Civil War Weekend

Step onto the battlefield and watch the 2nd NJ Brigade during a staged skirmish and feel the ground shutter with the firing of the massive period cannon. At the soldiers’ camp, speak to soldiers about their wartime experiences. Witness authentic cooking, artillery and bayonet drills, medical tents, Signal Corps, and more. It all comes to life! Free parking and shuttle services.

Date: Saturday, June 22 & Sunday, June 23
Time: Saturday - 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday - 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Historic Speedwell, 333 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown
Cost: $7/adult; $6/senior (65+); $5/child (4-16), and FREE for children under 4.
Contact: 973-285-6500

Fairy Day

Fairies are coming in time for the Summer Solstice and houses need to be built! Families are invited to celebrate the 7th Annual Fairy Day and build a home for these visiting wee folk. Greet the fairies with music and fairy snacks, and learn which plants and trees attract them. All supplies, such as bark, branches, lichens, mosses, feathers, stones, and leaves are provided, or bring your own as long as it’s natural. Fairies shun man-made materials.

All the fairy houses are on display through the end of July. To see photos of previous Fairy Houses or to get ideas for your own house, visit
www.arboretumfriends.org.

Date: Sunday, June 23 (Rain date Sunday, June 30).
Time: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue, Morris Township.
Cost: $30, preregistration is required 973.326.7603.
Contact: 973-326-7603.

Frantic Fun Run 5K

The Frantic Fun Run 5K on Tuesday, June 25 is a rare opportunity to run through the 19th century Fosterfields Living Historical Farm in Morris Township. Runners receive custom moisture wicking t-shirts, and awards. Enjoy the post-race party including raffle prizes, DJ entertainment, and food.

Course Map

Preregister by June 20 at www.raceforum.com/frantic.

Preregistration: $20
Day of Registration: $25

Schedule:

5:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. : Registration
7 p.m. : 5K Start
7:45 p.m. : Awards and post-race party (approximate time)

For more information call, 973-326-7616.

Campout on the Beach

For the most unique and convenient camping experience, come to Sunrise Lake Beach for this fun family overnight event! Bring a tent or rent one, and choose your favorite spot on the beach. Arrive at 4 p.m. for swimming, build sand castles on the beach, play volleyball, and bring your own favorite picnic dinner.

For an added fee, play on the Wibit, an inflatable water obstacle course on which kids of all ages can run, jump, slide, and just have an overall blast! You can even rent a paddle boat for a picturesque ride around the lake. As night falls, enjoy the roaring campfire, scrumptious s’mores, beach games and more. The next morning, wake up to the sunrise over the lake, and savor a delicious breakfast provided for you lakeside. Don’t forget to bring the camera, as this is truly a memorable event!

Date: Friday, June 28 (Rain date Saturday, June 29)
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Sunrise Lake Beach Club, Lewis Morris County Park, 270 Mendham Road, Morris Township.
Cost: $35/family of 4
Contact: 973-326-7616 or recreation@morrisparks.net.

Celebrate July 4th!

A NEW Venue for Fireworks - July 4th Celebration takes place in Lewis Morris County Park! You can begin your day at Sunrise Lake with swimming, boating, and have all out fun on the Wibit, an inflatable obstacle course. Bring your picnic lunch or enjoy the concession stand yummies. The beach is open 10 a.m. and closes at 5:30 p.m., and regular admission fees apply.

For those who prefer, arrive at 7 p.m. for picnicking and musical entertainment including the Old Barracks Fife and Drum Corps, and the Morris Music Men Barbershop Quartet. Hear the National Anthem sung by the amazing local 12 year old Audra Stowers, and award-winning Joe Sodano, “Whistling Entertainer of the Year”. A dazzling display of fireworks will top off the day, and Sunrise Lake Beach reopens to enjoy the reflection of the fireworks on the water!

Date:  Thursday, July 4
Time: 7 p.m. Musical Entertainment and picnicking. Beach area reopens.; 7:30 p.m. National Anthem; 7:45 - 9 p.m. Solid Brass Quintet; 9 p.m. Fireworks
Location:  Sunrise Lake, Lewis Morris County Park, Morris Township
Cost: FREE
Contact: 973-326-7616

Colonial Times Revisited!

Travel back in time and revisit the Colonial era when the Jonathan Ogden family lived in the original farmhouse at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm. You can experience their life through farm and domestic chores that were typical during the late 18th century. On the farm, discover farming methods used during the American Revolution, and learn how broom corn is grown and made into brooms. Have fun with fibers by washing and carding fleece from the farm’s sheep, and try your hand at using drop spindles.

To complete the visit to the farm, be sure to take part in playing some Colonial era games such as graces, cup and bowl, and rolling hoops. Join a special tour of The Willows, a Gothic Revival mansion to learn about former resident Rosanna Revere, wife of General Joseph Warren Revere.

Date: Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7
Time: 12 Noon – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Road, Morris Township
Cost: Admission
Contact: 973-326-7645

Fright Night Skate

It’s time to celebrate Halloween...in July! Back by popular demand, Fright Night Skate returns to the inline rink at Central Park of Morris County. Join the Jerzey Derby Brigade and DJ Earl for a spooktacular Halloween party with skating, DJ entertainment, games, contests, prizes, and more. Enter the costume contest and win a prize! Admission is FREE so bring family and friends and enjoy an evening of ghoulish good fun. Don’t forget your skates!

Date: Friday, July 12
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Location: Central Park of Morris County, 91 Central Avenue, Parsippany, NJ 07954
Cost: FREE!
Contact: 973.326.7616 or recreation@morrisparks.net

Civil War Encampment

Honoring the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, camp activities are brought to life all weekend long at Civil War Encampment. Meet ‘Abe Lincoln’ and listen to the soldier’s stories told by re-enactors. Experience first-hand demonstrations of drills, build campfires, learn about wartime gear and utilities, view unique artifacts, and much more. Don’t miss the opportunity to tour the soldiers’ camp by candlelight on Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Date: Friday, July 12, Saturday, July 13, Sunday, July 14
Time: Friday: 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Candlelight Tour; Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Candlelight Tour; Sunday: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: Cooper Gristmill, 66 Route 513, Chester Township.
Cost: Suggested donations are $3/adult, $2/senior (65+), $1/child (4-16), and children under 4 are FREE.
Contact: 908-879-5463

Flower Power Family Day

Decorate your wagon, carriage, or stroller and join a flower power parade led by GIANT, fanciful, puppets. Sing along to happy tunes at a concert provided by Ira and Julia Levin.

Date: Sunday, July 21. Rain date: Sunday, July 28.
Time: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue, Morris Township
Cost: $10/vehicle with a maximum of 6 passengers. Additional passengers, $3/adult; $2/child; and kids under 3 are FREE! Members of The Friends of The Frelinghuysen Arboretum are admitted FREE.
Contact: 973-326-7603

Summer Camps: Register NOW!

There are many different camps from ages 2 to 18 that appeal to kids with all kinds of interests. Close to home and reasonably priced, these camps are under the supervision of highly trained and certified professionals. Register now because space is limited.

Check Out Our School Programs

Teachers: Take advantage of our many excellent field trips that are close at hand and offer a wealth of educational experiences at affordable prices. Our lesson topics and objectives are closely correlated to the NJ Core Curriculum Standards as well as the most commonly taught science and social studies topics in local schools. Our programs include hands-on activities, pre- and post- trip lessons, and take home follow-up activities. Professional development courses are also available.

Learn to Skate Program

Sign up for Mennen Arena's Learn to Skate classes. Programs available for three year olds to adults!

 

"What is a Tree Cookie, Anyway?"

Natural ‘tree cookies,’ more special than any store bought cookies, are round slices of tree trunks, not edible, of course. They are now available for purchase at the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center in Chatham Township. Learn more and order your tree cookie!