Basking Ridge's Birthday Bash — Charter Day — on Horizon

It's the day that's the favorite local event of so many Bernards Township residents. Charter Day is once again expected to draw thousands of teens and adults who expect to meet friends there, local musicians, artists performers who want to display their talents and kids looking for hours of fun — including those students at Oak Street Elementary School must longingly watch rides and attractions being put up on their schoolyard the day before.

This year Bernards Township’s 253rd anniversary will be celebrated on Saturday, May 18. Charter Day, which will fill all of downtown Basking Ridge, is due to begin at 11 a.m. with foods, entertainment and exhibits and last through 10 p.m. with dancing in the street.

Charter Day again will feature a street fair atmosphere, music, street performers, art and history displays, lots of food and amusements on the hill behind the Oak Street School on West Oak Street. This is the 19th year Charter Day is being planned by the township Department of Parks & Recreation.

Parks Director Jen Gander said Charter Day draws about 10,000 visitors annually in a town with fewer than 30,000 residents.

Parking

Parking is available at Ridge High School located at 268 South Finley Ave. and the Bernards Township Municipal Building  at 1 Collyer Lane.  A free shuttle bus will make frequent stops throughout the day to bring passengers downtown to the fair.

The street fair begins in the morning with local businesses, non-profit organizations, school groups, service organizations, and crafters, according to the township parks department. 

"We are proud to be a community focused event with nearly 85 percent of our street fair vendors being Bernards Township based businesses and organizations," Gander said.

"And there will be plenty to eat all day long with food vendors open from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. near the main stage, including many of your favorite fair foods: hot dogs, hamburgers, cheese steaks, sausage sandwiches, funnel cakes, kettle corn, homemade fudge, smoothies, Italian ice and more!" she said.

Many local restaurants also remain open or provide samples of gourmet treats along the streets, which will be closed to traffic. Additional food vendors located throughout the street fair and Oak Street School field along with the amusements.

Opening ceremonies traditionally begin at noon at the main stage in front of The Presbyterian Church of Basking Ridge at 1 E. Oak St., with a wide range of entertainment, including the at the Henry Street stage by the rear entrance to the Oak Street School.

Event maps and schedules and information about Parks & Recreation summer programs and events will be available at the main Charter Day booth. The Bernards Township Library, Bernards Police Department and Bernards Health Department will have information, as with the Beautification Task Force, Agricultural Advisory Committee, Environmental Commission and Shade Tree Commission.

The Shade Tree Commission is using the event to launch its campaign to encourage residents to plant an overall 5,000 trees within the next five years to replace those lost to Hurricane Sandy and previous weather events over the last two years.

The all-volunteer Basking Ridge and Liberty Corner Fire Companies and First Aid squads will have vehicles on display. The Basking Ridge Fire Company and First Aid Squad will be selling cotton candy during the street fair and glow novelties during the evening concert. 

Located at the intersection of Finley Avenue and Oak Street, the Main Stage has a full schedule of musical theater performances by students and local groups, pipe bands, choirs, dance troupes and demonstrations.

New this year: Pre-School of Rock

New this year, sponsored by Farmstead Arts, is a performance by Pre-School of Rock. Real Rock n’ Roll musicians will perform with "unforgettable, undeniable, musical awesomeness for your little one," according to the recreation department.

Preschool of Rock shows entertain by using original tunes, "hip-shakin' dance moves, and exciting instruments and props. We turn up the music without turning up the volume and every show is an educational, roof-raising celebration," the health department said in a release.

The crowd can join in Karaoke, scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m., with sign ups at the stage anytime throughout the day to secure a chance to sing. 

The evening concert at 7 p.m. brings back Hoi Polloi for another year to keep celebrants dancing in the street until 10 p.m. or so.

The Battle of the Bands on the Henry Street Stage, at Oak Street School, will feature nine bands with local middle school and high school musicians.  With event support by Wavelength Studios, the Battle begins at 12:30 p.m. and concludes with the awards presentation at 6 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place including a combination of cash prizes and studio recording time, according to the recreation department.

Student art show and photography competition

Westminster Hall at the Presbyterian Church of Basking Ridge will once again feature our Student Art Show and Photography Competition exhibit. The hall will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to showcase the art on display from local students.

The Parks & Recreation Departments third annual Photography Competition entries will also be on display. The Brick Academy, headquarters of The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills just off the town green at 15 W. Oak St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stop by to see historical exhibits, including the new schoolhouse on the top floor. Gifts and keepsakes will be available for sale. 

Fun for kids

Rides, inflatable amusements and carnival games will be put up to entertain children of all ages on the Oak Street School field from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Strolling musicians and entertainers can be found all throughout the event.