This weekend is the last in June and we've just passed the Summer Solstice.  Once again we have a lot going on in a wide variety.  Here's something too, now that's the summer is upon us in earnest.  Bergen County has tremendous recreational facilities.  Go to the Bergen County Department of Parks website and check it out.

Now, here's what we have so far coming up -

L.E.A.D. Fest Carnival in Mahwah
I've written about the L.E.A.D. Festival before in Paramus.  This non-profit organization trains policemen to present preventative classes and programs for children in order to keep them away from drugs and vilent behavior.  They've also added bullying to their curriculum.  Money coming from their carnivals supports these programs so it's money well spent.  As far as the carnival itself, it's big, filled with rides, food, games, entertainment and more.  It opens Thursday and closes Sunday night.  Click this link for all the details and tickets.

Mahwah Museum Open House
The Mahwah Museum puts on a series of lectures and exhibits every year that are truly wonderful.  The people they have presenting the many programs they do every year are renown experts in their field and, being very experienced at presenting, bring you programs that are very entertaining too.  This Thusday night 6:30 - 8:30 they are having an open house to the public where you can see all of their permanent exhibits.  You might want to join the museum too once you see all that they have.

Found Drowned: A Palisades Cold Case From 1873
The Fort Lee Historic Park has a fascinating talk by Eric Nelson Thursday night 7-8:30.  "Found Drowned: A Palisades Cold Case From 1873" is the title and it's all about a woman whose body was found floating in the Hudson River back then.  Eric began studying this cold case 20 years ago and will share his insights on what happened and perhaps why.  There's a lot to this story and it's all fascinating.

Happy 250th America! at St Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church
A big part of why settlers came to America was religious freedom.  Freedom of religion is one of the core principles of the United States of America and St Paul's in Closter is celebrating this with "The Fighting Lutheran Parson" Thursday night at 7.  Presented by Jonathan Kruk, the award winning lecturer, this is the story of Reverand Peter Muhlenberg and how he fought in the Revolutionary War.  

Assasins The Musical at HACPAC
HACPAC (Hackensack Performing Arts Center) has a new musical production that opens Thursday with performances through Sunday.  It's Stephen Sondheim's Assasins The Musical.  This is a dark musical that's about 9 assasins and how they changed the course of American history.  It opens Thursday night at 7:30 and being a Stephen Sondheim musical play, I bet tickets will sell quickly.

It's Time For Another Public Viewing Night
For the next Thursday nights through August 13th, it's a public viewing night at the Emil Buehler Trust Observatory telescope.  Hours are, as always, 8:30-10:30.  However, this week the weather might be cloudy so call them at 201-447-7975 that day to make sure it's possible. 

Mahwah-Ramsey Pride Celebration
Mahwah and Ramsey have combined forces to create a large, free celebration of all things LGBTQ+ on Friday from 5:30 to 8:30.  The Mahwah-Ramsey Pride Celebration location is the Ramapo College Bill Bradley Sports and Recreation Center which is big enough to handle this major event.  With over 50 tables for all the vendors coming plus music, speakers, entertainment and exhibits, this should be a lot of fun plus a great opportunity to network and learn too.

Fearless: The Taylor Swift Experience
The Wyckoff Family YMCA is a very active place.  They have a lot of special events all year long and this Friday is another at the Wyckoff Y.  It's the tribute band, Fearless: The Taylor Swift Experience.  While I haven't seen this band myself, I've been told that they're very good.  So if you're a Swiftie, this is for you!  The concert starts at 7:30 Friday and, as in all things Taylor Swift, it's going to be quite popular so get your tickets now.

House of Heavy
Do you know what heavy metal rock is?  Have you missed the crazy, wild concerts that came with a heavy metal rock band experience?  Then come to Rutherford's Williams Center at 8 Friday night because House of Heavy, that heavy metal tribute band, will be there with all the over the top loud, electric guitar screaming music of that genre.  Information and ticketing is at House of Heavy: The Heaviest Party in America.

Pollination Celebration 2026
The County of Bergen brings you an entire day of learning on Saturday 10-4 about the different pollinators and what species comprise this group.  You might be surprised because there are several different types.  Location is the James A. McFaul Environmental Center at 150 Crescent Ave in Wyckoff.  There are 2 guided nature walks (11 & 3) t look for pollinators and a bee program at 1.  This is in addition to all day exhibits, games, a scavenger hunt and more.  This is a free event that's well worth your time. 

Yoga For The Soul
Don't forget - the free, weekly Yoga For The Soul session at Bergen Town Center is Saturday morning at 9.  It skips next Saturday because of the 4th of July Weekend.

Bette Davis Ain't For Sissies
Come to the Puffin Cultural Forum in Teaneck on Friday night at 7 for a very special evening.  Bette Davis Ain't For Sissies is a 1 woman show that brings back to life Bette Davis in all her fierce and Hollywood Icon glory.  One of the biggest stars of the day, Ms. Davis was a gifted artist and fought against the studio system demanding respect and influence over her career.  The suggested donation is only $10 for this wonderful theatrical event that's both a drama and comedy performed by internationally acclaimed actress, Jessica Sherr.

Wyckoff 2026 Centennial Celebration
The Wyckoff 100 Year Centennial Celebration is in two parts on Saturday:  First there's a street fair on Main Street from 11 to 4 and then starting at 6 is a fireworks celebration at Memorial Field.  The street fair has live music, tables of vendors, food, beer garden, rides etc.  Plus chldren's book author, Kimberly Feehan-Ponte, will be on hand with a book signing event for her popular Paddy O'Laddy, The Magic of Kindness.  At night there's also music and a beer garden but when the sun sets, a fireworks display too.

Bat-Tastic at the Teaneck Creek Conservancy
Saturday night the Teaneck Creek Conservancy is bringing back Joseph D'Angeli (aka Bat Man) for an evening walk on the prowl for bats.  Bat-Tastic is a guided walk through the conservancy grounds with Mr. D'Angeli who will use modern methods to seek out these captivating creatures who are so important to our ecology.  This is a fun way to learn a lot about them and hopefully find some too.  While a free event, they ask for a $10 donation to help cover expenses.  It's also necessary to register so they know how many people are coming.

Edgewater Celebrates America's 250
Edgewater Celebrates America's 250 is a series of events.  Saturday night at 7 is one of them.  Veterans Field is the spot where you'll hear a concert by Benny Haven't West Point Concert Band and see sky divers perform from the Golden Knights Sky Diving  Team.  This is followed on Monday night at 6 with fireworks starting at dusk.  I'd expect food trucks, some vendors, music and other entertainment too.  

Feathered Friends of the Teaneck Creek Conservancy
Learn about birding and the birds that both reside in and migrate through the Creek Sunday morning 9:30-11.  Feathered Friends of the Teaneck Creek Conservancy will take you on a guided through the wooded grounds by Dena Resler.  It doesn't matter if you're a beginner - she and her team will help you.  You don't have to be a birder to enjoy this.  You'll learn a lot about our feathered friends and the Creek itself.  Please register so they can prepare for everyone.  A donation of $10 will be very much appreciated although this is a free event.

Bergenfield Barrier Free Car Show
Sunday 9-3 at the Bergenfield High School (80 S Prospect Ave) is the Bergfield Barrier Free Car Show.  All makes and models are welcome.  Trophies will be awarded, there's a DJ, food and vendor tables as well.  This annual car show is sponsored by the Bergenfield Lions Club and is in it's 3rd year getting bigger every year.  It's not too late to register your car at $15 before Sunday and $20 at the show.  I'd call the Borough Hall at 201-387-4055 on this.    

Oakland Pride Festival
Sunday afternoon 1-5 is the Oakland Pride Festival held at the Elks Lodge in town (33 Ramapo Valley Rd).  This is a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and also, hopefully, for a food bank donation.  If you could please bring 1 or more non-perishable food items, this will all go to the Ponds Reformed Church food panty.

Nature Art Club: Cyanotype Printing
Do you know about Cyanotype Printing?  It's really very cool.  I remember doing this when I was in school.  A good explanation is in the Joy of Print blog.  The Lorrimer Sanctuary has this featured in this month's Sunday afternoon (2-3:30) nature art class - Nature Art Club: Cyanotype Printing.  Cost is $18 members and $20 non-members - register and get your ticket online.   Why not try it?   This is going to be a fun and creative class.

Viva Vallenato Cumbia Band at the Englewood Public Library
Bring a chair or blanket and come to the Englewood Public Library Sunday night at 7 for a rousing concert of Columbian music.  The Viva Vallenato Cumbia Band Concert on the library's front plaza starts at 7 and ends at 8.  This free outdoor concert will get you up and dancing!

Firefly Night at Thielke Arboretum
Here is something unique - an event hosted by the Girl Scouts.  Girl Scout Troop 98399 has an event at the Thielke Arboretum Sunday night at 8 - Firefly Night.  This is a free event open to the public which talks about fireflies, how they act, why their population is declining and they go on a hunt through the Arboretum grounds to spot some.

Have a great weekend ahead - weather is going to be great so get outside and enjoy it.