Nothing Says Fall Like The 'Old Fashioned Country Fair' In Bedminster

BEDMINSTER, NJ — Friday marks the first day of fall and nothing says autumn in the country more than colorful leaves, fresh apple cider, horse-drawn hayrides, bluegrass music, pumpkins and scarecrows.

The Raritan Headwaters’ 38th annual Old Fashioned Country Fair will offer a full day of fall activities, food and live music on Sunday, Oct. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve.

“Country Fair is a great day of outdoor family fun, and it has been a tradition in the Somerset Hills since 1980,” said Cindy Ehrenclou, executive director of the Bedminster-based watershed watchdog. “We invite the community to come out for a fun day in the country that supports Raritan Headwaters’ mission of protecting clean water.”

Perennial favorite activities include wagon rides with a team of Clydesdale horses, a field maze, pumpkin painting, scarecrow dressing, beekeeper demonstrations, and appearances by the Raptor Trust and Tewksbury Foot Bassets. New this year will be a pumpkin sling for launching mini-pumpkins across a field.

There will also be falconry, a visit from friendly alpacas, and a sculpting demonstration by artist Dona Dalton. The Somerset Hills Garden Club will again have a table where fairgoers can make wildflower “seed bombs” to create colorful meadows.

Live music will be provided throughout the day by singer and songwriter Maribyrd, and Bex Eatery will serve local, seasonal food. Sweet Pea Ice cream will sell homemade ice cream from their Eco-Friendly Truck, and the Daughters of the American Revolution will sell delicious home-baked treats.

The Country Fair will also feature local vendors selling produce and specialty goods. Flip Side Farm CSA will show off its baby pigs and fresh vegetables, Dogwood Farms will sell fresh produce, Glynn Chestnut will sell colorful handmade fabric animals and dolls, Bob Morris Associates will sell imported paper products like lanterns and Advent calendars, and the Mount Lebanon Soap Company will sell handmade artisanal soaps.

Admission to the Old Fashioned Country Fair is $25 per vehicle, and the event will be held rain or shine. Admission can be paid the day of the event, or for faster parking on arrival, purchase admission tickets in advance online at https://goo.gl/oQdutk.

Proceeds from the Country Fair support RHA’s mission of protecting the water in rivers, streams and homes through environmental education, community well testing, stream monitoring and cleanup, research and open space preservation.

Fairview Farm is located at 2121 Larger Cross Road, Bedminster. For more information, contact Jody Marcus at jmarcus@raritanheadwaters.org or 908-234-1852, ext. 320.

(Image via Raritan Headwaters: Old Fashioned Country Fair)

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