Arts & Entertainment

Unquarantined: Things To Do This Weekend In Sussex County

This weekend, Aug. 6-8, Sussex County's Farm & Horse Show, the New Jersey State Fair, makes its comeback after a year off because of COVID.

This weekend, Aug. 6-8, Sussex County’s Farm & Horse Show, the New Jersey State Fair, makes its comeback after a year off because of COVID.
This weekend, Aug. 6-8, Sussex County’s Farm & Horse Show, the New Jersey State Fair, makes its comeback after a year off because of COVID. (Shutterstock)

SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ — Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out this list of happenings in Sussex County.

Head To The Fair
After a year hiatus because of COVID, Sussex County’s Farm & Horse Show, also known as New Jersey’s State Fair, kicks off at the Sussex County Fairgrounds on Saturday. The Queen of the Fair, carnival rides, food, special events and days, are happening again this year. Click here for a recap of upcoming fair events and how to get tickets.

Engage In Laser Tag Missions At Laser One’s Midsummer Mayhem
Laser One on 205 Route 23 in Wantage is hosting laser tag specials, with walk-in events through Aug. 15, including unlimited laser tag missions for $15. Add in a round of Highway 66 bowling, five rounds of Laser Maze, a round of miniature golf and unlimited laser tag missions for $20. Check out these specials here.

Find out what's happening in Hopatcong-Spartawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Take In An Art Exhibit And Musical Performance
Rita Joyce is back again at the Sparta Historical Society’s Van Kirk Homestead on Sunday at 336 Main Street from 1 to 4 p.m. for her “Evolution of an Artist” event. A California expat living in Sparta, Joyce calls Sparta “a magical place full of inspiration” for her mixed media artworks with wildlife, florals, abstracts and more. Flexible Flyers follows with a musical performance from 4 to 5:30 p.m., with a lineup from the 50s through the 80s. Rita Joyce’s event is free, Flexible Flyers is for members and $15 for non-members. More information here about both.

Watch A Performance Of “Pippin”
Drama Geek Studios is presenting their long-awaited run of “Pippin” at Sussex County Community College’s Performing Art Center on 1 College Hill Road, through the weekend of Aug. 13. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Parental guidance is recommended because of adult subject matter in the show. Buy tickets at www.pippin21.bpt.me.

Find out what's happening in Hopatcong-Spartawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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 Sussex County Farmers Market is usually open at the Fairgrounds, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The indoor market, at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, however, will be closed during the fair, returning on Aug. 21.
The Sparta Farmers Market is 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. On Aug. 7, it’s “Music at the Market” day. Click here for this weekend's full lineup.

Cruise Over To A Car Show
Weather-permitting, 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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