FREE!! A NIGHT AT THE OPERA PLUS A PREVIEW OF OUR LAST TWO CONCERTS

JULY 31: 

At one time, Hunterdon County was home to FOUR opera houses -- in Flemington (the last to close in the mid 1940s), Lambertville, High Bridge and Clinton.  As part of the 300th's retrospective of 300 years of music heard in Hunterdon, we are bringing you a special concert at Deer Path Park this Thursday, July 31.  A magical night of OPERA:  Colatura Soprano Susan Whitenack and Tenor Steven Snow will be joined by their friends, pianist Rosetta Bacon, Soprano Madeleine Evarts, and Bass Gabriie Gonzalez for a night of beautiful voices and music.  Their program follows below:

PROGRAM 

Opening Duet and Ensemble: “Libiamo” from La Traviata, Verdi 

Aria: “O mio babbino caro” from Gianni Schicchi, Puccini 

Aria: “Una furtiva lagrima” from L’Elisir d’Amore, Donizetti 

Duet: “Barcarolle” from The Tales of Hoffmann, Offenbach 

Aria: “Dein ist mein ganzes Herz” from The Land of Smiles, Lehar 

Aria: “Musetta’s Waltz” from La Boheme, Puccini 

Duet: “My Heart is So Full of You” from The Most Happy Fella, Loesser 

 

INTERMISSION 

Aria: “Be My Love” from The Toast of New Orleans, Brodszky-Cahn 

Aria: “Think Of Me” from The Phantom of the Opera, Webber 

Duet: “All I Ask of You” from The Phantom of the Opera, Webber 

Aria: “Adele’s Laughing Song” from Die Fledermaus, Strauss 

Aria: “Nessun dorma” from Turandot, Puccini 

Duet: “You Are Love” from Show Boat, Hammerstein, Kern 

Finale Duet and Ensemble: “Champagne” from Die Fledermaus, Strauss 

AUGUST 7:

Join us for a fun night of SWINGING and dancing under the stars with Vince Petinelli's Orchestra.  Following the performance, the FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR that was delayed on July 3rd will go off with all of its sparkling, exploding power and glory!  Please arrive early with your picnic dinner or take our family friendly LINK bus service to avoid the congestion of parking at Deer Path Park on August 7th.  Please see our website for details at www.hunterdon300th.org.

AUGUST 14:

In celebration of the Beatles coming to the United States for their first appearance 50 years ago the 300th presents the original Broadway cast of BEATLEMANIA!  Three costume changes and a spectacular light show will surely enhance the experience and make sure you are right there with the Fab Four in '64!  Please note that this is a program change from the original brochure and program guide put out by the County Division of Parks and Recreation earlier this year.

THESE EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!  

TAVERN TOUR TYPO CORRECTION, JERSEY SHADES AND OUR SUMMER SALES SPECIAL!

TTT= TAVERN TOUR TYPO!
JUST WHEN WE THOUGHT OUR LAST BLOG ON TAVERN TOURS WAS TERRIFIC -- WE WERE ALERTED OF A TAVERN TOUR TYPO!  PLEASE NOTE THE GLEN GARDNER FABULOUS TOUR IS NOT SEPTEMBER 21 (SUNDAY) BUT SEPTEMBER 20TH (SATURDAY).... MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW AND WHEN THIS BLOGGER HAS MORE INFO ON TICKET ACQUISITION IT SHALL BE SO NOTED HERE FIRST!

FREE CONCERT UNDER THE STARS:
THURSDAY NIGHT, JULY 24 THE FABULOUS 50S COMES TO DEER PATH PARK IN THE 300TH'S RETROSPECTIVE OF MUSIC HEARD IN HUNTERDON OVER THREE HUNDRED YEARS.... NO BOBBY SOCKS, POODLE SKIRTS OR SADDLE SHOES REQUIRED! JUST BRING YOUR COOLER, BLANKET OR CHAIRS AND A FUN ATTITUDE!  SHOW STARTS AT 7 PM.

SSS = SUMMER SALES SPECIAL!
FYI, OUR NEW HUNTERDON COUNTY FLAG DESK SET HAS ARRIVED!  EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A COUNTY FLAG FOR OUR TRICENTENNIAL..... SO WE ARE RUNNING A SUMMER SPECIAL:  BUY ANY 300TH T-SHIRT AND GET THE FLAG FOR FREE --  THIS FLAG SHOULD BE SELLING FOR $5, BUT WE WILL BE SELLING THEM, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST, FOR 300 PENNIES!  WE'LL HAVE PLENTY OF T-SHIRTS -- SIZES SMALL THROUGH 3XL AND PLENTY OF FLAGS AT THE CONCERT TOMORROW NIGHT AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO GIVE OUT OUR FAMOUS 300TH BUG BANDS TO HELP KEEP THE SKEETOS AWAY WHILE SUPPLIES LAST AND ON THE CONDITION YOU SAY "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HUNTERDON COUNTY!"

TAVERN TOURISTS: THIS BLOG IS FOR YOU!

Because our Tavern Tours have become one of our most popular events we have had this year, this blog is devoted entirely to changes on our Tavern Tour Calendar: notably additions and substitutions.  

For you Tavern Tourists who line up outside the Choir School to make sure you snag your tickets, we are announcing an addition to our calendar with ONE HUNDRED tickets as well as one new tavern addition! 

AUGUST 21:

NEW! AN EVENING AT THE FRENCHTOWN INN: THE HISTORIC TAVERNS OF NJ

A Tavern Tour on steroids!  Join New Jersey tavern historian and expert Dennis Bertland for an evening of fabulous hors d'oeurves from the Frenchtown Inn's kitchen with wine to compliment the fare. 

The Tricentennial Committee takes over the Frenchtown Inn for a wonderful evening of food, drink, fellowship and even a presentation on New Jersey's historic taverns!

Although some seating will be available, consider this event more like a "business casual" cocktail party for the most part -- talk, mingle, eat, drink, wander!

Several wine stations will be available and servers will pass hors d'oeurvres throughout the evening. In the Inn's back "River Room," historian and tavern expert Dennis Bertland will present his video "The Historic Taverns of New Jersey" as well as a discussion on NJ tavern history.

$75 PER PERSON AND INCLUDES WINE.

The Frenchtown Inn, Bridge St, Frenchtown
6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
100 tickets available beginning August 2nd at the Choir School on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm, at Tricentennial official events, or by special arrangement by calling (908) 788-2030 while tickets last.

SEPTEMBER 21:

HISTORIC TAVERN MENU, VIDEO AND PERFORMANCE AT THE GLEN GARDNER INN (circa 1760) This Tavern Tour is being HOSTED BY THE BOROUGH OF GLEN GARDNER rather than the Hunterdon Tricentennial Committee as original planned.   We are very happy that this is one of two Special Municipal Partner events on September 21 by Glen Gardner.  Please see our calendar for information on their Municipal Open House.

Enjoy an historic menu and drink (cash bar will be available) in one of Hunterdon's finest historic inns (reported to have the honor of holding the oldest liquor license in the same location in the state of New Jersey).  View a video of historic Glen Gardner photos and be a part of a live 1956 interview with William Banghart, Station Agent for the Glen Gardner railroad station.  
$40 PER PERSON
161 Main Street, Glen Gardner
2 seatings are available: 
12 pm & 1:30 pm
60 people maximum per seating
PLEASE NOTE:  RESERVATION INFORMATION TO BE ANNOUNCED; THE TRICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE WILL NOT BE TICKETING THIS EVENT!!

OCTOBER 11:

NEW!TAVERN TOUR - NATIONAL HOTEL, FRENCHTOWN
Enjoy a wonderful meal in one of Hunterdon's finest historic inns. while a special guest lecturer provides information on the early history of Frenchtown.
Details coming soon! 
12 pm - 3 pm 
$40 PER PERSON
Limited seating.

NOVEMBER 8:

HISTORIC MENU, TAVERN TOUR AND LECTURE AT THE TEWKSBURY INNEnjoy a wonderful meal in one of Hunterdon's fine historic inns while listening to a Special Guest Lecturer.  NEW! The 300th is partnering with Zion Lutheran Church, celebrating it's 300th year, to make this an extra special event!
$40 PER PERSON

55 Old Turnpike Road, Oldwick
Maximum of 40 People
12 pm - 3 pm

CONCERT SPECIAL, FAMILY FRIENDLY FREE FARM FUN, AND AUGUST TICKETS!

IT WOULDN'T BE A RETROSPECTIVE OF MUSIC HEARD IN HUNTERDON COUNTY OVER 300 YEARS IF WE DIDN'T HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF COUNTRY!

TOMORROW NIGHT WE HAVE A SPECIAL TREAT -- TRACY LEE & THE RAVINE ROAD BAND
The Tracy Lee Band is a Lehigh Valley, PA - based top 40 & classic country rock cover band, fronted by popular female country vocalist, Tracy Lee. Tracy Lee and Ravine Road bring a unique mix of current and classic female country music, and has the ability to turn it up a notch, and deliver some energetic classic rock performances to their live show.

And to add a little more fun to the event we are offering a Concert Goers Special at our Sales Table tomorrow night -- what? you ask.... well, you'll have to be at there at the concert to find out!  

TRY SAYING THIS THREE TIMES FAST:  Sunday, July 27th from 10 am to 4 pm, the 300th has partnered up with our friends at the Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead -- the location of not only an amazing museum of our agricultural heritage but also the location of perhaps the oldest structure still standing in Hunterdon County -- for their annual Farm Fest -- we've underwritten the event so the event is  FREE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.... 

FAMILY FRIENDLY FREE FARM FUN! 
FAMILY FRIENDLY FREE FARM FUN! 
FAMILY FRIENDLY FREE FARM FUN! (so much easier to type it than say it! but even easier to ENJOY it!). 

Some of the fun events and demonstrations include crafters demonstrating the everyday existence skills needed to survive in the 1700 and 1800s including:  Blacksmithing • Basket Making • Colonial Outdoor Cooking • Flax Breaking • Rug Hooking • The Lost Art of Lace Making • Old Time Hand Quilting • Wool Spinners at the Wheel • Chair Canning • Bee Keeping • Coopering Buckets •Rope Twisting • Herb Garden Display 

Children's events include: Hoops • Quill Pen Writing and More • Petting Zoo Live • Ice Cream Making 

There will also be a Draft Horse Field Exhibition, weather permitting, from noon to 4 pm with Field Mowing, an open stable area and "Big Pony" Draft Horse Rides for both adults and children!  HOW FUN IS THAT!

AUGUST TICKETS -- Dog Days of Summer won't keep our birthday celebration down!  We have some really cool (like ice cream) and hot (like author Elizabeth Gilbert) events!


Ice Cream Social for Teens and Tweens:  On August 3rd we offer up on a hot, Hot, HOT day a very cool event for our Teens and Tweens -- a good old fashioned Ice Cream Social.  That's right -- in the Victorian Era park in Flemington behind the Historic Courthouse, one hundred 10 to 18 year olds will be treated to ice cream sodas, Make Your Own Sundaes and really fun lawn games. Hosted by the Dairy Princess and 4H Leadership, kids can cool down on a hot day with treats supplied by our Super Sponsor Shop Rite!  

August 6th is Just In Time for August 20th!:  What could be more appropriate in early August than a talk about the History of Hunterdon County's Fair -- not that long ago "The Flemington Fair."  Terry Wright, a member of the Fair Committee, will not only talk about the Fair, but also provide us with a wonderful powerpoint presentation of historic pictures of the Fair.  Some of these pictures have not been seen in decades.  Talk about Hunterdon having the WRIGHT Stuff!

Hunterdon Has the WRITE Stuff!  On August 9th, Hunterdon Resident, best selling author, business owner and world traveler Elizabeth Gilbert has agreed to do a special lecture entitled "Big Magic" and booksigning for the 300th.  She will give a fascinating talk about the process she went through when writing her last book "The Signature of All Things" and discuss how living in Frenchtown and Hunterdon County has inspired her projects. 

On August 13, County Surrogate Susan Hoffman concludes her three part series with an interesting discussion about the history and importance of the probate process. If you haven't been to one of Susan's talks yet, don't miss this one -- she is smart, witty and has incredible knowledge on the historical documents held by her office.

Another Fun Free Family Event falls on Saturday afternoon, August 16th when Gordon Thomas Ward brings us Story Songs of History.  Gordon has researched lost story songs -- many with historic topics about the railroads of Hunterdon and environs, the Lenape Indians and the Revolutionary War -- and brings them back to life.  

We take a break for the Fair (visit us there!) and take our sales table back on the road for our final official event for the Summer is on August 26th for a fascinating lecture by Kingwood Historian Sal DeSapio who will talk about the Lenape Indians who resided in Kingwood.  We have had many requests from lecture goers wanting more information on the Lenapes in Hunterdon and how the land was acquired from them -- here's your chance to find out and learn more!

Tickets for all of the above events are FREE and available on-line through our website www.hunterdon300th.org and Eventbrite or at the home of the Tricetennial, The Flemington Choir School, 3 Chorister Place in Flemington every Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm.

MUsic and MUseums for Your AMUSEMENT!

Mid July already!!!???! Where has the time gone?  The Tricentennial Committee keeps moving along organizing new events and lectures (we've added several already to the calendar for this fall and winter!).  MUsing over the last 6 months, we realize how busy we have been!  Summer means slow down, take it easy, nice drives, outdoor concerts, picnic..... You can do all of those things with us over the next week!  For your aMUsement we have our own 300th version of slowing down:

MUSIC:  In a salute to turn of the 20th Century music heard in Hunterdon County, the Hunterdon Harmonizers will perform mostly traditional Barbarshop Quartet music on Thursday, July 10th at 7 pm at Deer Path Park.  

Following a brief intermission, at 8 pm, brass band music will be featured. Hunterdon County census data from the early 1900s lists a number of people's occupations as "Brass Band Musician."  

Under the baton of Conductor Dr. Stephan Arthur Allen, the Princeton Brass Band, founded in 2004, will delight concert goers with an hour long performance of music for all generations.  The Princeton Brass Band is the 2013 Champion Band of North America (NABBA) and is one of the leading creative and artistic forces in the growing North American brass band scene.

See their award winning performance at 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRyA4kDQ2t0

Concert Attendees visiting the Hunterdon Tricentennial tent will receive a birthday present in celebration of Hunterdon's 300th while supplies last!

 

MUSEUMS:  Happy Birthday, Hunterdon!  To celebrate our County's history, on Sundays July 13th and July 20th, most of the museums of Hunterdon County will be open and free to the public frOm noon until 4 pm; some wilL be open earlier or be open until 5 pm.  

A brochure listing each museum, their photograph, a description and address will be available at all museums.  Visitors may go to any one as a starting point, receive a brochure and then visit several museums each afternoon.  Your blogger suggests planning a "South County museum crawl" one day and a "North Crawl"  on the other Sunday to maximize this amazing opportunity.  

Some of the museums participating include:

 Alexandria, The Prevost House 

Annandale, 1759 Vought House 

Califon, The Station at Califon 

Clinton, Hunterdon Art Museum 

Clinton, Red Mill Museum Village 

Flemington, Doric House 

Flemington, Samuel Fleming House 

Flemington, Choir School 

Flemington, Historic Courthouse 

High Bridge, Solitude House 

Lebanon Township, Township of Lebanon Museum 

Kingwood, Oak Summit School 

Lambertville, James Wilson Marshall House 

Lambertville, Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead 

Raritan, Case-DVoor Farm 

Readington, Readington Township Museums 

Ringoes, Black River & Western Railroad 

Stockton, Prallsville Mills 

Tewksbury, Tewksbury Historical Society 

Union, Union Forge Heritage Assn, Solitude Heritage Museum 

 

FYI, the Tricentennial's headquarters, The Flemington Choir School, is also participating and you can pick up a brochure there as well on Sunday at noon as your starting point if you are in the area!

Looking for August tickets?  They should be available next week!

FIREWORKS RESCHEDULED AND CONCERT MOVED -- READ HERE FIRST!

DUE TO ONGOING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE FIREWORKS SCHEDULED FOR THIS EVENING FOLLOWING THE CONCERT HAVE BEEN CANCELLED AND MOVED TO AUGUST 7TH AT DEER PATH FOLLOWING THAT CONCERT.

THE CONCERT FOR TONIGHT, THE ALLENTOWN BAND, HAS BEEN MOVED INDOORS TO THE AUDITORIUM AT HUNTERDON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL.

HAPPY FOURTH, EVERYONE!