May 09, 2025| Community, Events
By: Caitlin Doran
We have more than 200 reasons why you should plan to join us for the Lake Hopatcong Block Party at Hopatcong State Park on May 17! Just check out the list of 200 vendors on our Block Party page, and you’ll understand why. There’s everything from great food and refreshments, to artisan cutting boards, to chair massages, to hand-crafted jewelry, to book sales, to great information from local businesses, schools, nonprofit organizations, and more!
As if a wide variety of vendors from which to shop and learn wasn’t enough of a reason to come down to Hopatcong State Park, there are plenty of things to do to keep you, and your family, entertained throughout the day. Here’s a lineup of just some of the activities you can expect at this year’s Block Party, with more being added to our page every day:
Passport Adventure Program – It’s back! Guests are encouraged to visit and interact with booths participating in our Passport Adventure Program - just look for the white and blue Passport Adventure destination sign! When you visit a designated passport adventure booth, the participating sponsor will stamp your passport (several stops are required to complete the program). Guests who turn in their fully stamped passport are entered in a 3:30p.m. drawing to win some amazing prizes – like a Nolan’s Point Adventure basket, bird house, Visa gift cards, museum memberships and more! Check out the full list on our Block Party page. You can pick up your passport at the Passport Adventure Program table, under the pavilion.
Children's Scavenger Hunt - For kids 12 years and younger, the Children's Scavenger Hunt includes hands-on activities, fun giveaways, and lots of learning opportunities from the Lake Hopatcong community. Return completed scavenger hunt cards for a free kiddie cone coupon redeemable at Jefferson Dairy (while supplies last)!
Fishing Demo with the Knee Deep Club – the Knee Deep Club will present a casting demonstration of freshwater fishing rods and reels from 12 pm – 1:30 pm. Look for them down by the beach, or visit them in Zone A, to learn more.
Miss Lotta Boat Rides - Lake Hopatcong's own Miss Lotta will embark on seven FREE cruises throughout the day, courtesy of Lake Hopatcong Cruises! Cruises will depart at 10:55 am, 11:25 am, 11:55 am, 12:25 pm, and 12:55 pm, 1:25 pm, and 1:55 pm. Tickets are available in Zone A at the Avenues in Motion booth, at the top of the boat ramp. Tickets will be released 15 minutes before each cruise on a first come, first served basis with a limit of four tickets per group. All passengers must be present in the ticketing line to be issued a ticket. Beverages may be purchased at the full-service bar on board, and food from the food court is welcome.
Bridge Marina Boat Rides – Want a quick trip on a pontoon that will cruise past the State Park Beach, down to Landing, and back? Bridge Marina is helping us get even more folks on the water on Block Party Day! Head to their booth in Zone A, where you’ll get a bracelet before walking down the ramp to board the boat!
Fire Boat Demonstration – The Jefferson fire boat, Defender, returns with an on-water display, compliments of the Jefferson Fire Department Co. 2 at 1 pm. Give them a wave and let them know we appreciate all that our local fire departments do for our community!
Children’s Activities – Merry Musicians will be joining us at the Children’s Activities booth in Zone B again, helping kids make musical egg shakers, bracelets, and more! You can also stop by The Home Depot booth in Zone A, to pick up kids craft kits, to help channel your children’s creativity.
Eyes of the Wild – Our friends at Eyes of the Wild are back, and they are bringing exotic animal ambassadors from their 21-acre rescue operation in Hunterdon County. You can meet the team and some cool critters by visiting the Pavillion, with a program at 12:15PM and 2:15PM.
50/50 Cash Raffle – You gotta be in it to win it! But in the case of the Block Party, you don’t have to present to win it. Write your name on phone number on your raffle tickets, and we just might be calling your name, or calling you at home, when you win our 50/50 cash raffle – drawn at 3PM! Tickets are available at the 50/50 booth under the pavilion and from walking ticket sellers. Tickets are 1 ticket for $5.00, 5 tickets for $10.00, or 15 tickets for $20.00. Proceeds benefit the Lake Hopatcong Foundation's efforts to protect and improve Lake Hopatcong!
Irish Step Dancing – A fan favorite, An Clar School of Irish Dance will be performing Irish step dances at the pavilion at 1:15pm. Don’t miss the performance and be sure to check out their booth in Zone A to learn more about the school and how to get involved.
Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum – the Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum will be open to the public for the duration of the Block Party. Visit the museum, which is in the historic Morris Canal Lock Tender’s House on the left when entering the park and experience an eye-opening look at Lake Hopatcong’s history.
Meet the Alpacas – Hidden Brook Ranch of Blairstown, NJ are joining us again! Visit them in Zone B and meet a fuzzy friend. They will also be selling some of their alpaca wool apparel.
Drone and Robot Demonstrations – Roxbury High School’s Aviation and Robotics Clubs are back, and so are their high-flying drones and down-to-earth robot demos! We can’t wait to share drone photos from this year’s event, and we know everyone’s going to enjoy the robot demonstration at 1:45PM in the town square, at the pavilion.
Games for Kids – In addition to the children’s activity table and scavenger hunt, more games for kids can be found scattered throughout the Block Party. These games include the Froggy Fly Fling, Mini Train Striker, oversized Operation (don’t touch the sides!), and Tic Tac Toss. Get your game on!
Puppy-Wuppy Drill Team – Puppy-Wuppy is a team of students and their dogs who perform at events with the purpose of educating the public on better dog handling, obedience training, and examples of how animals assist us in society. They’ll be wandering the event, showing us some cool tricks!
Mix and Mingle in the “Town Square” – Representatives from all four lakes towns – Roxbury, Hopatcong, Jefferson, and Mount Arlington – will be in the town square at the pavilion, along with representatives from Congressman Kean and Congresswoman Sherrills’ offices. Each will feature programs from their town/district and be available to answer questions!
Meet Cool Mascots! You never know who you’ll see at the Lake Hopatcong Block Party! This year, we’re excited to welcome back Roxbury’s Gael and the Centenary University Cyclone. New this year, Herbie the Miner from the Sussex County Miner minor league baseball will be among the crowd! We’ve also heard a rumor that beloved Star Wars characters from the 501st Legion might make an appearance. Have those cameras ready for a photo opportunity!
Come out and experience all the above and more at this year’s Block Party, all while celebrating the unique businesses, organizations, groups, and people that make Lake Hopatcong a vibrant community. Many, many thanks to those who offered to do a demonstration or organize an activity to keep Block Party guests smiling! Let’s “party on for the lake” on Saturday, May 17!
