Bedminster Inviting Neighboring Towns to September's Fall Fest

Planning is well underway for this year's Bedminster Fall Fest, with a date set for Saturday, Sept. 21, from noon to 5 p.m. at River Road Park off Route 202/206 south.

And this year the planners are inviting their neighbors from throughout the Somerset Hills area.

New games and rides are being planned for this year, including bouncy rides, lots of live music and new food vendors, said Bedminster Township Committeewoman Staci Santucci, reporting to the Township Committee on Monday morning.

Admission this year to the longtime festival will be $5 per person, but that money will be split for donations between seven local volunteer community organizations, Santucci told the Township Committee.

Those organizations include the Far Hills-Bedminster Fire Department, the Pottersville Volunteer Fire Co., the Far Hills-Bedminster First Aid Squad, the Bedminster Township Parent Teacher Organization, Friends of the Clarence Dillon Public Library, Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House and The Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster, said Bedminster Township Administrator Judy Sullivan.

Sullivan said that three bands will be featured this year at the popular annual festival, which will be open to residents from throughout the area, not just Bedminster Township.

Sullivan said the township is trying to arrange signage in time to dedicate a new hike and bike pathway leading from the park to the Clarence Dillon Public Library, and also a bench dedicated to former mayor Robert Holtaway, located at the Jacobus Vanderveer House.

The community festival has been held each fall for about a dozen years, but a few years ago was discontinued due to tight municipal finances.

The Bedminster Business Association and a private charitable foundation picked up the slack one year with "Bedstock." But the annual event was returned to its location at River Road Park, with some changes.

Sullivan said that the township now charges vendors to help pick up the cost, with a charge of $100 fee to members of the business association and a $150 vendor fee to all others. 

She said that sponsorships for businesses, offered at levels of $1,500, $3,000 and $5,000, also help cover the expenses.

Each year, township families arrange to meet at the event, and enjoy shared activities, say those who return each year.