The Alternative Press

LAFAYETTE, NJ - Mention New Jersey to almost anyone and chances are they have at least heard of the spectacular corn and tomatoes that the state is known for. Highlighting these food staples, Olde Lafayette Village located along Routes 15 and 94 is holding a Sweet Corn and Jersey Tomato Festival on August 25 and 26 from 11:00 am. to 7 pm (ending at 6pm on Sunday).

 “We figured it was a corn and tomato affair and we decided we wanted to do everything we could with those foods,” said Margie Mills of the Everything Homemade bakery, a shop in the village specializing in sweet treats and  beverages.

“[The turnout] has been amazing!” exclaimed Mills.

Not only did Everything Homemade have plenty of themed food on hand with corn chowder, tomato bisque soup and fried green tomatoes, but they also had sweets like fudge brownies and lemon blueberry bars.

Vendors of all kinds were scattered throughout the village wowing old and new clients alike. From Wantage, Ventimiglia Vineyard offered samples of their wines as did Hamburg’s Cava Winery. North Jersey Brewery was there too with information about "brew your own craft beer" classes.

Also on hand was Sensible Addictions, offering natural personal care products whose base is located in The Springboard Shoppes on Spring Street in Newton, and The Brownstone Sauce display, where customers were walking away with little testers of pasta topped with Tomato Basil, Vodka, or Marinara sauces; the sauces will be available in the village at Fromage Gourmet Shop all year round.

Some of the store owners could be seen mingling outside with the festival attendees and several of the stores from the village also had tabletop displays to lure customers into their stores.

Anything Goes Boutique, a new shop that opened three months ago, was one of those stores. The boutique features fun jewelry, purses and accessories and owner Colleen Vanderveen has been thrilled so far with the event.

“It has been a good turnout and it was good for the village. We want to keep making fun events like this,” Vanderveen said.

She also added that all of those in attendance seemed to love all of the food and drink choices, as well as the family friendly atmosphere.

Family members of the four legged variety were also out and about having fun, as Olde Lafayette Village is the only dog friendly shopping center in North Jersey, provided said lovable pooch is on a leash.

Although corn and tomatoes, and some of their incarnations like kettle corn, corn fritters, fried green tomatoes and bruschetta, are the star attraction of the festival, there will be plenty of other fun activities for families to enjoy.

Visitors may partake in corn shucking or tomato tossing contests, singing contests featuring “Jimmy Cracked Corn", a hay maze and a giant corn stalk teepee, face paintings, balloon animals and sack races. Live music of all kinds will be featured including bands like Sue and the Blind, Eddie U and the Turns, and The Acoustic Wolves.

Olde Lafayette Village is located at 75 Rt. 15 in Lafayette, NJ. Click here for the Olde Lafayette Village website.