WEST MILFORD — Saturday is the day! The West Milford Autumn Lights Festival is here again and this community event is expected to draw 20,000 people to the streets of West Milford.
This is the ultimate street fair with over 250 vendors to browse and buy from, many varieties of food and snacks, great entertainment, four entertainment stages and plenty of fun things for the little ones.
Entertainment
There are three entertainment stages with music and dance throughout the entire day. The local entertainment stage is located in Mr. Wong's parking lot. Enjoy dance acts throughout the day from many local studios, try a little Zumba, watch a Karate demonstration and see the West Milford's Got Talent contest.
Music will be plentiful at two stages on Union Valley Road, with varying styles from folk to rock, from country to contemporary. The Music at the Mission stage is located near the top of the road in the Wells Fargo parking lot. Come hear why Music at the Mission is considered one of the very best open mics outside of New York City.
The North Jersey Guitar Center Main Stage at the Pinecliff Lake dam parking lot will feature some familiar bands and some up and coming talent, including Blk & Blu, a young duo from West Milford.
Blk & Blu is 16-year-old Oscar Kienhofer and 15-year-old Bobby Campbell. Oscar started playing the drums when he was in sixth grade and trained with Chuck Burgi, the drummer for Billy Joel.
Bobby's musical interest blossomed in fifth grade when he started playing the saxophone and trumpet. Then his grandparents bought him an acoustic guitar.
Oscar and Bobby met and the two talked about putting together a band. They practice every day, write much of their own music, including hip hop/rap instrumentals. They are scheduled for the main stage at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
Contests
Join one of the many contests at the Autumn Lights Festival, including pasta, pie and pickle. The Cutest Baby Contest will bring out the best in parents; the Animal Costume Contest should bring a few laughs. And the photography contest brings out many of the area's finest photographers. The canines are welcome too. Bring them to the Pamper Your Pooch Stations.
Bring the kids by the ALF entertainment stage to paint a pumpkin or make some Weird Science "goo mess fest."
Parking
Parking is limited. A shuttle bus will run from the Hillcrest Community Center on Macopin Road to the festivities along Union Valley Road. Park at Hillcrest and travel on the shuttle. The West Milford Presbyterian Church is also allowing folks to park in their lot for a donation to the food bank.
Details
The Autumn Lights Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Union Valley Road from Bearfort up to Marshall Hill. Non-profits and volunteer organizations from the township will have tents with information for residents. Stop by and say hello to the volunteers who help keep us safe, support recreation in the township and make the quality of life in West Milford that much better.
And be sure to stop by the ALF tent. Meet the volunteers and supporters who help put this unique festival together.
In case of heavy rain only, the festival will be rescheduled to Sunday, Oct. 13. Check www.autumnlightsfestival.com for any changes.