The Weekend: A Time to Celebrate

This is a weekend to celebrate. 
All over our little section of the county, celebrations of various kinds will take place: Celebrate South Orange, India Fest, even a celebration of the re-established bees at the arboretum!  Read on for a listing of these events and others happening locally during the next few days, then get out there and party!

If you want to stay in Millburn, here's what's going on:

The South Mountain Conservancy will host a hike of historic sites in Millburn, including the paper mills, the quarry and the railroad line and an old farm pond.  Learn about Millburn’s industrial past with leader Dave Hogenauer.  No need to register – just show up at the Locust Grove parking lot, opposite the Millburn Library on Glen Avenue.  Free; Saturday at 9:30 a.m.; Millburn

Downtown Millburn is home to more than 170 first-floor storefronts and restaurants.  This weekend merchants will offer special sales and promotions outside their businesses for a fresh-air sidewalk sale, so come on downtown and stroll the event.  Free; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Looking for more?

South Orange’s party of the year will bring the community into the streets of downtown for an afternoon and evening of live music and entertainment; a kid zone including carnival games, face-painting and more; a juried craft show; and Restaurant Row with local restaurateurs, caterers, and food vendors.  Don’t miss the famous Sloppy Joe Eating Contest!  Free; Saturday 2 to 9 p.m.; South Orange

Immerse yourself in the culture and cuisine of India this Sunday when the Sanskriti of NJ host their 4th Annual India Fest. Held at the , the fest offers a variety of cultural programming, shopping for Indian clothes and arts, games and crafts for children, and Indian cuisine.  Free; Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Livingston

After a hive devastating event early this spring, the bees at the have been repopulated by arboretum's bee keeper, Joe Lelinho.  Celebrate the return of the honeybee hive exhibit this weekend with a Q&A with Lelinho, and check out the great bee products available for purchase.  Free; Saturday at 1 p.m.; Short Hills

interACT Theatre Productions, one of Essex County’s newest community theatres, will present a night of favorite musical theatre songs from both stage and screen at the .  The reception begins at 7 p.m. with the show at 8 p.m.  Proceeds will benefit interACT.  $25; Friday and Saturday 7 p.m.; Maplewood

hosts author Tina Kelley as part of the 3d Saturday Arts Night series.  Kelley, on staff at Covenant House, will read from her new book Almost Home: Helping Kids Move from Homelessness to Hope.  The author wrote the book with Kevin Ryan, Executive Director of Covenant House, which has a stated  mission “to help homeless youth escape the streets.”  Free; Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Maplewood

The South Orange Elks have created a community garden, with help from our friends at Rent Party.  The produce grown in the garden will be donated to local food pantries and senior citizens centers.  Join in the good works and celebrate at the ribbon cutting ceremony on the lawn of the.  Free; Saturday at 1 p.m.; South Orange

Adults over age 18 are invited to the for a free hearing screening.  Free; Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Maplewood

For the first time, the annual book sale conducted by the Friends of the South Orange Library will take place at .  Come out and support the library by purchasing books and more.  Sunday is the $5 bag sale!  Free; Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., South Orange

Lunatic Fringe is closing out their 15th season of providing hysterical improv with a performance on Luna Stage in West Orange.  Don’t be afraid to bring the family – this group keeps it appropriate for anyone over 10 years old.  $12 at the door; Saturday at 8 p.m.; West Orange