchase tickets at www.sussexfairgrounds.eventbrite.com.

The Milk Street Distillery on 1 Milk Street in Branchville, also has its own food truck event on Saturday, beginning at 5 p.m., with the Pita Bowl Greek Food Truck there with authentic Greek fare. Stop by for a cocktail at the Distillery and to also enjoy music starting at 7 p.m.

Shop At A Farmer’s Market

Sussex County has several community farmers' markets that have begun making their weekly appearances for the season, as well as the multitude of local farm stores, with their own markets throughout the county, featuring local produce, meats, dairy, honey and other items.

Kicking off for its first weekend on Saturday, the Sussex County Farmers Market is open at the Fairgrounds, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Why not take in both the farmers market and food truck festival at the Fairgrounds on Saturday?
The indoor market, at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, runs every Saturday through October, with local seasonal produce, eggs, meats, dairy, wine and other Jersey Grown and Jersey Fresh offerings.

The Sparta Farmers Market is also on every Saturday at 89 Sparta Avenue, boasting more than 20 local growers, makers, bakers and farmers, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fresh local produce, handmade cheeses, breads, pasture-raised meats, eggs and more are in the market’s lineup.

The Hopatcong Marketplace is another Saturday local market option this weekend, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., located in the Walgreens Shopping Center parking lot at 47 Hopatchung Road. This weekend, the House of Guenther is providing musical entertainment. The Marketplace is a blend of flea market items, from candles to pet products to jewelry to home decor to collectibles to direct sales companies and more. Queen of the Hill Farm, Jersey Pickles, A Slice of New Jersey Pizza, Rita’s Italian ice and the BBQ Pit Catering Company are just a few vendors and eateries that will also be there. Click here for full details.

Visit A Water Park

Mountain Creek Resort at 200 Route 94 in Vernon celebrates the opening season of the Mountain Creek Waterpark on Saturday in Vernon, with season passes now available. There are more than 20 rides, like Canyon Cliffs and the Colorado River Rapids. The High Tide Wave Pool is another way to have some splashy fun. Visitors can even reserve a private cabana by the Wave Pool, where they can picnic and relax. Click here for admission details, with the park open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Take In A Car Show

Sussex County has two car shows happening on Saturday. Weather-permitting, the Godfather Gang Summer Cruise-In takes place each Saturday outside of Friendly’s in the Hampton Plaza parking lot on Route 206 in Newton, beginning at 2 p.m. and running until sunset. Every week, there are classic cars that cruise in to the lot, bringing music, prizes and fun. Contact [email protected] for more information or visit the car club on Facebook.

Jumboland Saturday Cruise-In is also each Saturday at the Jumboland Diner at 438 Route 206 in Branchville, from 3 p.m. until close with the Sussex County Wanderers Car Club. Each Saturday the car show is on, there's DJ Doc South and a show trophy for autos in the show. Jumboland also has picnic tables and an open air pavilion. There are twice monthly theme nights and a mini drive-in movie. Email [email protected] for more details or visit their website.

Wine, Beer And Samplings Of Other Beverages

Depending on his tastes, dad can grab a wine, beer or cocktail, throughout the county. Visit Ventimiglia Vineyard at Rocky Ridge Farm, 101 Layton Road in Wantage, Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., for an outdoor wine tasting. Groups of six or more need to call ahead at 973-875-4333, otherwise, reservations aren’t required.

Angry Erik has special brews for Dads and a Father’s Day sale with $2 off on several of his special four-packs. Located at 2 Camre Drive in Hampton Township, near Newton, there is limited indoor and outdoor seating and time to sample American and Belgian-style craft beers. Angry Erik is open on Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6

The Milk Street Distillery is hosting the Jason Gisser Band, beginning at 7 p.m., for a fun night of music and cocktails.

Questions or comments about this story? Contact me at: [email protected].