Events

Game Highlight: Baseball Bingo Come out and win great prizes by playing Baseball Bingo throughout the game. | Presented By RWJBarnabas Health

Step back into 1776 and experience the words that changed history! The Somerset County Board of County Commissioners invites you to celebrate "Sharing the Spirit of America" - a nationwide initiative to celebrate the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 1776. Now, 250 years later, thousands of people are coming together across the country to read the Declaration of Independence "together" in a nationwide initiative to celebrate this historic anniversary. Join us to experience the words that truly changed history, enjoy musical performances, and meet historical reenactors from the Heritage Trail Association! Doors open at 5 P.M. Program begins at 5:30 P.M.

Game Highlight: Harry Potter Night Enjoy a magical night of all things Harry Potter at the ballpark. There will be themed fun, food, music and more! Fans can also purchase a House Cap & Ticket Bundle and sit with other Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, Slytherins and Ravenclaws at the game. | Presented By Somerset County Library System

* Use this link to join our virtual program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82198822203 Eighteenth-century Philadelphia was a complex place where global trade brought new goods and new ideas to the people who became revolutionaries. Follow one artifact — a punch-bowl uncovered in an archaeological dig on site of the Museum of the American Revolution — on a virtual tour of the city, and find yourself in market stalls, coffeehouses, illegal taverns, churches, and the halls of government.

Franklin Township is ringing in America's 250th anniversary year with its annual Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks on Friday, July 10TH at 6:00pm. The festivities will take place at the Franklin Township Municipal Complex located at 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset NJ 08873. This free event is open to the general public and will culminate with a spectacular fireworks display at 9:15pm. Parking: General event parking is available in the lawn area by the gazebo on DeMott Lane and Sampson G. Smith School. ADA Parking is available near the gazebo lawn area and the lot behind the animal shelter. This family friendly celebration will include food trucks, exhibitors from local township businesses, organizations, and children’s activities. Musical performances will be at the gazebo by the Franklin Township Community Band (comprised of Franklin musicians), and the featured band, The New Jersey National Guard 63rd Army Band. Franklin 250 will be represented with a dedicated tent where you can purchase the Franklin Township Commemorative Coin Set - The Faces and Places of the Revolution. This limited-edition collection features two coins capturing Franklin Township's unique role in the nation's founding: Coin I - Time & Place, commemorating pivotal Revolutionary moments with imagery of George Washington and the Liberty Bell, and Coin II - Unsung Heroes,

Light Opera of New Jersey (LONJ) proudly announces its upcoming production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s beloved comic operetta, H.M.S. Pinafore. Overflowing with wit, charm, and unforgettable melodies, H.M.S. Pinafore remains one of the most entertaining works in the operetta canon. LONJ’s production embraces the spirit of Gilbert & Sullivan with a lively, laugh-out-loud staging that highlights the show’s clever satire, endearing characters, and iconic score. This exciting production is stage directed by Veronica Shea, with musical direction by Jason Tramm and choreography by Katie Bradley. Together, this accomplished creative team leads a cast of standout performers, delivering both vocal excellence and comedic flair. Paired with the rich sound of the LONJ Orchestra, audiences can expect a polished and engaging musical experience from overture to finale. True to tradition, the production features vibrant period costumes and classic staging, offering an authentic take on the operetta’s nautical setting while keeping the humor fresh and accessible for modern audiences. Performances will take place at the Sieminski Theater Cultural Arts Center in Basking Ridge, NJ—an intimate, comfortable, and easily accessible venue that allows every seat to feel close to the action. With ample parking and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s the perfect setting to enjoy

Promotion: Duffel Bag Fans will receive a duffel bag when they enter the ballpark for the game. | Presented By UMC Foundation | First 1,000 Adults Game Highlight (3): Pirates and Princesses Day Come to the ballpark dressed as a pirate or a princess to participate in a pre-game parade around the warning track. There will be a Pirate and Princess photo station on the main concourse throughout the game, special on-field promotions and a scavenger hunt to win prizes. Game Highlight: Kids Run The Bases After every Sunday home game, kids get to run the bases! | Presented By Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey Game Highlight: Senior Stroll Seniors will be able to enter the ballpark 90 minutes before game time to enjoy a walk around the warning track of the field. | Presented By UMC Foundation | Seniors

* Use this link to join our virtual program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84669859863 The inspiring story of a little-known hero's pivotal role in the American Revolutionary War. During the brutal winter of 1775-1776, an untested Boston bookseller named Henry Knox commandeered an oxen train hauling sixty tons of cannons and other artillery from Fort Ticonderoga near the Canadian border. He and his men journeyed some three hundred miles south and east over frozen, often-treacherous terrain to supply George Washington for his attack of British troops occupying Boston. The result was the British surrender of Boston and the first major victory for the Colonial Army. This is one of the great stories of the American Revolution, still little known by comparison with the more famous battles of Concord, Lexington, and Bunker Hill. Told with a novelist's feel for narrative, character, and vivid description, "The Noble Train" brings to life the events and people at a time when the ragtag American rebels were in a desperate situation. Washington's army was withering away from desertion and expiring enlistments. Typhoid fever, typhus, and dysentery were taking a terrible toll. There was little hope of dislodging British General Howe and his 20,000 British troops in Boston--until Henry Knox

For the 6:30pm movie, come early at 5:30pm for FREE movie-themed arts and crafts for the kids! The arts and crafts will take place in our upstairs accessible Studio space. A live-action retelling of Disney’s 2002 animated classic, Lilo & Stitch is the wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family. Stitch, an alien from another world, comes to Earth after escaping prison, where he gets adopted by Lilo. The two learn the true meaning of ohana as they protect each other from the entities threatening to split up their growing bond. State Theatre New Jersey's FREE Summer Movies Series features morning and evening weekday screenings. Experience your favorite films on our gigantic 46’ screen, with our state-of-the-art sound system, in our historic theater! All movies will include Spanish subtitles.

* Use this link to join our virtual program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86171095302 Warren Township NJ was named after Joseph Warren who was a hero of the Battle of Bunker Hill during the American Revolution. Joseph Warren was the foremost Patriot leader in 1775. He alone made the decision to ignite the American Revolution when he sent his good friend Paul Revere to call out the militia to confront the British in Lexington and Concord. Warren then worked tirelessly to bring military and governmental order out of chaos in the weeks leading to his ultimate sacrifice at the Battle of Bunker Hill. British General William Howe declared Warren's life equal to 500 ordinary colonials. It was Warren who united the First Continental Congress. It was Warren who implored his friends in Philadelphia to appoint a commander in chief—even suggesting that George Washington be that man. (Washington himself referred to Warren as the commander in chief.) Streets, towns, and counties have been named for him—and for more than a century every schoolchild in America knew his story. Today, the true story of this extraordinary man lies buried beneath the dust of time. Joseph Warren was the essence of Liberty. Presenter: Janet Uhlar. Author, lecturer,

Plays in the Park 2026 Bernards Township Parks & Recreation and Trilogy Repertory Present Shrek the Musical July 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 Pleasant Valley Park Amphitheater, on Valley Road in Basking Ridge, NJ 8PM, Free Admission, Bring a lawn chair and flashlight. Presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. Music by Jeanine Tesori Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the book by William Steig. Producer: Christine Petruzzell Director: Beth Amiano Gleason Musical Director: John Birckhead Choreographer: Kristin Sarboukh Made possible by funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

The Annual July 4th Fireworks Display will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 9:30 P.M. at North Branch Park on Milltown Road in Bridgewater. Admission is free to the Independence Day celebrations. North Branch Park gates will open at 6:00 P.M. to allow vehicles to enter the park and families to picnic on park grounds. The fireworks display will begin at 9:30 P.M. Visitors should plan to arrive early. Milltown Road will be closed at approximately 9:00 P.M. Heavy car and foot traffic is expected. The NJ 3rd Regiment Revolutionary War encampment will be onsite. Park visitors should bring lawn chairs or blankets while they enjoy time in the park before the Independence Day fireworks begin. Food trucks will be available and picnic baskets are allowed, but alcohol is prohibited. Personal fireworks are not allowed. Milltown Road will remain closed at the conclusion of the fireworks for 30 minutes to one hour while local neighborhood pedestrians walk from the park. Bridgewater Police will be on hand to assist park staff with traffic flow. Please read the Event Advisory before joining the fun! Updates will be available on the Activity Hotline at 908-722-1200, ext. 5351 and on social media.

Fun Before the Movie! For the 6:30pm movie, come early at 5:30pm for FREE movie-themed arts and crafts for the kids! The arts and crafts will take place in our upstairs accessible Studio space. Detectives Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman) find themselves on the twisting trail of a mysterious reptile (voiced by Oscar® winner Ke Huy Quan) who arrives in Zootopia, turning the mammal metropolis upside-down. To crack the case, Judy and Nick must go undercover to unexpected new parts of town, where their growing partnership is tested like never before in Zootopia 2. State Theatre New Jersey's FREE Summer Movies Series features morning and evening weekday screenings. Experience your favorite films on our gigantic 46’ screen, with our state-of-the-art sound system, in our historic theater! All movies will include Spanish subtitles.

THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE AT MONTGOMERY LIBRARY, 100 COMMUNITY DRIVE, SKILLMAN, NJ 08558. This program is based on the presenter's book "George Washington's Revenge: The 1777 New Jersey Campaign and How General Washington Turned Defeat into the Strategy That Won the Revolution".In late August 1776, a badly defeated Continental Army retreated from Long Island to Manhattan. By early November, George Washington’s inexperienced army withdrew further into New Jersey and, by the end of the year, into Pennsylvania. During this dark night of the American Revolution—“the times that try men’s souls”—Washington began developing the strategy that would win the war. In this illuminating account, Arthur Lefkowitz reveals how George Washington turned defeat into victory. During his retreat across New Jersey, Washington reconceived the war: keep the army mobile, target isolated detachments of the British Army, rely on surprise and deception, form partisan units, and avoid large-scale battles. This new strategy first bore fruit in the crossing of the Delaware on Christmas night 1776 and the attack on the British at Trenton and Princeton. From there, Washington took up winter quarters at Morristown, New Jersey, and moved into the mountains, an ideal position from which to check British movements toward Philadelphia or

Step into 1776 and discover the story behind one of the most important documents in American history – the Declaration of Independence! Join the Heritage Trail Association for this interactive, family-friendly program bringing the founding of the United States to life. Young historians will have fun acting out the signing of the Declaration in a role-playing skit - and don’t forget to take a copy of this historic document home with you! Made possible with funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the New Jersey Historical Commission.

Fun Before the Movie! For the 6:30pm movie, come early at 5:30pm for FREE movie-themed arts and crafts for the kids! The arts and crafts will take place in our upstairs accessible Studio space. A shy Viking boy unexpectedly befriends a playful dragon and steers their feuding species toward peace in this live-action remake of the animated film How to Train Your Dragon. As an ancient threat endangers both Vikings and dragons alike on the isle of Berk, the friendship between Hiccup and Toothless, becomes the key to both species forging a new future together in a Viking-style fairy tale that's fun for the whole family. State Theatre New Jersey's FREE Summer Movies Series features morning and evening weekday screenings. Experience your favorite films on our gigantic 46’ screen, with our state-of-the-art sound system, in our historic theater! All movies will include Spanish subtitles.

THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE AT HILLSBOROUGH LIBRARY, 379 S. BRANCH ROAD, HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP NJ 08844. Author, Arthur S. Lefkowitz will talk about his book: "George Washington's Indispensable Men: Alexander Hamilton, Tench Tilghman, and the Aides-de-Camp Who Helped Win American Independence." While history has immortalized George Washington, it has largely forgotten those who helped to propel him to greatness—the thirty-two men who served as his aides-de-camp during the Revolutionary War. Washington relied heavily on these men—among them a young Alexander Hamilton—for help in formulating policy and strategy. "George Washington’s Indispensable Men" details the fascinating and sometimes tragic lives of these aides, providing a new and refreshing look at the American Revolution. Presenter: Arthur S. Lefkowitz is known for tackling offbeat but interesting subjects that present a research challenge. All of his books deal with some aspect of the American Revolution and his unique subjects include the story of the American Turtle submarine; the 1775 Arnold Expedition; the wartime exploits of Aaron Burr and George Washington's Revolutionary War aides-de-camp. His latest book is titled "George Washington's Revenge".

Game Highlight (2): Baseball Bingo Come out and win great prizes by playing Baseball Bingo throughout the game. | Presented By RWJBarnabas Health Game Highlight: Chance To Win $10K Fans (21+) will have the chance to win $10,000 at the ballpark during the game! | Presented By Heineken Silver

Game Highlight: Baseball Bingo Come out and win great prizes by playing Baseball Bingo throughout the game. | Presented By RWJBarnabas Health

Join us Thursdays in July for some exciting shows here at the RVCC Planetarium! 2:30 pm Magic Tree House: Space Mission (ages 5-12) 3:30 pm Earth, Moon, and Sun (Coyote) (ages 6-12) Tickets will be $11 per person for one show, $20 per person for two. Reservations are recommended, but not required. Please call the Planetarium at (908) 231-8805 for more info. Full show schedule can be found here: https://www.raritanval.edu/planetarium/public-shows

Game Highlight (2): Fireworks Don't miss the best fireworks in New Jersey after the game. Game Highlight: Sonic the Hedgehog Appearance Sonic the Hedgehog will meet fans and take pictures on the main concourse during the game. For meet and greets, the Somerset Patriots use a wristband system. Different color wristbands will be distributed to fans on the main concourse, behind section 202, when gates open to the public at 12:00 pm. This area is accessed by entering the Main Gate, which is located between the Ticket Office and Team Store. Wristbands are on a first come, first served basis and are limited in quantity while supplies last. Once they receive a wristband, fans can enjoy the game until their wristband color is called over the PA system or shown on the scoreboard. When their color is called fans can get on the meet and greet line. Once fans receive their picture/autograph, their wristband will be removed and they can go to their seats to enjoy the game.

THIS IS A SOMERSET COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM VIRTUAL EVENT. * Use this link to join our virtual program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86913311526 Prepare for the definitive story of Revolutionary betrayal! Trace the secret, desperate midnight meetings and coded correspondence between the two men. Explore André's daring undercover mission and the agonizing moments of his capture—when the plans for the fortress were found hidden in his boot. This near-miss not only exposed Arnold as America's most infamous traitor but directly sealed the tragic fate of the charismatic British spy. Discover how one man's wounded pride and another's dedication to duty led to an act of treason that almost crushed the American cause. This is the pulse-pounding, human drama behind the treason that shook George Washington to his core. Presenter: James Calaski completed his undergraduate studies at William Paterson University of New Jersey in 1998. He served with the Glen Rock New Jersey Police Department for over twenty years, receiving numerous awards and citations. He continued his studies and received a Master of Arts degree in History at William Paterson University of New Jersey in May 2013.

Join us in celebrating the beloved Harry Potter's birthday on July 31st! Witches and wizards welcome. 7:00 pm: Skies Over Hogwarts (8-adult) 8:00 pm: Skies Over Hogwarts (8-adult) 9:00 pm: K-Pop Laser Concert (6-adult) Tickets will be $11 per person for one show, $20 per person for two. Reservations are recommended, but not required. Please call the Planetarium at (908) 231-8805 for more info. Full show schedule can be found here: https://www.raritanval.edu/planetarium/public-shows