In the Sussex Skylands, warming weather welcomes fun-filled festivals and fairs

On June 18, the Crystal Springs Resort will host the New Jersey Beer & Food Fest, when beer lovers can sample an array of craft beer, cider and traditional brews from more than 200 brewers.

As the weather warms, Sussex Skylands comes alive with fun-filled festivals and fairs, offering days of entertainment for the entire family.

“The beautiful natural surroundings of the Sussex Skylands offer the perfect complement to the outdoor festivals and fairs held here each year,’’ said Tammie Horsfield, president, Sussex County Chamber of Commerce. “We are a short drive for so many people in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Of course, if festivalgoers want to ditch the drive home after an event, we can accommodate them at our local hotels, bed-and-breakfasts and campgrounds.”

On May 7 from noon to 7 p.m., it’s a day of food, fun and family when the Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival is staged at Skylands Stadium, one of New Jersey’s premier facilities.

Plenty of entertainment also is planned at the Crystal Springs Resort event on June 18, including outdoor games, premier golf and high-energy live music.

Held on the same field the Sussex County Miners call home, the event promises a day outdoors, with delicious dining options, including more than 20 food truck vendors, offering everything from picnic staples to desserts and specialty drinks. Beer lovers can choose from among more than 100 craft beers, while enjoying live music and games provided by NJPLAY.

Visit skylandstadium.com.

Michael Arnone’s 31st annual Crawfish Fest, set for June 3-5 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, will feature the best music and food that Louisiana and New Orleans have to offer.

What started as a small crawfish boil for 70 people in 1989 has morphed into Michael Arnone’s 31st annual Crawfish Fest, set for June 3-5 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta. Featuring the best music and food that Louisiana and New Orleans have to offer, festivalgoers will enjoy Cajun, zydeco, Delta blues, New Orleans R&B, brass, gospel and jazz music on three stages.

The menu includes boiled crawfish, pork sausage/chicken jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, alligator sausage, char grilled oysters, southern fried chicken and other great dishes.

If you want to make a weekend out of it, choose from five on-site campsites where festivalgoers can pitch a tent or bring small trailers. Campers are privy to two special performances on Friday and Saturday night, along with free jambalaya on Friday evening.

Various ticket options are available. Visit crawfishfest.com.

Crystal Springs Resort offers world-class golf and a gorgeous mountain setting with unparalleled hospitality.

On June 18, the Crystal Springs Resort will host the New Jersey Beer & Food Fest, when beer lovers can sample an array of craft beer, cider and traditional brews from more than 200 brewers, while enjoying all-you-can-eat BBQ, sausages and other delicious seasonal bites. Plenty of entertainment also is planned, including outdoor games, premier golf and high-energy live music.

Crystal Springs offers superior lodging perched along the Appalachian Mountain Range. The Grand Cascades Lodge is set among three world-class golf courses and combines a gorgeous mountain setting with unparalleled hospitality. Featuring new luxury suites, the lodge is home to Reflections Spa and one of New Jersey’s most highly rated dining establishments, Restaurant Latour.

The resort’s Minerals Hotel is the ideal setting for both relaxing escapes and mountain adventures. An array of guest rooms features comfortable spaces for families, friends and couples, while the dining choices are sure to please. With indoor and outdoor pools, a luxury spa, a state-of-the-art sports club, plus a family-friendly 9-hole golf course, there’s plenty to do between beer tastings.

For more information, visit crystalgolfresort.com.

It is Rock, Ribs and Ridges on June 24-26 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, where five nationally known barbeque pitmasters will vie for the title of best barbeque and 11 bands will rock the fields.

Confirmed ribbers for 2022 include Cowboys BBQ, Fort Worth, Texas; Pigtails BBQ, West Salem, Ohio; and Ribbins BBQ, Chambersburg, Pa., with more expected to fire up their smokers. In 2021, Cowboys BBQ and pitmaster Enrique Vega successfully defended his title for Best Ribs, while Pigtails BBQ and Joe Russell captured the prize money and trophy for Best Sauce. Both will return this year to defend their titles and to please your palates. Festivalgoers will be able to cast their vote for the T-Mobile “People’s Choice Award” for Best Overall Ribber.

The Rock, Ribs and Ridges event features an impressive lineup of bands.

The event features an impressive lineup of bands, including Jim Messina, Duane Betts, Revisiting Creedence and 49 Winchester, with the music set to kick off on June 24 at 6 p.m. and keep rocking all weekend. Sugar Mountain, Dave Mason, Molly Hatchet and others are all on the schedule.

Pitch a tent or bring an RV to camp out for the entire weekend. The campgrounds are only a three-minute walk from the festival. Campers will enjoy an exclusive Friday night “After Party” bonfire following the Friday evening headline concert, a Saturday evening campers-only concert and a “Sunday Morning Get Together” with free coffee and donuts.

Learn more at rockribsridges.com.

For more information about Sussex Skylands events and attractions, visit sussexskylands.com.