Rain Can't Dampen Charter Day in Basking Ridge

On-and-off sprinkles didn't stopthe 19th annual Bernards Township Charter Day celebration in downtown Basking Ridge, with festivities, friends and food from bringing out a fair crowd, anyway.

Musical events continued through the day, and food being served from booths along South Finley Avenue, closed to traffic, and from restaurants that opened their doors.

Many of the presentations took place on the main stage in front of The Presbyterian Church of Basking Ridge.

Mayor Carolyn Gaziano said the name of Basking Ridge — so called for the animals seen basking on a sunny ridge — was first noted in the annals of The Presbyterian Church of Basking Ridge in 1733.

Along with historic and artistic exhibits, the event brought together 120 street fair vendors, including local businesses, student organizations and civic and government groups, as well as the volunteer firefighters and first aid squads, said Jennifer Gander, chair of the Bernards Township Parks and Recreation Department. She said that volunteers and municipal staff spend all year planning for Charter Day, which is organized by the parks department.