CHARTER DAY STREETFAIR & FESTIVAL
MAY 17, 2008
TO CELEBRATE HISTORY,
THE ARTS,
MUSIC, & FUN
Bernards Township's 14th Annual Charter Day Festival promises to be a fun and festive day with food,games, rides for the kids, local vendors, displays, service groups and reminders of history all joined together at this annual street fair and festival.
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| Above: Govonor Francis Bernard, Governor of New Jersey. (Center) Replica of the offical Charter of Bernardston. (Right) King George II. Click on each image to learn more.
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Expected visitors to the downtown Basking Ridge celebration reach over 10,000, with festivities beginning at 11am, with local, county and state dignitaries present. The Town Crier Hank Barre will conduct the opening ceremonies at 11am.
Charter Day commemorates the anniversary of the May 24, 1760 granting of a Charter by King George II of England, establishing Bernardston Township. This act was as a courtesy and in appreciation for the services of Francis Bernard, Royal Governor of New Jersey 1758-1760, who was leaving to become Royal Governor of Massachusetts.
The Brick Academy, home to the Historical Society of the Somerset Hills will be open for the entire day. On the main floor will be many local artifacts for the public to view. The 1809 classical schoolhouse will be open to the public for the daytime portion of the festival. We hope you'll stop by for a visit.
On the lower floor of the Brick Academy will be an exhibit by the Friends of the Kennedy
Martin‑Stelle 
Farmstead, which is located on King George Road, in Basking Ridge.
There will be a representative of the Friends to answer questions,
in addition to a model of the complex, photographs and literature.
The Kennedy‑Martin Stelle Farmstead was listed on the NJ State
and National Registers of Historic Places in 2002.
Musical entertainment will include musical groups performing on two stages and will include a local "Battle of the Bands" event at the Henry Street stage from 1-4pm.
The Oak Street school field will be the place for kiddie rides, attractions,
moon bounces, slides, and other various rides for kids young and old. The day promises to be one filled with crafts, games, rides, music,
art, food, vendors, historical displays, local school and organizations'
participation.
What better way to celebrate the Township's history than by living it? Happy Birthday, Bernards Township!
Start today and learn more about the wonderful history of Bernards Twp, and the entire Somerset Hills area. Visit http://www.historicalsocietyofsomersethills.org/history101.php and begin your journey!
For additional information regarding exhibits or to request booth space for the Basking Ridge Charter Day Festival, please contact:
Basking Ridge Parks & Recreation Dept.
1 Collyer Lane Basking Ridge 07920
recreation@bernards.org
Tel: 908-204-3003
