Wow!  What a weekend we have coming up.  Just over 30 different events covering a very wide spectrum of things to do.  This really covers all the bases so here it is:

Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival
This is THE biggest fall festival in Bergen County and runs from Friday the 18th through Sunday, the 20th.  Nothing else comes close to this 3 day extravaganza.  This is a combination of a food truck fair (over 20), carnival, craft & collectibles fair, 4H Exhibits, vendor show, live music entertainment and more.  75+ vendors, all sorts of food for you to buy in addition too.  The Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival is just so much fun.
 
Fort Lee Restaurant Week  
I did tell you about this in last week's article; now we have the list of participating restaurants in the 2026 Fort Lee Restaurant Week.  You'll find a wide assortment of cuisines from long established to new.  Fort Lee has a large number of terrific restaurants so come on out and enjoy going out at a discount.  It ends on Sunday, September 27th, so there's plenty of time left.

The Old Ladies Bar, A World Premier
Although it began this past week, there were sold out performances and just some awful weather as well.  So we'll begin with this Saturday's performance of the Players Guild of Leonia premier performances of The Old Ladies Bar.  This is a play that seems to be a drama with comedy tones about old female friends reminiscing.  Tickets are available for this weekend and next.  

The Producers, A Musical Comedy by Mel Brooks
This made history on Broadway with more Tony awards than ever before for a musical play.  The movie was a major hit too.  Created by the incomparable Mel Brooks, The Producers is a hysterically funny musical play.  Ticket sales have already opened for this Bergen County Players production - get yours soon before it sells out.  

St Anne Carnival and Food Fest
Bergen County has a lot of Church carnivals and fairs during the year.  These are always a great fun time with rides, delicious food, 50/50's, those delicious zeppolesl and more.  This weekend St Anne in Fair Lawn is having theirs and times are Friday 6-10, Saturday 4-10 and Sunday 12:30-8.  The St Anne Carnival & Food Fest is a highly popular Church fair that attracts thousands.

Town Wide Garage Sales
Town wide garage sales have become extremely popular.  For residents it's a way to repurpose items they'd normally pitch which helps the environment plus you get some income and for the public, it's fun trying to get to all the homes in 1 day.  We have 2 this weekend:  Elmwood Park and Hasbrouck Heights.  Both are on Saturday and Sunday.   

5k Runs and Walks
It seems that there's at least one 5k run every weekend except for the winter months here in Bergen County.  All of them are fundraisers for good causes.  We have 3 this weekend - 
Haworth 5k Run/Walk (USATF Points)
Midland Park 5k Run For Education
Northern New Jersey Empower Walk & 5k Run

Native Planting with Wild Woods Restoration
The Closter Nature Center is asking for volunteers to come help restore native plants Saturday morning at 9 to 12.  Together with the Wild Woods Restoration Project, the nature center is trying to nurture the ecosystem and bring it back to it's pure, natural state.  Everything you need to plant is provided and be sure to wear shoes and clothing appropriate for muddy conditions.   

7th Annual Peace Festival   
The 7th Annual Peace Festival is Saturday, 2-7, in Teaneck's Milton A Votee Park.  This non-political event celebrates a diversity of cultures and viewpoints many of  which are on display.  There's music,dance, food and entertainment organized to be family friendly with children's activites too.

Civil War Encampment at The Hermitage     
Step back in time Saturday 10-4 as The Hermitage in Ho-Ho-Kus is transformed into a Civil War Union Army encampment.  This is a wonderful re-enactment where you and children can enjoy being with Union soldiers and doing practice drills with them.  They even have wooden muskets for the kids.  It's a lot of fun and online tickets are  affordable at $10 adults, $5 children.  IF you pay at the door, please bring exact change.  An added plus is that a tour of The Hermitage itself is included.

Ridgewood Art In The Park Fine Art Fair  
Memorial Park at Van Neste Square is the location Saturday where you'll find beautiful art displayed from 11 to 4.  Also known as Ridgewood's Fine Art Fair, this annual art show always has outstanding art on display and for sale.  Ridgewood, as I've said before, has the largest local business district and many fine restaurants.  So there you go - great art, shopping and dining. 

Lorrimer Sanctuary Fishing Basics
This is so much fun!  Teaching kids and adults how to fish is truly a great experience.  You're out in nature, the tempo is relaxingly slow as it develops your patience plus  when you catch something, it's so exciting.  Many years ago I taught children how to fish and it was very rewarding.  If we caught something we weren't going to eat, back into the pond it went and we watched it swim away.  So if you'd like to learn how to fish from experts, go to Lorrimer Sanctuary Fishing Basics Saturday at 9 am at the G. Thomas Donch Nature Preserve in Franklin Lakes.

Saturday at the Teaneck Creek Conservancy
There's 2 different free events this Saturday at the Teaneck Creek Conservancy.  From 7 to 11 in the morning is their Band-A-Thon where bird migration is studied.  Multiple sessions are available for you to register for.  Also in the morning from 10 to 11:30 is another Community Science Saturday guided nature walk - Goldenrods and Asters.  For both, register online in case weather cancels so you can be advised.  

Twig to Tonic: Birch Beer Workshop
Take a walk through the Lorrimer Sanctuary grounds as you learn all about birch trees, find the right twigs and bark, bring it back and discover how to create birch beer through the process of fermentation.  This what happens Saturday afternoon 3-5 at  the Twig to Tonic: Birch Beer Workshop. You'll even take your own bottle of freshly made birch beer home with you too!
 
2nd Annual Chicken Wings and Beer Festival
Come to the Teaneck Armory Saturday, 12-6, for the 2nd Annual Garden State Chicken Wings and Beer Festival. There's live music, wing eating contests, locally brewed beers and, of course, more wings than you can imagine.  Small portion sizes allow you to sample a wide variety (although you can ask for full sized).  Get your tickets online at $7 because it's $10 at the door.   

Bergen Town Center
The Bergen Town Center Mall  has 3 things going on Saturday.  Another Yoga For The Soul at 9, a return of the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck with an unbelievable inventory of Hello Kitty items and their Artisan Market filled with hand made items from food to jewelry.

Daniel Ficarri Organ Recital
There is a free recital Saturday afternoon at 3 at the Presbyterian Church at Tenafly. The musician is the gifted organist, Daniel Ficarri.  Mr. Ficarri is the assistant organist of the St John The Divine Cathedral in New York City.  Daniel has an impressive list of accomplishments and musical background.  This will be a concert of fabulous organ music by one of the very best in the NYC metro area.  Donations are welcome.   

Chinese Music Concert 
Do you speak Mandarin Chinese?  If so, you'll love this concert which is nearly 100% Chinese language although some songs are in Italian and English.  This concert is under the direction of Zhi Zhang who is an opera singer and vocal instructor;  Held at the Ridgewood Christian Testimony Church at 2:30 on Saturday, all are welcome to this free concert.  However space is limited so reserve your seat by emailing Mei Han at BergenChineseConcert@gmail.com

Ridgefield Park Sustainable Swap & Shop
This is an annual event in Ridgefield Park and open to the public.  You drop off donations and that gets you admittance to shop at what's essentially a huge repurposing event.  The objective is to reduce waste so that less goes into landfills.  Drop off times are Friday 4-7 and Saturday 8-10.  Shopping is Saturday 10-12.  Location is the Civic Center at 159 Park St.  All of the details are on this link.

Joe Fernandes - PAC The House
Stand up comedy is where it's at Saturday night at the Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC).  Joe Fernandes and others brings you a fun evening of brilliant stand up comedy filled with laughs.  Joe Fernandes - PAC The House starts at 8 giving you time for an early dinner out for a great Saturday night.  Ticketing is through this link too. 

An Evening With Adam Pascal
Tony nominated for his lead role in Rent, Adam Pascal is a wonderful performer.  Saturday night at Ramapo College's Sharp Theater is An Evening With Adam Pascal. This is an opportunity to hear Mr. Pascal's words along with his music in an intimate stage setting.  The show begins at 7:30 and tickets are online.   

Joey's Fund 12th Annual Charity Classic Car Shower
It is always sad to learn why a charity begins and heartbreaking when that person is a child.  Joey DeCarlo was only 2 1/2 years old when cancer took his life.  Determined to give his life special meaning, his parents created the Joey's Fund Car Show.  Now one of Bergen County's major car shows, it is a spectacular turnout of classic cars, exotic cars and everything else you can imagine.  Nearly 300 are on display.  Location is the Closter Plaza Shopping Center on Sunday, 10-3. You can still register your car at only $20 too.

Spencer Savings 6th Annual Pet Adoption Day
Sunday from 11 to 3 is the Spencer Savings 6th Annual Pet Adoption Day.  Participating animal rescue groups will be there with loads of pets ready to be adopted.  I've had 2 rescue dogs and grew up with rescue kittens.  While rescues can sometimes take a while to open up and trust because of what they've experienced, you won't find a more devoted pet.

Ridgewood Fall Craft & Art Street Fair
E Ridgewood Ave turns into a walking mall Sunday (11-5) for the Ridgewood Fall Craft & Art Street Fair.  Filled with wonderful creations by over 200 exhibitors, this annual event is a major art show.  There's also a food court and kid's area along with live  music.   

Music By The Pond at the Closter Nature Center
The Closter Nature Center has a quaint old cabin alongside their pond that's used for many things.  One of the most special is their monthly musical get togethers known as Music By The Pond.  These are basically impromptu jam sessions with a wide variety of talent and expertise.  You don't have to play - you can just come to listen.  This Sunday 4-6 is another Music By The Pond. It's free, it's fun and if you want to bring your instrument and join in, that's great!

Graf Center Heal and Hike
The Graf Center for Integrative Medicine and the Tenafly Nature Center have teamed up to create an emotionally healing guided nature walk through the nature center's grounds.  Heal and Hike also allows you to de-stress so it's healing on many levels.  Come to the Tenafly Nature Center a few minutes before the hike begins at 10 am.  This is a free event. 

Nature Walk at DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst
There's a free nature walk at DeKorte Park this Sunday, 10 to12, given by the Bergen County Audubon Society. A 2 hour walk through this magnificent nature preserve, it will educate you to this environment and allow you to hopefully spot some gorgeous birds such as egrets and ospreys.

Autumn Equinox Campfire and Hike
The Tenafly Nature Center has several equinox/full moon campfire and night hikes during the year and this coming Sunday night at 6:30 is their Autumn Equinox Campfire and Hike.  This very popular guided walk has limited numbers so get your tickets now.  It doesn't work for children under 4 too.  It's great to walk through the woods at night and come back to a roaring fire and s'mores!

The Past Masters Rooftop Music at the Meadowlands
Whether or not you want to bet on a race, there's a great opportunity to enjoy live band music on the Meadowlands rooftop with an open bar for drinks.  The Past Masters band will be playing classic rock there from 6 to 11 which you can listen or dance to outside at dusk and under the stars.  The Past Masters on Roottop Terrace sure sounds like a fun way to spend Saturday night with a date or friends.

I think it's safe to say that there's something for everyone this weekend.  And don't forget about Apple Cider Making which is still going on.  

As for real estate, the bloom is definitely off the rose although the rose remains strong.  The market remains subdued from where it was at this time last year but it's still a solid seller's market with rising prices.  Certain segments are doing better than others but all in all, it's still great for homeowners  BUT, things are definitely changing.