Call for 4-H Exhibitors
Mercer County Executive Dan Benson and Mercer County 4H invite residents to showcase their creative talents and skills at this year’s Mercer County 4-H Fair at Howell Farm in Hopewell. There are many “Open Division” categories to public entries for both youth and adults. Entrants do not need to be 4-H members to exhibit. Any project created in the past year can be entered into the fair, including arts and crafts, photography, gardening, clothing, baking, woodworking, and more.
Visit https://mercer.njaes.rutgers.edu/4h/fair to find full details about exhibiting, as well as a complete schedule of the fair. Projects will be received from the general public for entry in the fair on Thursday, July 25, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Howell Living History Farm. In addition to judging by experts, the fairgoers will vote on their favorite exhibits in each category on Saturday, July 27. Those receiving the most votes will be recognized on Sunday, July 28.
The annual Mercer County 4-H Fair is a community event showcasing the talents of the general public as well as those of 4-H members. The fair runs Saturday, July 27, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, July 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Children’s activities, hayrides, animal shows, music, farm tours, magic shows, archery, and exhibits take place throughout the fair. Food and drink, including homemade ice cream, are also available. The opening ceremony takes place at 1 p.m. on July 27 in the Show Tent. A country dance with a string band and a caller is scheduled for 6 p.m.
4-H, a youth development program operated by Rutgers Cooperative Extension, provides research-based, hands-on learning experiences for youth in Mercer County. For more information about 4-H, or entering projects in the fair, please contact Altaira Bejgrowicz at the Mercer County 4-H Office at 609-989-6830 or bejgrowicz@njaes.rutgers.edu. For updates on Mercer County 4-H visit https://mercer.njaes.rutgers.edu/category/departments/4h/
Howell Farm is located on Valley Road, just off Route 29 two miles south of Lambertville. Persons using GPS directions should use 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township, as the destination address.
Audition
The West Windsor Branch of the Mercer County Library Youth Services Department holds open auditions for teens ages 12 to 18 for four new plays written by librarian Michael Kerr for the Halloween Playfest: “The Stay-Behinds”; “Words Will Never Hurt Me”; “Backstage”; and “The Life of the Party.” The auditions take place on Saturdays, July 27 and August 3, from 2 to 4:30 pm, and Wednesdays, July 31 and August 7, from 6 to 8:15 p.m. Auditions consist of readings from the scripts. Scripts are available for inspection at the reference desk or can be sent by e-mail. Online registration at https://mcl.org for auditions is recommended, but walk-ins are also welcome. Auditions take place at the West Windsor Branch, 333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction. Rehearsals begin in early September. Performances take place from October 25 to 27. Organizers also welcome help with makeup, costumes, and set construction. Contact West Windsor Branch Youth Services Staff at 609-799-0462 or westprogs@mcl.org for more information.
Off Centre Stages and Kelsey Theater host auditions for “Jeckyll & Hyde,” a musical based on the classic story by Robert Louis Stevenson of struggle between good and evil featuring a score of pop rock hits from multi-Grammy- and Tony-nominated Frank Wildhorn and double-Oscar- and Grammy-winning Leslie Bricusse.
Performances will be held Fridays through Sundays, October 18 through 27. Auditions take place Sunday, July 14, from noon to 5 p.m., and Monday, July 15, from 7 to 10 p.m. Callbacks, by invitation only, are Saturday, July 20, from noon to 5 p.m. The theater is located on Mercer County College’s West Windsor campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road.
Auditioners are asked to prepare 30-60 seconds of any musical theatre song; Songs in the style of the show are recommended and songs from the show are welcome. Tracks are preferred, but an accompanist will be there if needed. No a cappella. A large speaker with both bluetooth and plug in capabilities will be provided if you bring your own device. There will be no dance at the initial audition, but there will be at the callback.
Appointments are required by filling out the form available at kelsey.mccc.edu. Contact info@offcentrestages.org with questions.
Yardley Players and Kelsey Theater host auditions for “Steel Magnolias,” about six Southern Louisiana women who go to Truvy’s Beauty Shop, where anyone who is anyone goes to get their hair done.
Performances are scheduled for Fridays through Sundays, October 4 through 13. Auditions take place Saturday and Sunday, July 20 and 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. Callbacks, if needed, will be on Wednesday, July 24, at 7 p.m. Auditions, held at the theater, consist of cold reading from the script.
Appointments are required. Contact director Liz Wurtz at 215-945-4114.
Calls for Vendors
Join Main Street Highland Park on Sunday, September 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for its annual Arts in the Park street festival, juried art show, and arts and crafts sale in downtown Highland Park. The festival draws thousands of art enthusiasts and visitors from around the region to stroll through downtown Highland Park and enjoy artistic offerings, live music and other entertainment, food from local restaurants, children’s activities, promotional booths, and much more. Artists, crafters, performers, and vendors are invited to participate. Participants in the juried art show display and sell their work under tents along Raritan Avenue. The art show features cash awards for the following categories:
Painting; Sculpture; Photography; Fine Crafts; Jewelry; Graphics/Drawing/Printmaking; Mixed Media; Textiles/Quilts/Needlework; and Pottery
Visit www.mainstreethp.org/artsinthepark for more information and to apply.
The Arts Council of Princeton is celebrating the 30th annual Sauce for the Goose outdoor art market on Saturday, November 9, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Princeton. Shop from local artisans and crafters working in ceramics, textiles, jewelry, apparel, home decor, and more. There is no rain date.
Vendor applications are due by Thursday, July 25, and selected vendor will be notified by Thursday, August 8.
Artists are responsible for staffing their booth for the entirety of the sale. Artists will be assigned 10′ x 10′ spaces and are responsible for their own display, including providing their own table, tent, display stands, racks for cards, jewelry, etc. Artists must provide bags and/or wrapping materials.
It is the artists’ responsibility to have a change fund to handle cash sales AND a mobile device to accept credit cards. Please note that cellphone reception in Princeton can be unreliable at times.
All displays and unsold work must be loaded out on Saturday, November 9, by 6 p.m.
This market is dedicated to artists, makers, and curators of vintage/original items. Food vendors, nonprofits, and merchants will not be accepted.
There is a non-refundable $25 application fee and a $170 booth fee upon acceptance. Visit artscouncilofprinceton.org/artists/sauce-for-the-goose for more information and to access the vendor application.
