Events April 17, 2026
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!
Events after April 17, 2026
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
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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]
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*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.
May 17, 2026
“Marsupial Sue: A Young Kangaroo”
10:30 AM
Location: The Chester Library, 250 W Main St, Chester, NJ
Lights, Camera, Action! Tuesday, May 17th, 2016, is the big production day! The Westmont Montessori School of Mendham, NJ (westmontmontessori.org) is delighted to perform for the local community at the Chester Library (http://chesterlib.org/). Our musical play this year called “Marsupial Sue: A Young Kangaroo” based off the book by John Lithgow.
Come join the fun during “Storytime” at 10:45 AM and discover how Young Sue really doesn't like being a kangaroo, so she goes off to find something better. First she tries climbing the trees like a koala, but that doesn't work. Then she wades into the sea like a platypus, but that's no good either. Finally, Sue joins up with some bouncy, jouncy wallabies...and discovers that being a kangaroo isn't so bad, after all.
May 21, 2026
Chester Iron Furnace Walk
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Location: Cooper Gristmill 66 State Route 24 Chester, NJ 07930-2411 - (908) 879-5463
* Mill opens after the walk
We will explore the abandoned Chester Furnace site and the Railroad right-of-way. This will be a moderate walk with plenty of off trail exploration. We will meet at the Cooper Gristmill parking lot and drive to the starting point. Cost: $5 per family. Call 908 879 5463 to pre register.
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General 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 22, 2026
Move in Grace presents: St. Lawrence Cares Dinner Fundraiser
7:30 PM
Location: St. Lawrence Church Hall, 375 Main Street, Chester
Move In Grace is proud to partner with St. Lawrence Church of Chester for a 'delicious' fundraiser: St. Lawrence Cares: An evening of great food and fun to benefit two parish families.
Executive Chef Bobby Varua of the Blue Morel (Morristown) will cook an exquisite gourmet dinner.
Entertainment, wine pull, raffle, balloon sale. Tickets: $45.00 (BYOB or wine pull) For tickets call the Parish office: (908) 879-5371 before 5/18/16.
May 30, 2026
Chester's Memorial Day Commemoration Program
10:30 am
Location: Municipal Field Gazebo and Memorial Park
Chester's Memorial Day Commemoration Program
**RAIN OR SHINE**
If rain, the procession will not take place and we will gather inside the firehouse bays at the Chester Firehouse on Main Street at 11am.
10:45am: Assemble at Municipal Field Gazebo
11:00am: Procession to Memorial Park
Beginning at 11:05am:
*Welcoming remarks by Mayor Janet Hoven, Borough of Chester
*Pledge of Allegiance Led by Boy Scout Troop 139 & Troop & performed by all scouting troops
*Remarks by Mayor Bill Cogger, Township of Chester
*Invocation by Pastor Reverend Chris Scrivens, Community Presbyterian Church
Musical Interlude: West Morris Community Band under the direction of Gary Quam
*Remarks by Commander Andrew Honeycheck, American Legion Post 342 Chester
*Star Spangled Banner performed acapella by vocalist Mary Bolio
*Remarks by Robert Buchanan, Chaplain, American Legion Post 342 Chester
Musical Interlude performed by West Morris Community Band under the direction of Gary Quam
*Special presentation in recognition of American Legion 100th year anniversary by Commander Honeycheck to Mayor Janet Hoven & Police Chief David Jara, Borough of Chester &Mayor Bill Cogger & Police Chief Tom Williver, Township of Chester
*God Bless America performed acapella by vocalist Mary Bolio
*Roll call of Chester's Fallen Soldiers read by members of American Legion Post 342 Chester
*Laying of Wreath Ceremony performed by Larry Oppel, American Legion Post 342 Chester & Linda Oppel, Ladies Auxiliary member American Legion Post 342 Chester
(musical accompaniment by West Morris Community Band under the direction of Gary Quam)
*Closing Prayer by The Reverend Margaret Otterburn, Church of the Messiah Chester
*Rifle Salute by American Legion Post 342 Chester
*Taps performed by West Morris Community Band
Jun 4 - 5, 2016
18th Annual SPRING Chester Craft Show
10:00 am to 5:00 pm (Rain or Shine)
Location: Gazebo/Municipal Field
134 Main Street, Chester, NJ
*IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT*
CRAFT SHOW CANCELLED FOR SUN., JUNE 5TH DUE TO WEATHER.
With an anticipated weather forecast of severe thunderstorms, downpours, damaging winds and hail, it is with regret that we announce the Chester Spring Craft Show is cancelled for Sunday, June 5th.
We wish to thank all our amazing crafters, artisans, participants, staff and vendors for their commitment and support.
We greatly appreciate your understanding and look forward to seeing you all again at the 43rd Annual Fall Craft Show on Sept.10th and 11th.
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Call your friends and make plans to attend the 18th Annual Spring Chester Craft Show, being held on Saturday and Sunday, June 4th and 5th.
We are proud to announce that the Spring Chester Craft Show was ranked as one of the top 60 craft shows IN THE COUNTRY, WITH OVER 150 ARTISTS from around the region.
Admission: $4.00. No dogs/pets allowed.
****$1.00 OFF* A SINGLE ADMISSION***
PRINT THIS AD AND PRESENT AT THE GATE TO RECEIVE $1.00 DISCOUNT.
Experience a wide variety of hand made items including traditional craft, fine art and country crafts. Find unique gifts for everyone on your shopping list as well as beautiful handcrafted furnishings for your home. Be sure to stroll through Historic Chester and visit over 80 unique shops and eateries which are just steps away from the show. You will discover a wonderful selection of antiques, crafts, clothing, jewelry, home furnishings and accessories, gourmet pet products, confections and wonderful eateries. The
Note: If you are a vendor and wish to exhibit at this show, please visit http://www.chestercraftshow.com.
