Fireside Fridays 2026!
Fireside Fridays invite residents to experience Passaic County Parks in a whole new way — gathering outdoors at sunset for relaxed, meaningful evenings centered around a shared fire. Each program begins approximately one hour before sunset and features a unique theme, ranging from local history and environmental education to family-friendly experiences and night-sky exploration. As the sun sets, the atmosphere shifts into a true fireside setting, creating a memorable and welcoming space for learning, connection, and enjoying the outdoors.
What to Bring:
Guests are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket for seating, dress appropriately for the weather, and consider a light jacket as temperatures can drop after sunset. You may also bring snacks or non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy during the program.
Fireside Friday Events
Fireside Chat with Franklin D. Roosevelt Himself!
May 8 @ 7:00 PM @ Rifle Camp Park – 387 Rifle Camp Rd., Woodland Park, NJ
Retired Cranford Teacher and Wayne Museum Attendant Paul Maloney portrays Franklin D. Roosevelt for a true “Fireside Chat”. “Franklin D. Roosevelt” will discuss his presidency, disability, and personal life along with some information on Passaic County during the New Deal and World War II. Maloney taught for Cranford Public Schools for many years, was a Union County Teacher of the Year, and has portrayed Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, and Franklin Roosevelt in his teaching and for presentations.
Rutgers 4H
May 15 @ 7:00 PM @ Camp Hope – 1792 Union Valley Rd., West Milford, NJ
Join us for a fun Friday night at Fireside Fridays with Passaic 4 H! Come discover all that Rutgers Cooperative Extension and Passaic 4 H have to offer. Meet the West Milford 4 H Club, enjoy hands on activities like making oobleck, a constellation scavenger hunt, fireside STEM activities, and a giant bubble experiment. Then stick around for the bonfire, s’mores, and a relaxing start to your weekend!
Paterson Silk Strikes
May 22 @ 7:30 PM @ Rifle Camp Park – 387 Rifle Camp Rd., Woodland Park, NJ
This chat will talk about the Paterson Silk strike of 1913 and its causes, along with the changing role of American labor unions throughout the years.
Late Night Fossil Find
May 29 @ 7:15 PM @ Camp Hope – 1792 Union Valley Rd., West Milford, NJ
Join the Environmental Educators of Lokai Rose for a unique evening of fossil discovery at Camp Hope. Gather around the fire as we explore prehistoric life, learn how fossils are formed, and get hands-on examining real specimens. As the sun sets, participants will take part in a guided “fossil hunt” experience, uncovering clues from the ancient past in a fun and engaging nighttime setting.
Night Creature Calls
June 12 @ 7:30 PM @ Camp Hope – 1792 Union Valley Rd., West Milford, NJ
Join the Environmental Educators of Lokai Rose for an evening exploring the sounds of the night. Gather around the fire as we learn about the animals that come alive after dark and the calls they use to communicate. As the sun sets, participants will listen for and identify real nighttime sounds in the park, discovering the hidden wildlife that surrounds us.
History of the WWI Camp Hewitt Girls
June 26 @ 7:30 PM @ Camp Hope – 1792 Union Valley Rd., West Milford, NJ
Presented by DCHA Program Director Vivian Davis, this Fireside Friday will explore the Emergency Service Corps of World War I, where on the homefront women banded together for preparedness. This talk will specifically focus on Camp Hewitt and the girls who trained in Northern Passaic County.
The American Revolution in Passaic County
July 17 @ 7:00 PM @ Rifle Camp Park – 387 Rifle Camp Rd., Woodland Park, NJ
Join historian and reenactor Owen Tiedeken for a fireside discussion on the American Revolution in Passaic County. Learn about George Washington’s time in the Preakness Valley, the Dey Mansion, the Battle of Springfield, and the strategic importance of the Great Notch. This presentation will explore the hardships endured by Continental soldiers, the military significance of the region, and how local events shaped the larger New Jersey campaign during the Revolutionary War.
The Making of Garret Mountain Reservation
July 31 @ 7:15 PM @ Rifle Camp Park – 387 Rifle Camp Rd., Woodland Park, NJ
Join us for a fireside Friday celebrating the 97th Anniversary of Garret Mountain Reservation! This chat will highlight Federick Law Olmsted's vision for public parks, its impact on the Passaic County Park System, and how Garret Mountain and Rifle Camp Park were designed by the Olmsted Brother's Firm in 1928. Presented by DCHA Curator Isabella Costa.
The Origins of the Wanaque Reservoir
August 21 @ 7:00 PM @ Camp Hope – 1792 Union Valley Rd., West Milford, NJ
Today, the Wanaque Reservoir is a major landmark of upper Passaic County, but at the turn of the 20th century, that valley was home to several families, businesses, farms, and a lush forest. Join us for a fireside chat on how the construction of the Wanaque Reservoir in the 1920s upended one community and reshaped several others.
UFO Talk
September 18 @ 6:00 PM @ Rifle Camp Park – 387 Rifle Camp Rd., Woodland Park, NJ
Join us for a special Fireside Friday as one of our Park Rangers leads an evening of UFO lore, astronomy, and night-sky exploration. We’ll gather around the fire one hour before sunset to talk about mysterious sightings, constellations, planets, and what’s really happening above us.
MORE REGISTRATIONS COMING SOON!