EVENTS: Summer Activities Continue in Basking Ridge, Nearby

For those of you who are looking for ways to enjoy your summer, there's plenty of options during the next few days.

It's really a staycation to get away to the Quick Chek festival ballooning, now in operation for its 30th year, at the not-very-far Solberg Airport in Readington Township.

There's other things to do even closer to home, whether enjoying the next great production of outdoor theater at in Basking Ridge — a production of "Inherit the Wind," as presented by Trilogy Repertory Co. — or some nearby farmers markets.

You also can enjoy either a ride or stroll at off S. Maple Avenue, with either a horse or your hound (generically speaking, of course.)

And for those who still insist this isn't their season, there's always a chance to celebrate "Christmas in July." See below:

Quick Chek Festival of Ballooning
When/Where: Friday (1-10 p.m.), Saturday (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and Sunday (6 a.m. to 8 p.m.), at Solberg Airport in Readington, offers much, much more than ballooning.
Why Go: Ride in a tethered balloon, enjoy Eddie Money, food and much more, and prove to yourself that New Jersey really does have a wide sky in some parts of our state.
Cost: General admission, adults, advance $20, $30 on day; kids 4-12, $10 and $15, more info. at balloon festival website.

"Inherit the Wind"
Where/When: Show time at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, July 27-28, and next Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 3-4, at the outdoor amphitheater at , off Valley Road in Basking Ridge.
Why Go: Because you can see some classic drama — a staging of a play based on the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial involving a teacher who taught evolution in the 1920s — in a beautiful setting, as performed by the increasingly well-known Trilogy Repertory Co. Bring lawn chairs and/or blankets.
Cost: Free, or donation. For information, call Bernards parks & recreation dept. at 908-204-3003.

Introductory Western Ride at Lord Stirling Stable
Where/When: Registration open for Sunday, Aug. 5 at 10 a.m. Western-style ride and introductory lesson at in Basking Ridge.
Why Go: Because you haven't ridden yet, and you'd like to try; or you haven't ridden for a while, and you want a refresher; because you want to enjoy a trail ride without making a commitment.
Cost: Official deadline is end of Thursday prior to each ride, walk-in registration must be done at stable office, open 7 days at week at 256 S. Maple Ave. Fee $35 for Somerset County residents, $45 for out of county. For more info, call 908-766-5955.

Bernardsville Farmers Market
When/Where: Saturdays, through the season, at the train station off Mine Brook Road just south of Olcott Square in Bernardsville.
Why Go: Because you can get the bounty of the season, fresh as can be, as well as gourmet goodies. (Hey, this is the Somerset Hills!)
Cost: Free admission, cost of purchases.

Saturday Night Dog Walks at Lord Stirling Stable
When/Where: Meet at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday evening for 7 p.m. strolls with you, your dog and other canine and human friends on the trails at Lord Stirling Stable, 256 S. Maple Ave. in Basking Ridge.
Why Go: Enjoy time out on the trails — with the dog walks as the only sanctioned walk that allows those on foot (or paws) to explore Lord Stirling's property.
Cost: $3, with pets to be leashed at all times. For more information about the program, call Martha at 973-635-8672.

Christmas in July
When/Where: Friday at 7:05 p.m. at  in Bridgewater.
Why Go: Who doesn't love a little baseball and a little bit of the holiday season during the summer? The Somerset Patriots, in conjunction with the David's Touch Foundation, is asking guests to bring a new and unwrapped toy to the stadium. Each fan that brings one will be given a free complimentary ticket to a future game.
Cost: $9.50, depending on your seat.

Garage Sale
When/Where: Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. on Mallard Drive in Martinsville.
Why Go: It's a family garage sale with pet items, appliances, books and more!
Cost: Costs depend on what you buy.

Dinosaurs Make TD Bank Ballpark Jurassic Park
When/Where: Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at TD Bank Ballpark.
Why Go: Field Station: Dinosaurs is coming to TD Bank Ballpark, and bringing their 15-foot animated T-Rex with them to shake hands, take pictures and throw the first pitch. Plus, there's a game against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.
Cost: $9.50, depending on your seat.

Win $10,000, Watch a Ball Game
When/Where: Sunday at 5:05 p.m. at TD Bank Ballpark.
Why Go: In addition to a regular game, guests are going to have the opportunity to win $10,000, in addition to a pre-game motorcycle show and parade.
Cost: $9.50, depending on your seat.

Summer Concert Series With the Chi-Lites
When/Where: Sunday at 7 p.m. at  in Bridgewater
Why Go: The Somerset County Park Commission's Summer Concert Series continues with a performance by The Chi-Lites, one of the all-time top R&B groups!
Cost: Free.

Swimming Lessons
When/Where: Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the .
Why Go: Because the summer is here and we love swimming! The Starfish Aquatic Club will be offering swim lessons to children of all ages through mid August. Visit the website for more information and to register.
Cost: $80 for all lessons.

When/Where: Saturday at 8 p.m. at the
Why Go: Because you loved Journey in the 80s, and you can hear a tribute to them
Cost: $20 for adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for kids; children under 10 free with an adult ticket.

When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at the Morristown & Morris Township Library Why Go: You're looking for a little music to start your weekend off right.
Cost: $20

When/Where: Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. (Sunday at 2 p.m.) at the Morris Museum, Morris Township
Why Go: You love the theatre, dahhling.
Cost: $25 to $45

When/Where: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Urban Farm at Lafayette, Morristown
Why Go:  and can't make the on Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: Bring your wallet


When/Where: Saturday, 9:30 a.m. at Temple B'nai Or, Morristown
Why Go: You have young children and want to sing songs on the lawn and make crafts.
Cost: Free

When/Where: Saturday, 10 a.m. from Morris Tourism Bureau, Morristown
Why Go: You want to explore some of Morristown's rich history.
Cost: $12

When/Where: Sunday, 4 p.m. at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, Morristown
Why Go: You like bluegrass, especially in Macculloch Hall's beautiful gardens.
Cost: $8

When/Where: 11 a.m. Friday, , Shunpike Rd & Southern Blvd, Chatham,
Why go: Learn what foods to buy and what foods to avoid when shopping for your family's diabetic or prediabetic.
Cost: Free, but bring your wallet