Update: Things to Do in a Jersey August

Squeeze the last bits of juice out of summer at these Food, Music, Culture and Bargain Nerd events:

Aug 22 - 26 -- St. Sebastian Italian Feast, Montclair
Aug 22 - 26 -- Hunterdon 4H Fair, Ringoes
Aug 25 -- Garden State Rollergirls Rummage Sale, Wallington
Aug 25 -- Camelfest Music Festival at Maxwell's, Hoboken

Aug 29 -- Great Tomato Tasting at Rutgers Extension Farm in Pittstown

Unique Dining NJ

Nerd Alert takes a break from events (see post below for August happenings) to report on some of the unusual dining experiences to be had in North-Central Jersey.  Below is a small sampling; if you've got a unique eatery to recommend, let us know at nerdalertnorthjersey at gmail dot com, or leave a comment on our Facebook page.  Remember, every time you can support a small business instead of a chain, you are supporting Jersey!

Marakesh Parsippany
Moroccan food; Belly dancer every Friday and Saturday night

Cafe y Canela Boonton (link is to the Morristown location)
Columbian food (and adjacent bakery) in the old retro Main Street Diner (and former Sopranos location)

Clinton Station Diner (Route 78)
Dine in a train car, or watch model trains move around the ceiling of the main dining room.  This place is also known for its gigantic and disgusting burger challenges.  For a much more swank (read: expensive) train car dining experience, try Rod's Steak House in Madison.

Makeda Ethiopian New Brunswick
Live entertainment and no utensils; Montclair has its own Ethiopian offering, Mesob.

Shanghai Jazz Madison
Come for the music, cocktails, and experience; food is a little pricey for what it is and the dining area is jam packed

Fork & Screen West Orange, Bridgewater, & Metuchen AMC Theatres
Watch your movie on the big screen in a comfy chair with table service; Nerds with Kids may also want to check out the Dunellen Cinema Cafe

Here's what's upcoming in August; there's a whole month of summer left, y'all!

Through Aug 4 -- Warren County Farmer's Fair (Harmony Twp)
Aug 3 -- First Friday Art Walk/Late Night in Downtown Boonton
Aug 3 -12 -- NJ State Fair/Sussex Farm & Horse Show (Sussex County Fairgrounds)
Aug 3, 4, 5 -- Sidewalk Sales and other special events in Clinton
Aug 4 -- Bergen County 4H and Master Gardener Fair (FREE -- Paramus)
Aug 4 -- Peach Festival in Chester

Aug 7 -- National Night Out at Mennen Arena in Morris (Free skating!)
Aug 9, 10, 11 -- Somerset County 4H Fair (Free -- Bridgewater)
Aug 11 -- Spider Man at Somerset Patriots (with Fireworks!)
Aug 11 -- Classic Car Show & Craft Fair at the Farmer's Market (Downtown Boonton)
Aug 11 -- The Empire Strikes Back Live Radio Version in Metuchen

Aug 18 -- Jazz and Blues Festival on the Green (Morristown)
Aug 18 -- Lackawanna Music Festival (Hoboken)

Aug 29 -- Annual Great Tomato Tasting at Rutgers Extension Farm in Pittstown