The World Cup is down to its final matches, and Lackawanna Station is going all the way to the end. But there’s plenty happening beyond soccer this weekend, July 17 through 19: a free morning talk with a Newark entrepreneur, a summer hike through the South Mountain Reservation, a backyard BBQ at Montclair Brewery and live jazz to close out Sunday. Here’s what’s worth your time.
CreativeMornings: Charles Rosen on Competition
Friday, July 17, 9:30 to 11 a.m. | Lackawanna Station, 1 Lackawanna Plaza | Free
CreativeMornings is a global breakfast lecture series with more than 250 chapters across 70 countries, and the Montclair chapter is the only one in New Jersey. This month’s speaker is Charles Rosen, founder and CEO of Ironbound Hard Cider and New Ark Farms, a Newark-based social enterprise built around regenerative agriculture and workforce development for formerly incarcerated individuals. The talk follows the global theme of “Competition.” The event takes place inside Ironbound Farm Market, the last spot on the left down the hallway from the main entrance. Free coffee from RecRoom and breakfast from Burgers Donuts Potatoes. Doors open at 9:30; the speaker takes the stage around 10.
Summer Hike at South Mountain Reservation
Saturday, July 18, 9:30 a.m. to noon | Tulip Springs Parking Lot, South Mountain Reservation | Free, registration required
South Mountain Conservancy leads free guided hikes through the reservation nearly every week of the year, and this Saturday’s is a moderate 4-5 mile loop at a relaxed pace, starting at the Tulip Springs Parking Lot. It’s a good option if you want to be in the woods before the heat settles in. Pre-registration is required at least two days in advance, and spots are capped at 25. Questions: call leader Janine Beer at 201-694-7998.
Watch the World Cup Final at Lackawanna Station
Saturday, July 18, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 19, 11:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Lackawanna Station, 1 Lackawanna Plaza | Free
Summer of Soccer has been running at Lackawanna Station since June 11, and this weekend it ends where it was always headed: the finals. Saturday is the Bronze Final, the third-place match, and Sunday is the World Cup Final itself, played 15 minutes away at MetLife Stadium. The finalists are still to be determined. General admission to watch at Lackawanna is free
World Cup Watch Party at The Wellmont Arts Plaza
Sunday, July 19, 1 p.m. | Wellmont Arts Plaza, 5 Seymour St. | Free
Head to The Wellmont Arts Plaza from 1 to 7 PM for a free community screening on a massive 16-foot LED wall, courtesy of Latinos of Montclair, Montclair Center BID, and the Montclair Cultural Arts Advisory Committee.
Expect a live DJ, a kids’ fan zone, and a full bar (no outside alcohol, so leave the cooler at home). Bring a chair, wear your jersey, and come cheer on whoever’s left standing, or just soak up the World Cup energy with your neighbors.
Kinfolk BBQ at Montclair Brewery
Saturday, July 18, 5 to 10 p.m. | Montclair Brewery, 101 Walnut St. | Free
Montclair Brewery is hosting a backyard-style BBQ Saturday evening, with freshly prepared food including Texas brisket, North Carolina pulled pork, Memphis ribs and wings by Kinfolk BBQ and the brewery’s full lineup of beers on tap. A low-key way to spend the evening after the third-place match.
Live Jazz at Bleu Coffee
Sunday, July 19, 1 to 4 p.m. | Bleu Coffee, 8 Erie St. | Free
Bleu Coffee closes out the weekend with a three-hour live jazz set from Aeterna Fuse, a smooth jazz group, on the same afternoon as the World Cup final. Come early, stay for the music and catch the match when it kicks off.
For the full list of upcoming events in Montclair, visit montclairpod.com/events.
Image credit: CreativeMornings Montclair
