Fishawack Festival Returns To Chatham For 51st Year

CHATHAM, NJ — The annual Fishawack Festival returns to downtown Chatham on Saturday, June 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine.

Footraces, live entertainment, an outdoor pub, a kids' fun zone, a food and dining pavilion and artisan craft vendors are among the activities planned by The Chatham Borough Community Services Department and the MyChathamNJ Advisory Committee.

Fishawack was established in 1971 by Chatham's Chamber of Commerce as an event to commemorate Chatham Borough's heritage while also supporting local businesses.

According to John T. Cunningham's 1967 book, Fishawack was the Lenni Lenape word for the Passaic River, and because Chatham's section is the narrowest, the natives would cross the river at Chatham on their seasonal migration along the Minisink Trail.

This year's festival will include a Turpin Realtors-sponsored pub at Reasoner Park until 6 p.m. Live music will be performed at the Gazebo, which is sponsored by Atlantic Health System – Overlook Medical Center.

The annual Fishawack Run will also be held by the Chatham Jaycees. The one-mile fun run will begin at 9 a.m., followed by the four-mile race at 9:30 a.m. Entrants are encouraged to pre-register, which they can do at https://runsignup.com/Race/NJ/.

Registration for the Fishawack Run is $30 and closes on Thursday, June 9.