Strive for Five to be Held in May

The event will benefit Bridgewater Baseball & Softball.

Bridgewater Baseball & Softball is holding its annual Strive for Five 5K Spring Fitness Challenge to benefit the 12U teams heading to Cooperstown later in the season. The event will be held May 5 at Duke Island Park, beginning at 9 a.m. Timing and results will be administered by CompuScore.com, with an awards ceremony at the conclusion of the race. “We are excited for another great 5K race and expect almost 100 runners to participate in our fun day,” said Elise Gourley, of Bridgewater Baseball & Softball, in a release about the event. “The 5K race is a fundraiser to benefit the three 12U teams that will travel to Cooperstown, NY for a week-long tournament.” Registration forms will be available online through April 29, and the cost is $20 …

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Somerset Hills Y Friends Honor Art Anderson With 5K

One-mile fun walk also scheduled at fundraising event for those whose lives were touched by ALS.

Middle Earth Holding Annual 10K Run

The event will be held at Duke Island Park.

More than 500 runners are preparing to gather at Duke Island Park in Bridgewater to take part in the fourth annual 10K run sponsored by Middle Earth. The run will be held beginning at 10 a.m. March 23 at the park on Old York Road. It is open to the entire community, and supports programs helping youth in Somerset County. The race is more than 6 miles long along the Raritan River, and takes place rain or shine. “In my mind, there is no better way to shake the winter blues than a great run on the first day of spring,” said Maggie Navatto, race director, in a release about the event. “Everyone at Middle Earth is so grateful that the runners are supporting our mission of helping youth become responsible adults.” Middle Earth is a nonprofit …

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Hike and Seek, Open House, More This Week

Looking for exciting weekend activities and family-friendly fun? You're in the right place.

This weekend is almost completely filled with fundraisers, Halloween and breast cancer programs throughout the township and around the area. Below is the combination of our weekly pick of weekend activities, offering both fun weekend activities and great family-friendly fun at the same time. Here are this week's picks: Somerville YMCA’s 2nd Annual Spooky Sprint 5K When/Where: Saturday at 8 a.m. on Grove Street in Somerville. Why Go: Because it’s the month of Halloween, and it’s time for a 5K race to help the YMCA, while also being welcome to wear costumes in the race. Participants are also being encouraged to bring a can of food to benefit the local food bank, and proceeds from the race will go to the Somerville Y’s Strong Kids Campaign. …

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Tunnels to Towers 5K Remembers 9/11 Efforts

Inaugural event held Saturday at Duke Island Park.

The inaugural Tunnels to Towers Run for Bridgewater was held Saturday morning in Duke Island Park. The event honored the efforts of first responders from 9/11 and Steve Siller, a firefighter stuck in traffic trying to get to the Twin Towers who grabbed his 70 pounds of gear and ran there through the tunnel. "I think this was a good turnout for the first year," race director Kristin Cupito said. "We will have it again next year and it will be bigger and better. Today we had perfect weather and we got a lot of support from the local businesses." One participant wasn't sure she could finish, but then thought about what Siller went through to help others on 9/11. "About three quarters of the way through the run, when I was not feeling very …

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Bayou Fest Sizzles With Music and Authentic Food

Evening includes two bands and a selection of Creole and Cajun foods at Duke Island Park.

A crowd of nearly 2,000 were on hand at Duke Island Park Sunday for the annual Bayou Fest, part of the Somerset County Park Commission's summer concert series.  The park was filled with Zydeco and Creole music from the VooDudes and Opelousas, Louisiana's Jefferey Broussard and the Creole Cowboys. In addition to the music, authentic Creole and Bayou dishes were offered from Touch Bayou in Montclair. The menu included schrimp creole, jambalaya and red beans and rice, among other favorites.

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Carnivals, Orientations as Summer Rolls Along

We've got your list of end-of-summer events in town.

The summer is about half over, and that means we’re getting ready to start thinking about back-to-school. And as we do that, there are plenty of end-of-the-summer events to keep us enjoying our time off, while also preparing for the year ahead. We got a list of several local events that, although they are designed to reflect the end of the summer, are still a great way to spend the remaining few weeks. Anything else going on for the end of summer that we should know about?

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VIDEO: Duke Island Welcomes The Chi-Lites

R&B superstars get the crowd into the show.

The Duke Island Park stage was alive with the R&B sounds of the Chi-Lites Sunday as part of the Somerset County Summer Concert Series. Although it was a smaller crowd than normal due to the rain that came through about two hours before showtime, the crowd was part of the show. The Chi-Lites are in their sixth decade of performing, and are in the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. The group has a total of 11 top 40 hits. The evening included a conga line, children and adults taking to the stage and a lot of terrific music. Next Sunday at 7 p.m., the Duke Island stage will host Ken Navarro playing jazz guitar.

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Savoy Brown Brings Rockin' Blues to Bridgewater [VIDEO]

Somerset County Park Commission concert brings the 60's-70's performers for Sunday night concert.

Duke Island Park was the scene for some old time rock and blues Sunday night with an appearance by Savoy Brown as part of the Somerset County Park Commission's Summer Concert Series.   About 2,000 people were in attendance for the free show.  Savoy Brown, lead by legendary guitarist Kim Simmonds, has been performing all over the world for half a century. The band includes Joe Whiting on saxophone and vocals, Garnet Grimm on drums and Pat DeSalvo on bass.  The next concert will feature the Chi-Lites at 7 p.m. Sunday.

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Hitmen Bang Out Hits at Duke Island Concert

Band with New Jersey roots plays their hits from nearly 50 years of performing.

The Hitmen played a rain-shortened concert at Duke Island Park Sunday as part of the Somerset County Park Commision's concert series.  A crowd of about 1,000 people were on hand to hear the music these performers made popular in the 60's, 70's and 80's. The band is comprised of performers who collaborated with or were members of many immensely popular bands including Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Tommy James & The Shondells, The Critters, Carly Simon, Jim Croce, Cat Stevens, Barry Manilow, Elton John and Kiki Dee. On July 22 at 7 p.m., the Somerset County Park Commision will present 60's and 70's rockers Savoy Brown.

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