Union County Weekend: Four Centuries, Rahway Day, Fallapalooza

Good morning, Union County.

This is a history weekend. Four Centuries in a Weekend opens more than 30 historic sites across the county for free on Saturday and Sunday, with a special focus this year on the nation's 250th. Around it: Rahway Day on Saturday, a Trail of Terror in Mountainside for the rescue squad, Springfield's Fallapalooza on Sunday and a fall festival at Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit.

All weekend

Four Centuries in a Weekend, Saturday and Sunday at more than 30 sites countywide. Admission is free. Hours vary by site, and several are open Saturday only, so check the county's site list before you go. Pick up a Union County Passport at your first stop and get it stamped at each one. A few highlights:
- Liberty Hall Museum, Union: free tours of William Livingston's 1772 home depart on the hour starting at noon. Family Fun Day runs Sunday, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
- Deserted Village of Feltville, Berkeley Heights: hayrides, cider pressing, campfire marshmallows and old-fashioned games in the Watchung Reservation.
- Fanwood Train Station Museum: open noon to 5 p.m. both days in the county's oldest train station, built in 1874, with railroad exhibits and a collection of American flags.
- Hetfield House, Mountainside: noon to 5 p.m. both days, with a hand-painted miniature diorama of the Battle of Bunker Hill. The Levi Cory House next door is open too.
- Crane-Phillips House, Cranford: guided tours noon to 4 p.m. both days, plus a "Cranford in the American Revolution" exhibit.
Destroying David, American Theater Group's East Coast premiere of Jason Odell Williams' solo play, wraps its run at Union Arts Center in Union on Sunday.
Downtown Cranford Candy Stroll, Saturday and Sunday from Eastman Clock Plaza Park. Tickets include a tote, a map of participating stores and a $5 Downtown Cranford gift card. Tickets are limited.

Friday

Viaje Tropical, 8 p.m. at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway: Tony Succar with Mauricio Mesones, salsa and Latin rhythms.
Heads up: the Latino Urban Fest at the Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth has been canceled.

Saturday

Rahway Day, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rahway Rec. The Rahway Chamber of Commerce's community day brings out local businesses, nonprofits, schools and service providers. Free, rain or shine.
Electronic Recycling and Clean Communities Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Mountainside Borough Hall lot, 1385 Route 22 East. Put electronics in your trunk and staff will unload them. Cleanup volunteers can pick up gloves and bags at the old DPW garage.
Red Lion Inn sign unveiling, 11 a.m. at the Elizabeth Public Library, 11 S. Broad St. The restored sign marks the site of a colonial-era tavern tied to the library's history. Part of Four Centuries in a Weekend.
Littell-Lord Farmstead, Berkeley Heights, Saturday only: farmhouse tours plus a fishing derby, live music, food trucks, a spooky trail and pumpkin painting, with George Washington making an appearance. Details on the county's site list.
Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free Horticulture & History Tours at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Fall Festival at the Scotch Plains Public Library, the library's fifth annual, starting at 10 a.m.
Heart of Oak Field Music & Colonial Games, 2:30 p.m. at the Linden Free Public Library.
Cranford Carve-Out & Parade of Pumpkins at Hanson Park.
Saint James Parish Festival, last night, in the church parking lot at 45 S. Springfield Ave., Springfield: rides, games, food, a beer tent and live music.
Trail of Terror and Haunted House, 6 to 9 p.m. at the Mountainside Rescue Squad, 1399 Route 22 East. Admission is $5 this year and goes toward a new ambulance and equipment. Mini-pumpkin painting while supplies last.
Four Year Strong, 8 p.m. at Crossroads in Garwood.

Sunday

Springfield Fallapalooza, from 11 a.m. around the Springfield Municipal Building on Mountain Avenue: a car show of exotic and classic cars, a kids' zone with pony rides and a petting zoo, a costume contest from Springfield Recreation, food trucks, live music and a beer garden. Free to attend; the inflatable zone is $5.
Celebrate Fall at Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit: a spooky trail, crafts, games, goats and market vendors. $15 for non-members, free for members and children under 3. The lot is closed, so plan on street parking or walking.
The March to Yorktown at the Frazee House, Scotch Plains: Generals Washington and Rochambeau greet visitors, with music by the NJ Fife & Drums Corps. Part of Four Centuries in a Weekend.
Declaration reading at UCPAC, noon in Rahway: a short program on Revolutionary history in and around Rahway, ending with a reading of the Declaration of Independence (Four Centuries).
Navesink Brass in concert, 2 p.m. at the Summit Free Public Library.

Around the county

Plainfield moves toward a downtown hotel. The City Council voted unanimously this week for a memorandum of understanding with BEA Hospitality Group on a 90-room boutique hotel on city-owned land near Park Avenue and Seventh Street, beside the Plainfield Performing Arts Center. The city would sell the site for $500,000. A redevelopment agreement, sale agreement and site plan approval still have to come. (TAPinto Plainfield)
Union pushes back on Kenilworth's data center. The Township Committee hired a planner and a law firm, at up to $15,000 each, to review approvals for the CoreWeave data center being built in Kenilworth, after residents packed Tuesday's meeting. (TAPinto Union)
Leaf permits are on hold in New Providence while the borough waits on a state fix to county disposal limits. Bagged leaf pickup continues. (TAPinto New Providence)
Three Union historical groups will each get $1,000 grants for projects marking America's 250th. (TAPinto Union)

More events are on the Union County events calendar. Have a good weekend.