Events March 28, 2026
Mar 19 - Apr 3, 2026
Easter and Springtime Family Festival
please see website for schedule of activities
Location: Alstede Farms, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ 07930
A fun day for the family! Enjoy farm hayride, baby farm animals, Easter Egg hunts, games, roast marshmallows on the campfire and lots more!
For complete details, visit http://alstedefarms.com/
Events after March 28, 2026
Mar 31, 2026
Beer Dinner
6:30 Gathering with light Hors d'oeuvre to start
Location: Redwoods Grill and Bar
Call for your reservations for our Firestone Walker Beer Dinner Thursday March 31 at 6:30 Join us at Redwoods Grill and Bar for a special menu of Hors d'oeuvre & A 5 course meal paired with 6 different beer from Firestone Walker. $47.00 per guest plus tax and gratuity
Apr 2, 2026
Opening Day at Cooper Gristmill
10:00 am - 3:30 pm
Location: Cooper Gristmill 66 State Route 24 Chester, NJ 07930-2411 - (908) 879-5463
Celebrate the 38th season at Cooper Gristmill! Discover its amazing history, take a guided tour of the water-powered machinery on all four floors, and learn how much flour can be produced daily.
Admission: (Suggested Donation for Mill Tours)
$3 Adults, $2 Senior Citizens, $1 Children 4-6, FREE for children under age 4
Friends of Fosterfields and Cooper Gristmill members - FREE with valid membership card.Discounted fees for special events.
For additional information, please call 908-879-5463.
Directions: Copper Gristmill is located on County Highway 513 (old Route 24) in Chester Township, NJ. 1.3 miles west of the Route 206 intersection.
GPS: 66 Washington Turnpike (old state route 24), Chester, NJ 07930
Online Map Directions: 74 County Highway 513, Chester, NJ 07930
Apr 7, 2026
Wine & Cheese Celebration: A Toast to Spring!
5:00 pm-9:00 p.m.
Location: You're Not in Kansas Anymore
Come in and Toast Spring! To celebrate, we are hosting an evening of shopping with wine and cheese, as well as 20% off our pre-season all spring/summer styles. Sale continues through Sunday, April 10 Goody bag with purchase!
Apr 9, 2026
Highlands Backyard Tree Fruit Seminar
9:30 am - 12:30 am
Location: Alstede Farms, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ 07930
You will have the opportunity to practice pruning techniques for apples, peaches, and summer & fall bearing brambles. You’ll also be able to ask questions about all aspects of fruit tree and small fruit tree care. Pruning demonstrations will focus both on newly planted trees, mature trees, and abandoned fruit trees that need to be rescued.
Apr 17, 2026
Pooch Smooch Photography at Well Bred
11:30-5:00
Location: Well Bred, 25 Main St, Chester NJ
Always wanted artistic photos of your pets? Now you can! Well Bred will be hosting Pooch Smooch Photography for spring session. Please call for the appointment at (908)879-6569. Check Pooch Smooch website for prices or call us! Bring your dogs, cats and kids too!
Apr 23, 2026
Free Ice Cream Day
10 - 5
Location: Alstede Farms, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ 07930
Come and enjoy a free ice cream cone or cup of our delicious homemade ice cream at Alstede Farms!
Apr 27, 2026
“Caring for Your Family’s Treasures” Workshop
7:00 pm
Location: Chester Library, 250 W Main St, Chester, NJ 07930
Deb Schiff, the Chester Library's Local History Librarian, will present an overview of techniques and methods of preserving letters, diaries, scrapbooks, works on paper, photographs, slides, textiles, audio and video recordings, and other historical objects. She will also demonstrate how to use archival supplies to protect your family's treasures, and share her secrets for where to shop for reliable supplies online.
Register online at www.chesterlib.org.
Apr 28, 2026
An Evening of Wine and Chocolate
6:30 Gathering 7:00 First Course
Location: Redwoods Grill and Bar
An Evening of Wine and Chocolate on Thursday April 28th Gathering starts at 6:30 p.m. First course at 7:00 p.m. Call early to make your reservation Contact Sean or Janet 908-879-7909 $50.00 plus tax & gratuity
Apr 30, 2026
Downton Abbey: Fashion and Social Change
11:00 am
Location: Chester Library, 250 W Main St, Chester, NJ 07930
Susan J. Jerome, Collections Manager at the University of Rhode Island Historic Textile and Costume Collection will be at the Chester Library to present her program "Downton Abbey: Fashion and Social Change" on Saturday, April 30 at 11 am.
This program explores the many social, technological, and political changes that occurred throughout the time period depicted in Downton Abbey and how these changes influenced fashion. She will also look back at what was fashionable – real or otherwise and discuss some of the influential designers and other persons involved in the years of the first five seasons.
Register online at chesterlib.org or call 879-7612.
May 5 - 26, 2016
Sip & Shop Nights at Country Curtains
4:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Country Curtains
On Thursdays May 5, 12, 19 and 26 from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m., Enjoy complimentary refreshments as you relax, shop and get answers to all of your decorating project questions!
May 6 - 8, 2016
Country Curtains Mother's Day Weekend Events
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Country Curtains
Celebrate Mom with a fun-filled day of shopping and prizes. Friday May 6 through Sunday May 8 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., get free design consultations, enter a gift basket raffle, and get 20% off a single full-priced item!
May 8, 2026
Mother's Day Brunch
9 am - 2 pm
Location: 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester NJ 07930
It starts with a Hay Wagon Ride around our beautiful Farm and ends at Harvest Hall with a delicious all-you-can-eat buffet brunch in our relaxed, friendly, farm environment. Reservations are required with hourly seatings from 9 - 2 with the last reservation is at 1 pm.
May 8, 2026
Free Ice Cream For Moms
10 - 6
Location: Alstede Farms, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ 07930
Celebrate mom - bring to Alstede Farms for a FREE ice cream cone!
May 12 - 15, 2016
Celebrating 20 Years
5:00 p.m.
Location: Redwoods Grill and Bar, 459 Main St, Chester, NJ 07930
Help us celebrate 20 years of being part of our community.
May 13, 2026 marks our 20 year anniversary as Redwoods Grill and Bar. We want to thank you by celebrating with you the whole weekend!
Friday May 13th at 9:00 p.m. Scott Monetti will be playing in the main dining room. Grab a seat in front of the band and a ticket to the buffet for $29.99! May 12th, 14th, & 15th Every night for dinner... -Live entertainment in the bar (no cover) -Full buffet for $19.96 (the year we opened)
Call for further details 908-879-7909
May 14, 2026
Born to be Shorn
11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location: Cooper Gristmill 66 State Route 24 Chester, NJ 07930-2411 - (908) 879-5463
Celebrate our 12th anniversary of hand-sheering sheep, meeting baby lambs, seeing how fleece is processed and made into garments, and trying your hand at weaving and spinning. Create a craft to take home. Cost: $3 Adult, $2 seniors, $1 child
-----------------------
Admission: (Suggested Donation for Mill Tours)
$3 Adults, $2 Senior Citizens, $1 Children 4-6, FREE for children under age 4
Friends of Fosterfields and Cooper Gristmill members - FREE with valid membership card.Discounted fees for special events.
For additional information, please call 908-879-5463.
Directions: Copper Gristmill is located on County Highway 513 (old Route 24) in Chester Township, NJ. 1.3 miles west of the Route 206 intersection.
GPS: 66 Washington Turnpike (old state route 24), Chester, NJ 07930
Online Map Directions: 74 County Highway 513, Chester, NJ 07930
May 14 - Oct 31, 2025
The Historic Chester Courtesy Coach
Weekends and Monday Holidays
Location: See complete details below.
Explore and Experience Historic Chester...for FREE!
A complementary transportation service− THE HISTORIC CHESTER COURTESY COACH − is available to and from 2 of Chester's renowned locations. Runs on weekends and Monday holidays (from May 14th to the end of October 2015) to enhance your Historic Chester Experience.
Details of Service
* From Gladstone/Peapack NJ Transit Station to Alstede Farms at 12:05pm & 1:05pm
* Continuous loop from Alstede Farms to the Historic Shopping & Dining District on Main
Street from 12:30pm to 5:00pm with stops cycling every 20 minutes.
* From Alstede Farms to the Gladstone/Peapack NJ Transit Station at 5:30pm & 6:30pm
THE HISTORIC CHESTER COURTESY COACH stops are marked by signage with the official logo and are located at:
*Alstede Farms (Back Parking Lot)
*92 Main Street (Next to the Chester Clock)
For details, call 908-879-7189
**The Historic Chester Courtesy Coach is sponsored by Alstede Farms and The Historic Chester Business Association.
May 14, 2026
Introduction to Beekeeping
9 am - 12 pm
Location: Alstede Farms, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ 07930
This course will take you through you everything you need to get started, from equipment, hive location, breed selection, biology, pest, and disease control. Seminar Participants will examine a nucleus hive and hive a 3lb package of bees.
May 15, 2026
Chester's 16th Annual CLASSIC CAR SHOW
10:00 am - 3:00 pm - Plus All-Day Shopping 'till 5pm
Location: Historic Chester, NJ
THIS YEAR'S SHOW IS BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER!
On Sunday, May 15th, Chester will be bursting with Two Thrilling Auto Exhibits!
*Classic Cars, Trucks & (NEW THIS YEAR)...*Military Vehicles Exhibit at Historic Downtown Main Street
*Antique Tractors Exhibit at Alstede Farms
FREE Transportation to each location via Trolley Car from 11am to 4pm.
*Event is FREE to the Public*
Exhibitor Registration - $10
*Classic Cars, Trucks & Military Vehicles register at the top of Perry Street.
*Antique Tractors register at Alstede Farms.
(This Sunday Only! Enjoy Free Ford Model T Depot Hack Rides with Farmer Kurt between Alstede Farms and Downtown Chester between 12:30 and 4 PM)
Schedule of Events
- 8:00 am - 10:00 am: Exhibitors Register their Vehicles
- 10:00 am - 3:00pm: Show times
- 3:00 pm: Trophies awarded at each of the two exhibit locations. Vehicle must be registered to be eligible for trophy.
Trophy Categories are as follows:
Historic Downtown Main Street Exhibit
• Best Engine
• Best Truck
• Best Paint
• Peoples Choice
• Best in Show
• Top 5 Winner
Alstede Farms Exhibit
• Best Antique Tractor
• Best Antique Truck (Farm Related)
plus All Day Shopping throughout Chester! Musical entertainment includes DJ-Doc South.
Portion of proceeds to benefit a local charity - Cancer Hope Network.
Stroll Chester's charming, brick-lined sidewalks with over 80 specialty shops featuring antiques, crafts, clothing, jewelry, home furnishings, pet products, confections and wonderful eateries. For brand-name shopping and additional dining, visit The Streets of Chester Shopping Center. There is something for everyone here in Historic Chester, NJ!
Questions? Contact Toni Perry at [email protected]
--------------------------------------------------------------
*About the Military Transport Association
For more than 35 years, the Military Transport Association (MTA) has been dedicated to the care and preservation of vehicles which are the symbol of the soldiers who served with them. A non-profit organization, the MTA is dedicated to public service, and perform many good works, including active programs to support our local National Guard units and their families while they are deployed defending us.
May 17, 2026
"The Dog Merchant" Author Talk
7 pm
Location: Chester Library 250 West Main Street Chester, NJ 07930
We love them with all our hearts, but do we really know where our dogs came from? Kim Kavin, author of LITTLE BOY BLUE, will be at the Chester Library to discuss her recently released book, "THE DOG MERCHANTS - Inside the Big Business of Breeders, Pet Stores, and Rescuers".
The book reveals the complex network behind the $11 billion-a-year business of selling dogs and is a must-read for dog lovers. It is being featured everywhere, from the New York Post to Business Insider to Parade to The Bark and is current a number one new release in its category on Amazon. Kim Kavin is an 11-year resident of Long Valley. Local readers may know her from her 2012 book “Little Boy Blue: A Puppy’s Rescue from Death Row and His Owner’s Journey for Truth”. The story was featured on CNN and helped end the use of a gas chamber in the North Carolina shelter where Blue originated. Register online at www.chesterlib.org.
