Now that we're at the end of August, you can see a noticeable decrease in the number of people around are because so many are away on vacation.  The result is a drop in the number of events.  But, as always there are some very cool events as you'll find here -  

Hidden On Closter Mountain
Come to the Fort Lee Historic Park Thursday night and hear about the history of enslaved people who came to New Jersey and created a free community for themselves.  Hidden on Closter Mountain: A 19th-Century Freedman Community on the Palisades is a lecture by Francesco Costa who did the research on this important part of Bergen County history.  Free to the public, just come.

Flat Rock Brook Full Moon Hike
While I know a lot of you enjoy nature centers and parks during the daytime, there's something special about being in the woods at night.  Flat Rock Brook Nature Preserrve in Englewood is celebrating the last full moon of the summer with their Flat Rock Brook Full Moon Hike Thursday night at 7.  This 2 hour event goes from dusk to dark and is really for adults and older children.  Tickets are only $20 for this Sturgeon Moon event.

Saborland Latin Food Festival at American Dream Mall
This is HUGE!  Touted as the biggest Latin Festival in New Jersey, the Saborland Latin Food Festival certainly seems so.  There are over 100 food vendors, going on from Friday through Sunday with live and DJ music, entertainment, games, rid, es and more.  It all happens at the American Dream Mall and I bet that's the only mall big enough to accommodate this.  Tickets sell out quickly so get yours now.

BCAS Late August Walk
The Bergen County Audubon Society (BCAS) has their late August walk through the Teaneck Creek Conservancy at 20 Puffin Way.  The BCAS Walk begins at 10 Saturday morning and wraps up 2 hours later.  This is not for very young children.  A free event, they ask that you register so that they can contact you if weather causes this to be recheduled.

BBQ Extravaganza at the Meadowlands
Saturday is another food festival at the Meadowlands - BBQ Extravaganza from 5 to 11.  Both food trucks and local restaurants will be there with their best barbecue food because this is a competition.  Winners will be in 4 categories: chicken, pulled pork, brisket and ribs.  This fun event is a nice night out plus you can go to the races too!

Escape The Dream Lab for Giirls
Honestly, I don't know what an escape room is.  But, this is under the auspices of the Girl Scouts and sounds like a lot of fun.  It's from 10 to 2 on Saturday and looks like a lot of actve puzzles and challenges to figure out.  It also seems like a team building exercise too.  Check out the website and if I had a young daughter, I'd do it for sure with her.

Busterstock
Busterstock is a free 3 hour live concert Saturday night, 7-10, to help fight drug addiction.  When you come, please consider doonating to the Buster Spike Lucky Elkin Marri Love and Luck Fund.  All proceeds go to the Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources.  One of their initiatives is Buster Boxes to diistribute free narcan  throughout Bergen County,  Location is the Paramus Library Bandshell (116 E Century Rd).

Band On The Sand: Spare Roots
Spare Roots is a band that blends many different styles together from Americana to hard rock.  Through the Wyckoff Y they are giving a free concert Saturday at 4 pm.  If you want to hear some uniquely creative music that they originate in front of you, bring a chair or blanket and enjoy!  They Wyckoff Family YMCA is located at 691 Wyckoff Ave and the concert is held at their Spring Lake.

Lawn Games at Ross Dock
Ditch electronics and go back in time a bit to enjoy traditional lawn games.  From 10:30 to 3:30 on Saturday, lawn games are free to the public.  Held at the Ross Dock Picnic Area, you have a spectacular setting alongside the Hudson River just north of the George Washington Bridge.  

8th Annual Food Truck Festival & Car Show
Sunday is the 8th annual Food Truck Festival and Car Show put on by the Mahwah Recreation Department.  This event grows bigger every year and is now a major Bergen County event.  In addition to classic cars and loads of food trucks, there's also all sorts of family fun, music, beer garden and more.  It runs 11-5 Sunday at the Mahwah Municipal Building (475 Corporate Drive).

Music at the Barn
The 2026 Music at the Barn Concert Series was impacted by rain.  However it should be fine for this Sunday and they're doing it rain or shine.  Johnny Rosch & Friends are playing soul and rock starting at 4:30 for 2 hours.  Bring your chair or blanket to the historic Wortendyke Barn (13 Pascack Rd, Park Ridge) for this free summer concert.

AND Don't Forget - 
Butterfly feeding at the Tenafly Nature Center on Sundays and Yoga for the Soul on Saturday mornings plus the ongoing tours of The Hermitage in Ho-Ho-.Kus

The real estate market is about to start the fall season.  Things pick up dramatically through early November.  The fall season has become more important over the years.  Sellers love tbeing here for December holidays and closing before the 1st.  Buyers love moving between Christmas and New Year's because it's easier to take time off then.  2026 will follow this pattern.

I hope you have a great week ahead and get to enjoy at least 1 of these events.