Hopewell Harvest Fair – 2026 – Local History – Hopewell Valley History Project

2026 Hopewell Harvest Fair Logo

The 38th Annual Hopewell Harvest Fair is Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 9:45 am to 4 pm, on the grounds of the Hopewell Elementary School, 35 Princeton Avenue, Hopewell, NJ. The rain date is Saturday, October 3.

This volunteer community event has been providing fun and entertainment for Hopewell Valley families and friends since 1987.

Walk the Town Square to meet some 70 local businesses and organizations with exhibits and fun activities. Visit the Hopewell Museum, the Hopewell Valley Historical Society, the Hopewell Old School Baptist Meetinghouse, and the Hopewell Public Library in adjacent booths to explore local history.

Enjoy bands and entertainment all day under the big tent. Explore the crafters to discover handmade creations from local artists.

Have fun enjoying favorite family activities including country games, pony rides, petting zoo, and inflatable slides. The Kid’s Korner also provides a dedicated area for children to have fun playing games and participating in festive activities.

And to keep you going, there are some 15 local food vendors and the Farmers Market.

The cover art for this year’s Harvest Fair almanac was created by Titusville painter and textile artist Laura Warne, and is quilted autumn scene of Hopewell Elementary School, incorporating an antique lace doily passed down through Warne’s family.

Hopewell History Organizations at the Harvest Fair

Four local organizations are combining in adjacent booths at the Town Square to share and discuss local history, with the Hopewell Old School Baptist Meetinghouse, the Hopewell Museum, the Hopewell Public Library, and the Hopewell Valley Historical Society.

The Hopewell Museum will be featuring items typical of a member of the local militia during the Revolutionary War. The Executive Director of the Museum, Asher Lurie, will be clothed as a local farmer who was serving as a member of the Hunterdon County militia in the early fall of 1776.

At 1:30 pm in the adjacent field, Lurie will talk about the Hunterdon County Militia in 1776, their role in protecting Hopewell, and what was expected of the local militia during the Revolution.

Hopewell Valley Historical Society will be featuring its new book, Stories of Hopewell Valley – Celebrating 50 Years of the Hopewell Valley Historical Society. This coffee table size book documents 50 years of HVHS efforts to uncover, preserve, and cherish the history of the Hopewell Valley – from pre-European settlement to the 20th century. The book includes more than 300 pages of stories the HVHS has gleaned over the years, with color illustrations and some never before seen content.

The Hopewell Public Library will be hosting Once Upon a Story: Pocket-Sized Bookmaking, so attendees can make a miniature folded book. Children and adults need only bring their ideas, imaginations, and creativity. Make a book on the spot, or take one to go, for whenever inspiration strikes. This open-ended and hands-on activity is fun for all ages and abilities and encourages literacy.

The Hopewell Old School Baptist Meetinghouse will have more information on the historical building and cemetery, recently named to the National Register of Historic Places. Then on the day after the Harvest Fair, the Meetinghouse also is hosting an event on the Roots of American Fiddling with acclaimed fiddler and baroque violinist Nathan Bishop and button accordion player Rob Curto. Come hear the tunes of love and longing, determination and celebration that filled the ears and hearts of early Americans on Sunday, September 20, at 4 pm.

These Hopewell organizations also will be featured at the annual Hopewell Holiday Open House event on Saturday, December 12. Explore the town and historic buildings, learn more about the sponsoring organizations, and enjoy refreshments and related activities. This year’s event also will mark the reopening of the Hopewell Museum after its extensive renovations.

Hopewell Elementary School Tour

The Hopewell Elementary School (HES) is celebrating its 100th anniversary from when it was first opened in 1926. See the poster for the three stages of the development of the school building.

At the Harvest Fair, the Elementary School is hosting guided tours through the school building. Stop by the gym entrance (behind the Info booth) to explore photos, stories, and artifacts that showcase the history of HES and its impact on our community.

See more on the Hopewell Elementary School Centennial and history
See more on the history of Hopewell Schools, with posters of timelines and details on the individual schools and buildings.

About the Harvest Fair

The Hopewell Harvest Fair was started in 1987, and was originally sponsored by the Hopewell Business Association. It was held in the area around Princeton Bank (now PNC Bank) at 62 East Broad Street. In 1989 it moved to its current location at the Hopewell Elementary School (except for 1996, when it was held along West Broad Street).

Hopewell Fairs and Carnivals go back to the Fire Department Carnivals beginning in 1911, the Legion Carnivals in the 1960s and 1970s, and then the Hopewell Community Day event held from 1974 through 1985, which was sponsored by the Hopewell Business Associates, and held in the area around PNC Bank. (Also see the Look Back page from this year’s Harvest Fair Almanac.)

See more on the Hopewell Fairs and Carnivals – and photos
See more on the growing collection of Harvest Fair images, including the Wooden Car Derby event

Harvest Fair and Community Day Almanacs

Community Day & Harvest Fair Booklet Covers through 2024

We have a complete collection of the Harvest Fair Almanacs from 1987 to 2026, plus some pamphlets from the earlier Community Day in the 1980s.

The fun and varied covers often feature designs by local artists.

Explore these in the Pamphlets Collection. All the documents are digitized and searchable – with a total of 44 pamphlets and sheets, with some 2590 scanned pages (many as two-page spreads).

View the Harvest Fair & Community Day Almanacs in the Pamphlet Collection

Does anyone have 1970’s Community Day information or pamphlets that we can preserve and share? (We have some from 1980 to 1985, but not earlier.)

Please contact us if you have photos, videos, other materials from the Hopewell Harvest Fair and earlier Community Day that we can share.

Hopewell Harvest Fair – 2026 – Local History