There are a few things in life that are inherently good. In my opinion, those include: live music,…read morecarnival food, thrill rides, good weather, quality time with friends, and animal freak shows. The Union County Music Fest provides all of the above and more, and all at the super low price of ... well, NOTHING! Let's start with the logistics. First of all, it would be nearly impossible to get to Music Fest without a car, so I'm lucky my Jersey-dwelling pals offered to drive. Second, Music Fest is held in association with the county fair, which accounts for the rickety and slightly scary rides, the carnival food (funnel cake, anyone!?), and the Anibal freak show. Freaks on display included a zebra/donkey cross breed, sheep with five legs, and a midget bull. Awesome! Now on to the music. There was a great mix of styles on display, and the three bands I saw each provided a very different experience. First I saw The Zombies, a '60s psychedelic band that was popular with the older crowd, but still were pleasantly enjoyable. For me, the highlight of the evening was getting to see Robert Randolph and the Family Band, who were absolutely spectacular. His mix of rock, funk, rhythm and blues, and gospel is not to be missed and I was totally blown away by his incredible work on the pedal steel. In fact, I was so impressed that I weaseled my way backstage after his set so that I could tell him I was hooked and will definitely be seeing him again soon. See the attached picture for visual proof. Headlining Sunday night was Spoon, another band that I really like. They were better than when I first saw them a couple of years ago in NYC in a venue that I hate, and the crowd was very receptive. The threat of rain kept many people away, which was too bad for the bands but good for me and my friends. We were right up near the front for both Robert Randolph and Spoon. A few of my friends were there for the Saturday lineup as well, and they said it was much more crowded, which isn't a surprise since the weather was so much better. Saturday's performers included headliners Train (not my thing, but ok), OK Go, The Bravery, and several others. The festival also boasts a small stage for local bands, as well as a pop/dance area, which seemed popular with the tweens. I hear there was also a human freak show on Saturday, but unfortunately it was not open Sunday. I'm excited to see who will be back for Music Fest in 2011, but it will be hard to beat the experience I had there yesterday.

For Union County, this was a great festival. However, it was poorly put together also…read more First off, we did the smarter thing and used Uber to get to and from the event because I heard parking was a disaster. Also, there were very few signs. When you did park, you had a bit to walk but there were no signs that told you where to go. I think they need better signage and more lighting in the dark as I almost twisted my ankle walking over. The craft beer garden was $9 a drink, which was a bit high. And you didn't get to sample anything before you bought it (also note get your token beforehand) so careful how you spend it. Though, they had some great beers there. The waits weren't too long surprisingly. However, the lines for some of the food trucks were way more. Many food trucks already sold out of food when I got there Saturday night. Meh. But thankfully there were plenty that were more well prepared. The rides were a little pricey also at $1.50 a ticket and some of the rides at 5 tickets. Eek. I think I'd go again but they do need some improvement. Also, more lighting would be appreciated all around. This review doesn't include the concerts because I didn't bother with that. If you angled yourself properly in the food truck/carnival area, you got a GREAT view of the MainStage for FREE FYI.

Attended the craft festival for the first time last Saturday. I was able to purchase 2 tickets on…read moreGroupon for only $8 and they are normally $10 each at the door. It was a pretty large space filled with numerous vendors selling many things... Jewelry, handbags, artwork, soaps, food items, furniture... So many things to look at and many foods to sample. They also had a small food court area set up with seating to take a break from shopping. It was a nice way to spend a couple hours of my afternoon but unfortunately I didn't purchase anything. The few things that really caught my eye were pretty pricey in my opinion. However if I was shopping for a gift this would have been a great place to find something. I saw many happy shoppers walking with filled shopping bags...

Great afternoon for the 2nd year in a row enjoying some different & interesting crafts & art. This…read moreisn't the same old arts & crafts I see most everywhere. The vendors come from all over, prices are pretty reasonable & the items are top notch. Thinking this will be a yearly visit.

It was good the year they had it. Then we went the next and it wasn't there. There was no notice…read morethat the fair was cancelled.

Great Street Fair... spread out all over downtown Westfield. So many vendors selling so many…read morethings. Lots of food to choose from and plenty of activities to keep the kids busy. Great place to spend a leisurely Sunday walking around...

One of my favorite shows to attend as a comic artist/small publisher. Always a very solid guest…read morelist and a really easy venue for loading and unloading products and inventory. The staff is really helpful and very responsive when securing reservations.

From the owner: New Jersey Comic Expo is an annual event held at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in…read moreEdison, NJ each fall. Join us this year on November 18th and 19th for a celebration of comic books and pop culture that showcases the exceptional works of talented writers, artists, illustrators and creators of all types of pop culture. At New Jersey Comic Expo you can find exhibitors promoting and selling all types of related products, as well as entertaining and educational programs, guest signings and meet & greet sessions with celebrities. The Liberty Science Center will also be hosting an array of children's activities throughout the weekend, and kids under 10 are free with the purchase of an adult ticket. What are you waiting for? Get your tickets NOW!

2016. Celebrating Fall in its early days in downtown Westfield is also a good way to showcase your…read morebusiness. However, I see that they actually jacked up their prices. Lovely to peruse unique trinkets and different works of arts. Music. Speaking of which, this young band of four, The Vaughns was quite impressive! And they hail from Springfield, NJ. And Then there's the Empanada Guys. The only food truck worth lining up for in this event. Get the guava and cheese for your desert. Que ricoh!

Just like Cranford, I've also been to the fairs in Westfield ever since I was a kid. I've enjoyed…read morethe kid-friendly activities when I was much younger, but now I have to enjoy the event like an adult. The fairs in this town have never disappointed me, and it's still just as good as before. I also never had an issue with parking for the fair, which was a huge plus. This fair was located in the heart of downtown Westfield. Numerous tents set up by vendors were everywhere, selling various items from arts and crafts and sports memorabilia to home improvement and pet-sitting services. Non-profit organizations were also there to collect donations. A stage was also set up for local music performances and karate demonstrations. Let's not forget about the food vendors. Not only were there vendors in tents, but there were also those set up in their own food trucks. Various food items were sold at this event. Items such as gyros, fried Oreos, funnel cakes, and fried chicken were available from those vendors to the people who waited in long lines. Fresh squeezed lemonade and ICEEs were sold there too. The fact that I didn't smell oil used for frying from the vendors was a HUGE plus. Some businesses had also set up their own tents in front of their stores so they could sell some of their merchandise. That merchandise ranged from shoes to clothing. Nothing from there appealed to me, but it was nice to see what was on display. Those businesses picked a good day and time to set up an outdoor sale in front of their shops. How can you not love free samples? Bovella's Bake Shoppe was outside of their own store and gave away free samples of their cake. It was delicious! Also, 92.3 AMP FM was there and gave away free packets of FruitVines Bites Cherry-Flavored Candy. That was also good. Overall, these fairs are always as good as it gets!

Stopped by the fair on a very warm Sunday afternoon. I decided to take the train instead of driving…read moreand it is very conveniently located basically across the street from the train station. There were many vendors to check out and they had a nice selection of items. They also had a specific area set aside for the food vendors but there wasn't much seating. I only saw a few tables and chairs set up. As far as food they had a nice selection to choose from. I had a great empanada from Empanada Monster, some boardwalk fries, and your traditional twist soft ice cream cone. They also had the Cousins Maine Lobster Truck, and the Thai Food Addict Truck. I thought the prices were very reasonable. They were even selling cans of soda and water for $1.00 They also had a DJ to provide some entertainment and a bouncy house for the kids as well as some games to play. Very nice street fair...

Ever since I was little, my parents would take me out to the fairs, particularly the ones in…read moreCranford and Westfield since we obviously lived close-by to these areas. We go to these events every year to see what was being exhibited. The bigger size of the fair, the better, since there would be a lot on display for the visitors to see and possibly buy. We were always fond of the fairs in Cranford and Westfield because of it's sizes, and this year, this fair is still big, thus giving me the chance to see a lot on display. This fair was located in the heart of downtown Cranford. Various food vendors were available, selling different kinds of meals and snacks, particularly fried foods. Other vendors were selling crafts that they made, like candles and tiny picnic tables which were meant to hold salt and pepper shakers. More vendors also sold classic toys and sports memorabilia. There were also different organizations and companies onsite for distribution of various services (like Vivint and FIOS). Some of the tables from those organizations had little "Wheel Of Fortune" games for the kids. I certainly remember playing those games when I was a little boy in the 90s at the fairs. Overall, I'd say all of that was interesting. If that wasn't enough, there were some classic cars on display on one little side street. There actually wasn't that much, but it was enough for me to look and enjoy what was being shown. Who doesn't like looking at old, classic cars? If I had a favorite out of what I saw, I'd say it was the Porsche. I didn't recall seeing those cars at the Garwood event a few months ago. As I walked around, I got overwhelmed by the smell of the oil that was used for the fried foods. I wasn't amused by that. That also left me wondering whether or not the oil was replaced recently prior to the actual frying procedures. The smells were obviously not too far from the booths where the actual frying was taking place. The big size of the fairs in Cranford will always make me a fan! :D

Love visiting Rutgers Gardens through the seasons! If you come in fall, don't expect much in bloom,…read morebut this place is wonderful to hike and stroll through with its various paths. If you visit in spring or summer, get ready for stunning flora and fauna that is cared for by Rutgers staff and students. I adore the lilacs that's smell delicious and envelope a walkway like a natural ceiling. So amazing! Also, I adore the wide open fields and spaces that lend themselves perfectly for a picnic or spot to lay down a blanket and enjoy a nap out in the open. PS. Very romantic spot- if you're coming here for a date, you will not be disappointed!

Rutgers Gardens, located on the New Brunswick campus of Rutgers University, is a botanical garden…read morethat is free and open to the public. I was looking for a new dog friendly park and Rutgers Gardens fit the bill. Visitors can explore the themed gardens like the Rain Garden, Herb Garden, Bamboo Forest, and Heylar Woods. The gardens host educational programs, a farmers market, and workshops throughout the year. There are a lot of glowing reviews here and I'm not sure if maybe my timing was off or most people don't venture off the main areas here. We parked near Heylar Woods and chose the blue trail which is along the water. The one major thing both me and my daughter noted immediately was the sound of traffic from Route 1 and Route 18. The non-stop buzz of cars and trucks takes away from the beauty of the surrounding nature. Further into the trail the trash all along the water is crazy. Aside from the trash and weird foam along the edges of the river, we ran into some kind of big dead animal in the water. We decided to turn back and check out the Bamboo Forest. It was a little cool out so we decided to skip the short walk and hop in the car. We parked near the field lab. Tucked away behind the building is the small but very cool Bamboo Forest. One big thing to note here, which they do warn about on signs, is the ticks. Me and my daughter came out unscathed but my poor pup ended up with a few ticks (despite the cold temps).

Not an expert on these types of expos but had a great time. Lots of varieties of rocks, gems,…read morefossils etc. Plenty of parking (free), crowded but not jam packed, easy access to bathrooms). Kiddo loved the "Scoop on poop" exhibit - small but educational and fun. 4 stars only because I think $20 entry per person (or $18 if you buy online) including for kids over 3, is a bit much considering you're going in order to buy things and spend money. Would still recommend but could be an expensive day for a large family. You should at least let kids go free up to 12 or something.

From the owner: 2020 SHOW DATES: Wednesday, April 15 thru Sunday, April 19 The Junior Ballroom will again be…read moreaglow with ultraviolet mineral specimens. This huge family-friendly show and sale features common | intermediate | investment grade mineral specimens, fossils, dinosaurs, meteorites, gemstones, artisan jewelry, amber, turquoise, emeralds, beads, findings, gold, silver, crystals, cabochons, science gifts, metaphysical, interior decor, petrified wood, craftsman jewelry boxes, tools, supplies, and so much, MUCH more! Prices are 60% to 90% lower than museum stores, gift shops, and jewelry outlets because this is where they come to buy. This is a 2-4 hour family event that keeps the kids busy with activities and the adults happy perusing all the amazing items and learning new things.

Just went strawberry picking here on 6/1. After around 45-50 minutes drive we arrived around 11 and…read moreparked in the field. Great organization form the staff manning the parking. From there it was a short walk to the entrance and $5 ticketing. Bring cash as everything is cash only. If not there is an ATM by the port-a-potties (and another by the fruit weight and check-out). To the left of the parking lot is a $7 entry per kid playground. I couldn't drag my 4 yo away but once we did pay we discovered that a lot of the equipment was too hot to use. A short tractor ride leads to the picking fields; there's enough room and it wasn't too buggy but definitely bring a sun hat and apply sun block. There is one port-a-potty at the fields. Before getting on the tractor back you weight and pay for your berries and present a slip to get on. There are picnic tables with umbrellas and several "selfie stations". They sell local honey and some underwhelming burnt burgers and hot dogs. Skip that, and go to the BBQ trailer towards where the playground is, nice guy manning the grill when we visited and they have chicken, beef, and pork with a few sides available. Quick drive from NYC and will be recommending them to friends for a fun outing.

Cash only place but they do have an ATM onsite with small service fees!…read more At least when I went on October 1st. It was $20(Kinda Pricey) for entrance but it includes a good amount of things to do. I added a picture that lists what all is included. When you arrive, there's a hay ride that takes you to the festival from the parking lot! Very kid friendly and lots of photo opportunities. My favorite part was the corn maze and the pumpkin patch. There are a few things that aren't included in the price. I saw a pumpkin cannon launcher that was extra and it was pretty cool to watch! The food isn't amazing and a bit pricey but it's to be expected really at something like this! They had BBQ, lemonade stand, funnel cakes, Playa Bowls and one of the food trucks had seafood. Over all a good experience to visit once a year with larger group on nice fall day, support your local farms and farmers!

10/3/26: "Prost y'all" It was our first visit to the…read moreDeutscher Club. We came for Octoberfest!!' Cost $10 admission Non members $ 5 admission members. All the food and drink lines were very long. Think the fest could've used a lot more servers. However, once you were waited on, the food was served up quickly. In fact, my bf literally waited 30 minutes in one line just to get drinks. We shared a Bratwurst platter w/Spaetzel & German Potato salad $12 + Potato pancakes, & applesauce $8.00. The Bratwurst with mustard was super tasty! The Potato salad was EXCELLENT!!! Pancakes were somewhat greasy. Someone in the food line said that the pancakes were much better last year. By the time we finished eating, we noticed the dessert line was gone. Went up and spoke with someone and they told me that the desserts go very quickly. (It's something we have to remember for next year to order dessert first). A Big Shout out goes to Don Bittlerich & Die Heimatklänge who performed wonderful German Polka music. There's parking on the premises. However, the club has a wonderful shuttle from a local Acme mall parking lot. You don't even have to wait long for the shuttle coming or going. Already looking forward to 2027 Oktoberfest!

My husband just became a member so we went for a Friday night dinner after a long work week. We…read morewent early because I was starving and got a seat at the bar. The friendly bartender got us our drinks and the young waitress gave us a chance to get settled before taking our orders. I had the DC Burger, a tasty patty cooked medium rare with sauteed onions, mushrooms, and Swiss. Hubby had the wurst platter with mashed potatoes and gravy and cabbage. We both cleaned our plates. The other folks at the bar were friendly and happy to swap stories. I was even reunited with a family friend I hadn't seen since my wedding! I'm looking forward to many more lovely nights!