Passes
All-Inclusive Barn-B-Q Access Pass
Lil Farm Hand Pass (for your kiddos)
Designated Dude(tte) Access Pass
Place
Berkeley Heights, NJ US 07922
Description
Party like it's 1899! Why migrate south with the masses when you can stay & play at North Jersey's original summer resort this Labor Day Saturday? Barn-B-Q is the best and most unique way to bid summer an early farewell without the traffic, crowds, and fuss. Join us at the beautifully restored Masker's Barn within the Deserted Village at Watchung Reservation. Our very own Urban Oasis!
Celebrate the great outdoors with a trail run or hike and then party it up at the all-inclusive 5-hour Barn party featuring BBQ, Beer, Wine, and Seltzers! Expect Trail-tivities, Barn-tivities, fun tunes, good times, and new friends! Souvenir, memories, and good vibes included!
Barn-B-Q is a celebration of the outdoors, running, hiking, eating, drinking, music, games, friends old and new, & fun!
Schedule
Barn Party runs from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Trail tours are self-guided (with suggested maps and routes available) and you can start anytime. See suggested times below. Activity schedule subject to change!
- 10:00 a.m. – Barn Doors Officially Open
- 10:30 a.m. – Egg Sandwiches to fill your belly
- 10:30 a.m. – Trail Treasure Chase Briefing in the Barn
- 10:45 a.m. – Self-guided Trail Tours suggested start for 5M+
- 11:15 a.m. – Self-guided Trail Tours suggested start for 2-5 Miles
- High Noon – Grill Opens for Lunch! Spice up your life and try Happy Tears Hot Sauce!
- 1:00 p.m. – Lawn Games Pentathlon
- 1:30 p.m. – Great Puzzle Race
- 2:00 p.m. – Claim Your Trail Treasure Chase Poker Cards
- 2:30 p.m. – Winners Presentation
- 3:00 p.m. – Time to mozy on home, pardner!
FAQ
So what's a Barn-B-Q anyway?
Barn-B-Q - noun - a loosely defined and open to personal choice day of great fun in the outdoors set in and outside of a cool restored Barn nestled in the urban-oasis woods of Watchung Reservation, greatly enjoyed by all who have ever attended, and highly anticipated by loyal fans and creators alike (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Barn-B-Q)
Read more about our awesome Trail-tivities, our super fun Barn-tivities, and the Barn party below!
Things to Know, Consider, Do, Think About,...
- This is the Great Outdoors people! Expect slippery sections of trail, stream crossings, rocks, roots, thorns, bugs. Don't panic! You'll be just fiiiiiine!
- Check the weather and be prepared for whatever it may bring!
- Please make sure your are HYDRATING throughout the day...with WATER!
- Please be aware that we do not have an on-site medical staff and in the event of a medical emergency, 911 or the Union County Police will be called on your behalf. For minor boo-boos and ailments we will have a basic first aid kit on site.
- Trash and recycling: Do not stir the ire of the Barn gods...or your organizers for that matter. We take recycling seriously and so shall all who B-Q'in-at-the-Barn.
- Leave No Trash! Yes, it's really Leave No Trace, but the most important principle for Barn-B-Q is to leave the trails cleaner than you found them.
- Barn-B-Q is all about camaraderie and a great opportunity to practice your trail ettiquette!
- Show up with your most awesome version of yourself. It's going to be a kick-@$$ day!
What to Bring for the Trails:
- your sense of adventure
- good hiking or trail running shoes
- dry socks or sandals for the rest of the day
- a water bottle or hydration pack
- bug spray, sunscreen, a hat
- a walking stick or trekking poles if you use them
What to Bring in General:
- Your ID for adult bevs!
- We encourage you to BYODV (drinking vessels) as we are both pirates and environmentalists at heart. We'll have a refill station for water. We'll also have individual water bottles on hand, but it's so much cooler to be earth-friendly. Plus isn't your personalized cup/goblet/stein/horn of choice cooler than a single-use red solo cup???
What to Bring for the Barn Party:
- While we have tables, chairs, and benches set-up, you're also welcome to bring blankets, lawn chairs, or a hammock.
- If you are coming early for the Yoga Nidra Chill-out, we might suggest a light blankie, yoga mat, mini pillow, etc...
What to Bring for Barn-tivities:
- We’re gonna be tie-dyin’! Feel free to bring additional white cotton items to groovify! If you have one of those vintage plastic bags or a super-sized zip-lock, please bring that as well to store your projects.
- Our game bin is open, but if you have a fave game you want to share, bring it along! We're hearing rumors of Giant Bang Bang Burrito!
- Your best-self personality and energy!
Trail Treasure Chase
All NEW Trail Treasure Chase! Run or Hike the trails of our urban oasis, Watchung Reservation. By visiting various checkpoints, you'll earn cards towards your poker hand. Best hands at 2 p.m. win awesome prizes from our partners!
Trail tours are self-guided but we will provide printed maps and routes on MapMyRun. Possible routes include a 6 Mile loop, 3 Mile route, and 2 Mile loop...mix and match or create your own!
Trail Maps
All trail tours are self-guided (per new county regulations) but we will have both printed maps and routes on MapMyRun. Below are some suggested routes we have designed and enjoyed, but you are of course free to explore on your own. Ask us if you have any questions!
How to Save a Route and Follow it on the MapMyRun app (be sure to download the app before Saturday):
- Select a suggested route that interests you.
- Click on the route name linking you to MapMyRun.
- Log-in to MapMyRun or create an account.
- "Bookmark" the route using the icon next to the route title.
- Download or open the app on your phone.
- When on the screen to begin a workout, tap on the "Load Route" button appearing on the map.
- Go to the "Bookmarked" tab and select the route you want to follow.
- Tap on the checkmark to confirm.
- Finally, press "Start workout" on Saturday!
Watchung Dragon 3 Miler: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4610801716
Watchung Dragon 2 Miler: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4610806177
Barn-B-Q 6 Miler (modified version of History Trail): https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/788479751/
History 2 Miler: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/1780128941/
O.G. 3 Miler: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/2560725058
County Map: https://ucnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Watchung-Trail-Map-020314.pdf
If a trail run or hike isn't for you, there is also opportunity to stroll past the historic buildings and cemetery in the Deserted Village: https://ucnj.org/web-trails/trails-map/
Barn-tivities
Barn-tivities include digging into our game and toy chest, playing lawn and table games, competing in the the Great Puzzle Race, earning points in the Lawn Games Pentathlon, channeling your creativity with crafts, and rocking out to our amazing playlist.
Barn Party
Our all-inclusive Barn Party is hosted at and around the beautifully restored Masker's Barn which is a landmark of the Deserted Village of Feltville in the Berkeley Heights section of Watchung Reservation. The park is centrally located in North Jersey and the Village was once the coolest spot for summer vacay back when horses were the go-to mode of transport. Come and party like it's 1899!
The Barn Party runs from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. and includes all food plus adult beverages and soft drinks (gotta hydrate!).
Our playlist is top-notch and reaches all ages and genres. Check it out here:
History
Craving a dose of history with your Barn-B-Q excitement?
Over the course of three centuries, this area known as the Deserted Village of Feltville/Glenside Park has been a farming community, a quasi-utopian mill town, a deserted village, and a summer resort. It includes eight houses, a church/general store, a carriage house (Masker's Barn), a general house, and a cemetery. Masker's Barn was built in 1882 to house horses and carriages which would transport families staying here at the resort and also hosted dances! The Barn was restored in September 2011.
Read more on Wikipedia's article on the Feltville Historic District: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feltville_Historic_District
Finding Us
The Deserted Village of Feltville/Glenside Park is located along Cataract Hollow Road in the Berkeley Heights section of Watchung Reservation (which in turn is nestled between Routes 78 and 22 in Union County). Like we said, a true Urban Oasis!
GPS address: 2 Cataract Hollow Road, Berkeley Heights, NJ
Parking: Once on Cataract Hollow Rd. (which is a park road appearing more like a parking lot entrance) continue down the road (past the Road Closed signs if visible OR by following the Barn-B-Q site and parking signs) and turn right on the first bridle trail (event sign). Follow the trail out into the open field until you reach other cars or the "PARK HERE" sign. Follow the event signs to walk to Masker’s Barn and Barn-B-Q! REMEMBER YOUR ID!
Leave No Trace
Whether you want to take it as "What happens at Barn-B-Q, stays at Barn-B-Q" or not...these principles stand. Be a good trail citizen and follow these guidelines:
Quick Draw
Where: The very cool Deserted Village of Feltville located in Watchung Reservation, find us at the restored Masker's Barn.
When: Saturday of Labor Day Weekend, 10am - 3pm
Ways to Play: Traditional All-Inclusive Barn-B-Q ticket includes souvenir, 5 hours of fun at the Barn Party, Trail-tivities, Barn-tivities, hot-off-the-grill BBQ and sides, Beer, Wine, Seltzers, soft drinks, games, energetic tunes from our amazing playlist, and all around good times.
Extra Barn-B-Q Sauce: Rent-a-Shack: Modern day folk call these tents. A 10' x 10' claim for you and your gang at the BBQ. General seating is so 2019! Get a private tent and table reserved for your crew. (If your gang has 10+ farm hands, you just scored a shack for free! Call to arrange.) Includes table & up to 10 chairs. $100
Barn-B-Q Contact Info
Barn-B-Q Website
Additional Barn-B-Q information can be found at http://www.BarnBQTrailFestival.com.
