(SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County will host its EARTH Center Garden, Arts, and Music Festival on Saturday, August 20 from 11:00am to 4:00pm at the EARTH Center, located in Davidson’s Mill Pond Park at 42 Riva Ave. in South Brunswick. The day will be filled with family-oriented activities, live arts displays, and local musical acts. Activities for the kids will include a scavenger hunt, “The Recycling Magician,” a 4-H Small Animal Club and their furry friends, and “Paint a Pot” activity.

“There’s no better way to enjoy the last few days of summer than by being outdoors surrounded by nature, good music, and live art. From mini lectures to showcasing your homegrown produce, this year’s EARTH Center Garden, Arts, and Music Festival will be an event the entire family will enjoy,” said County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. “In addition to enjoying all this event has to offer, we encourage everyone attending to bring a non-perishable food item as a donation for REPLENISH.”

Throughout the afternoon, Rutgers Master Gardeners and Environmental Stewards will offer advice on horticulture and stewardship while guiding visitors through various teaching gardens and learning projects. Examples of their work include: a children’s garden, vegetable display garden, and the popular butterfly house. Mini lectures on horticultural topics and culinary techniques will also be offered.

Visitors can also get a close look at the Rows for the Hungry Project which in recent years has grown and donated close to 30 tons of fresh, first-quality produce to local food banks in Middlesex County. The scale and precision of this operation is sure to inspire community-minded residents to join their volunteer efforts.  

As one of Rutgers Cooperative Extension’s missions is to promote local agriculture, attendees will also have the chance to and show off the homegrown produce they are most proud of in the “Greatest of the Garden” competition. Categories may include Largest Tomato, Largest Zucchini, Strangest Heirloom, Biggest Sunflower Bloom, and Best Likeness to a Celebrity or Historical Figure.

The Arts Institute of Middlesex County will also offer a Share Your Foodways kitchen demonstration where Chef Carolina Moratti will prepare delicious dishes with the bounty of the season. A food truck will be available onsite, but carried-in picnic lunches are also welcome.

This event is a great opportunity for residents to acquaint themselves with the programs Middlesex County’s office of Rutgers Cooperative Extension has to offer.  

FOOD DRIVE: In partnership with REPLENISH, the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County will also be collecting nutritious food for residents in need. If you would like to help, please bring a non-perishable food item when attending this event.

Middlesex County is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies, three universities, 19 park systems, and world-class healthcare and research facilities making it one of the nation’s most dynamic regions and a leader in technology, transportation, the arts, and food innovation. As one of the most diverse populations in the country, Middlesex County is home to over 832,000 residents living throughout 25 municipalities. The County's award-winning Middlesex County Magnet Schools system and two-year Middlesex College uphold its position as #1 in the state for best schools, offering secondary and postsecondary education and workforce development programs that create a unique ecosystem in which opportunities abound. Conveniently located between New York and Philadelphia, Middlesex County is a leading destination for businesses and residents alike to live, work, and play – and has been since the 17th century.