Harvest Fest Returns In Bloomfield: What To Know About 2023 Event

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Bloomfield Center Alliance. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The most frequently asked question to Bloomfield Center Alliance (BCA) staff since 2019 has been, “When is the Harvest Festival?” The town-favorite annual event, which ran for 25 years and reliably attracted huge crowds, was put on indefinite hiatus due to the pandemic. This year the Bloomfield Center Alliance is pleased to announce that the event is returning with a new flare and more fun. Bloomfield Harvest Fest will take place Saturday, Oct. 7 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the heart of the downtown district known as Bloomfield Center.

One distinct difference from the festival in the past and today is the location. The event will take place on Glenwood Avenue & Washington Street. This move is to make sure the event is close to the BCA’s primary focus – the small, independent businesses within the downtown district. The move also allows the event organizers to manage crowds and entertainment in a more concise area, as the event eases back into the groove.

What can we expect at this year’s Harvest Fest? For attendees who love to shop and support small and locally-owned businesses; the streets will be lined with over sixty vendors representing local restaurants and shops, food trucks, independent retailers, and nonprofit organizations. One of the largest vendors will be Brookdale ShopRite, a long time supporter of the Harvest Fest who is this year’s premier event sponsor.

Speaking on the company’s commitment to this annual tradition, Brookdale Shop Rite President Neil Greenstein states, “It has been an honor to support and participate in the spectacular community event for years. The opportunity to showcase downtown Bloomfield and the wonderful retail stores and restaurants that are available is an amazing by product of this great event. The team at your Brookdale ShopRite, Your Supermarket with a HEART looks forward to seeing neighbors and friends at the Harvest Fest this year.”

Thanks to its partnership with Main Street Pops, a female owned event programming company, many of the participating vendors will be artists and crafts people selling clothing, jewelry, and other collectibles. Nightjar Dispensary, a cannabis business opening soon in Bloomfield Center, is getting involved as sponsor of photo booths that will be onsite so attendees can take pictures and share them on social media. As in past years, visitors will be able to enjoy various refreshments at the Beer and Wine Garden sponsored by downtown business Bloomfield Buy Rite Liquors.

For families and those who are young at heart, there will be an assortment of carnival games, bouncy houses, and obstacle courses within the aptly named Kid’s Corner. Although the event is free to attend, Kids Corner activities will require a $10 wristband for all day play. Bloomfield residents can nab free wristbands for children who attend school in Bloomfield as long as they come with proof of residence (i.e., license) or school enrollment for each child (i.e., ID, or recent report card).

Of course, there will be an amazing variety of music. A full six-hour deejay set on the main stage located on Glenwood Avenue. Live music on Washington St. featuring Guitaro 5000, Tonia Ray & Spice, and Lance and Friends to name a few. The evening will end with a headlining P-funk performance by area band Straight Nasty.

The afternoon will be full of strolling entertainers, free face painting, martial arts demonstrations, and hatchet throwing thanks to Bloomfield Center’s Bury the Hatchet and their portable mobile unit. Many more interesting and exciting elements are planned for the day. The energy for this year’s Bloomfield Harvest Festival is electric!

Referencing the financial support of several businesses and organizations, BCA Director Ollyn Lettman said, “The BCA is extremely grateful to all of the event’s sponsors without whom this event would not be possible. We also thank Mayor Michael Venezia, members of Town Council, and the municipal agencies whose assistance and cooperation has been invaluable in helping us put this all together. We are so excited to have the community come and enjoy themselves in Bloomfield Center at this year’s Harvest Fest.”

Event sponsors include: Brookdale ShopRite, Lynnes Auto Group, Clara Maass Medical Center, Level Up Urgent Care, Bloomfield Buy Rite, Jack’s Super Foodtown, and Nightjar Dispensary.

For more information about the Bloomfield Harvest Festival and other Bloomfield Center events visit BloomfieldCenter.com or follow the Bloomfield Center Alliance on social media @BloomfieldCenter

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