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 kicking off the first days of summer with festivals, food, music, fun and overall getting out for the weekend.

Head To Rock, Ribs & Ridges For Music, Food, Camping And Fun, Any Day This Weekend
It’s time to rock and enjoy great barbecue, where winning pitmasters compete and the Allman Betts Band and Screamin’ Eagle Band open up the three-day 11th annual Rock, Ribs & Ridges Festival beginning on Friday at the Sussex County Fairgrounds.
Come hungry and ready for fun as barbecuers from all corners of the country grill up and dish up ribs, pulled pork, brisket, chicken, cornbread, macaroni and cheese and more. Sample ribs for the juried cook-off where these top barbecue chefs compete for “Best Ribs,” “Best Sauce” and “People’s Choice” awards.
Come for the day or bring an RV to stay overnight, where campers kick off their Friday with an “After Party” bonfire, campers-only concert on Saturday and wrap up Sunday morning with a coffee and donut get together. Guests are also invited to visit the Sussex County Farmers Market, on the other side of the Fairgrounds, if they’d like while they’re there, Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Other musical lineups are: Blackberry Smoke. the Outlaws, Artimus Pyle Band, Molly Hatchet Blackfoot, Pat Travers, The Weight Band, Jessica Lynn and The Matt Coffy Band. For the complete list of performers and tickets for Friday, June 25, Saturday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27, click here.

Go To A Corn Hole Independence Fest To Benefit Veterans
A celebration before the July 4 weekend festivities begin, Milk Street Distillery at 1 Milk Street in Branchville is honoring "heroes who fought to make us free" and the Declaration of Independence, with a Corn Hole tournament on Saturday from 1 to 10 p.m. The event benefits Warrior Strong, providing an adaptive workout facility, free training, occupational and mental health therapy and networking opportunities to veterans. It's $30 per team, click here to RSVP.

Shop At A Farmer’s Market
Sussex County has several community farmers' markets countywide, some making weekly and others twice-monthly appearances every month, with local produce, meats, dairy, honey and other items.

The Vernon Farmers Market is on rain or shine, this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., across from the Municipal Building on Church Street. The market boasts a plethora of Jersey Fresh items, including freshly-baked desserts from some of its vendors, from pies to fudge and more. At 11 a.m. is a free produce pop-up hosted by the Sussex County Hunger Coalition, with the goal to ensure no one goes hungry. Those taking home produce from the pop-up, will need to bring their own bags.

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 Rock, Ribs & Ridges 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. on Saturday, 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 are frequently there. Click here for full details.

Dig Up Some Minerals
Go treasure-hunting for some fluorescent minerals at the Franklin Mineral Museum on 32 Evans Street, when the museum hosts its Summer Dig Series on Saturday. Take in a dig on Pile #2 from 3 to 7 p.m. and Night Dig on Buckwheat #2 from 7 to 10 p.m. The 13 and up event in the earlier part of the day is $80 per person, with a 40 person limit, the cost of poundage extra. For the night dig, there’s no pre-registration, it’s open to all ages, with it $15 for adults; and children 13 and under are $12. Night dig poundage fee is $4, night diggers must bring their own equipment. Click here for Pile #2 and here for more info on the Buckwheat #2 dig.

Cruise Over To 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.

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