ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—The Flat Rock Brook Nature Center really knows how to put the “great” in their Great Fall Festival!
On Oct. 20, they hosted their annual event and over 150 Englewood residents and visitors streamed into the scenic nature center on Van Nostrand Avenue.
Although it was raining, the program was held exactly as planned and everyone had a great time. Outdoors there were tents set up for pumpkin carving and painting, nature crafts that included making Indian headdresses out of leaves, and booths with seasonal items for sale. A popular activity was canoe rides on the pond.
Indoors, a throng of people, including Councilmen Wayne Hamer and Charles Cobb, were greeted by President Jill Abbott and Past President Janet Sharma. They was delightful twangy music played by the five-piece Blue Plate Special band and a scrumptious buffet from Rustic Caterers.
People piled their plates high with pulled pork, grilled chicken, vegetarian chili, cornbread, mac and cheese, orzo spinach salad and cole slaw. There were also tables of brownies and cookies, cider, lemonade and coffee.
Large tables were set up throughout the main room, so that people could socialize as they chowed down, giving the event a true neighborhood feel.
Throughout the day, the nature center was transformed into a non-stop arcade of fun. Beginning at the registration desk, children could win prizes by correctly guessing how many candies were in each jar next to the signin sheet.
Children then headed for the various fun stations both indoors and out. Inside, kids flocked to the face painting stations and came away adorned with festive designs. There were assorted games and contests, such as the bean bag toss and ring toss and several setups for scenic photo ops. All these activities were conducted by cheerful teenage volunteers.
A highlight of the day was the Live Birds of Prey Program conducted by naturalist Rachel McGovern. She fascinated kids as well as adults with a talk and display of an Eastern Screech Owl.
One of the admirable things about the Great Fall Festival is that it is entirely free for members, including the buffet.
“It’s our way of thanking all the people that support our center and our programs throughout the year,” said Sandy Pinto, Development Director. “We also make this event very affordable for guests, priced at $15 per adult, $10 for children 6 to 17 years old and free to children under 6, because we want everyone to come and see what a great place this is!”
As expected, many first-time visitors come to the Great Fall Festival, then soon become members.
Now in its seventh year, the Great Fall Festival is a huge success because of the center’s outstanding staff and volunteers. Assisting at the registration desk was Abbott, the president of Flat Rock Brook Nature Center. Also helping the event run smoothly were Executive Director Stephen Wiessner and Pinto, along with Office Administrator Sandy Chiappino, Accountant Lisa Higgins, Allyson and Gary Johnson, Groundkeeper Brian Dedeian, Rachel McGovern, Education Director, Naturalists Siena Stucki and Rosetta Arrigo and a crew of 25 helpers, many of whom are high school students.
Wiessner was pleased with the large number of attendees.
“Our Great Fall Festival has been a popular community event for so many years because attendees get to have a great autumn experience at our picturesque 150-acre nature preserve.”
Pinto added, “This event was designed to provide our members with a family-fun-filled and festive afternoon to say thanks for their support. It has expanded to welcome all members of the community to come and celebrate the best of the autumn season while spending an afternoon in nature at our beautiful preserve.”
A natural treasure
Most members of the Flat Rock Brook Nature Center not only attend the Great Fall Festival, but they take advantage of everything that the center offers year round.
Flat Rock Brook Nature Center is a 150-acre nature preserve in a beautiful natural setting. It has 3.6 miles of self-guided forested hiking trails that lead to a cascading stream, wetlands, pond and meadows. In addition to special events and seasonal programs, there are educational programs, exhibits, and hiking trails for all age groups and abilities 12 months of the year. Thousands of people flock to Flat Rock Brook which also focuses on environmental preservation.
Wiessner explained, “We strive to create stewards of our planet through an understanding and appreciation of the natural world.”
As such, the Flat Rock Brook Nature Center is truly a natural treasure of Bergen County.
And, once again, the fall season in Englewood kicked off with a truly great “Great Fall Festival!”