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The Historical Society of Stillwater Township hosts its 20th Annual Fall Festival on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Stillwater Township School, 904 Stillwater Road in Stillwater Township. Our team is flagging this one as a classic Sussex County autumn afternoon, with hayrides, pumpkin picking, an antique tractor parade and a fundraiser tied to saving the town’s historic Shafer Gristmill.
Featured photo: Official 20th Annual Fall Festival graphic via the Historical Society of Stillwater Township.
What Is Planned for the 20th Year
According to the Historical Society’s official Fall Festival announcement, the day is built for families and history fans alike. Confirmed highlights include:
- An antique tractor parade that kicks off the festivities
- Hayrides and pumpkin picking
- Children’s games and races, with kids’ running races set for 1:00 p.m. at the school flagpole
- A classic pie-eating contest
- Craft and art vendors
- Food from Smokin’ Mo’s Southern BBQ and Linda’s Lemonade
- Tours of the Shafer Gristmill led by town historian Andy Martin
Deborah Drumm, Historical Society president and co-chair of the festival, said the milestone year also lines up with America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, pairing fall fun with Stillwater’s local heritage.
Saving the Shafer Gristmill
Proceeds support the Historical Society’s Save Our Gristmill campaign. On the society’s festival details page, organizers explain that a 2024 New Jersey Historic Trust grant helped identify structural problems at the mill, including roof leaks, cracked foundations and stucco loss. The society applied for a Stage Two grant to develop engineering blueprints for replacing the deteriorating roof. Those blueprints are expected to cost about $40,000, and the Historical Society must cover a 25 percent local share, about $10,000.
Members and supporters receive a free Shafer Gristmill tour on Saturday with Andy Martin. The Historical Society Museum is also open during festival weekend, Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Part of Sussex County Heritage Weekend
The Fall Festival doubles as Stillwater’s contribution to the countywide Art and Heritage Weekend on October 10 and 11. Our earlier guide to Sussex County Heritage Weekend covers exhibits, train demos and Van Campen Day across the county, and Stillwater’s school-grounds festival is the hands-on community piece of that same weekend.
Vendors and questions can reach Beth Martin at hsstbm@outlook.com. More information is on historicstillwater.org.
Make a Full Fall Saturday of It
October 10 is packed across Sussex County. If you are already out for Heritage Weekend or still shopping for pumpkins after Stillwater, our October things to do guide rounds up more fall picks, from farm festivals to foliage trails.
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