Hit the Boards!

Is it really summer in New Jersey without a trip to your favorite boardwalk? From the sweet smell of funnel cake to amusement park tilt-a-whirls to a game of Skee-Ball or pinball (Silverball Retro Arcade in Asbury Park is a must!), a walk along the boards is a Jersey Shore rite of passage. In this issue, we share what we love most about six of our favorite boardwalks. Summer is also prime time for fairs and festivals, from the stunning spectacle that is the NJ Lottery Festival of Ballooning in Readington (which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year) to music and food truck fests throughout the state. Our guide on page 23 showcases the best of the best festival fun. And if you haven’t ventured to a Garden State craft brewery, head to page 31 for some top spots to savor a local brew.

In this issue, we’re thrilled to reveal our 2023 Mompreneur of the Year, Chastity Milligan, founder of Sending Goodness and a Morristown mom. Milligan turned a talent for creating unique care packages filled with homemade baked goodies and thoughtful gifts into a thriving business inspired by her late father. Read her story on page 49 and head to njfamily.com/mompreneurs to learn about our seven contest finalists, all inspiring entrepreneurs in their own right. We want to give a special shout out and thank you to Kathleen Butler Smith, founder of morphmom.com, for judging this year’s contest. You can learn more about Morphmom on page 55.

If you’re expecting or have a newborn, our special baby section offers advice to help you choose the pediatrician that’s best for your child. We’ve also rounded up a bunch of parent and me classes, genius finds for baby and more.

Happy summer!

SUMMER 2023 | NJFAMILY.COM

VOLUME 33, ISSUE 3

PUBLISHER | CINDY MIRONOVICH

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR | DINA EL NABLI

EDITOR@NJFAMILY.COM

ART DIRECTOR | LEEZA HERNANDEZ

SENIOR EDITOR | RONNIE KOENIG

ASSISTANT DIGITAL EDITOR

JENNIFER AMATO

CONTRIBUTORS

NAYDA RONDON

ARRICCA ELIN SANSONE

PRODUCTION DESIGNER

ROSA M. JOSEPH

PRODUCTION & BUSINESS MANAGER

ERICA BARTON

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING

MARCY HOLETON

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES

ANN CUSACK

CATHY GROTE

DEBBIE LUBRANSKI

BARBARA NASTRO

PAMELA PETERSON

ERIN SALMAN

ANDREA THORNE

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TAKE

BR&W is the little-railroad-that-could, serving our community for over 50 years. Our volunteer staff is dedicated to preserving railroad history and offering our guests the opportunity to experience old fashioned steam railroading right here in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. We’re proud to offer trains and events for every occasion, from holiday themed events to date night and rail-fan specials, there’s something for everyone!

See our event schedule for The Black River Limited and more! blackriverrailroad.com

From games to entertaining, these finds will amp up the fun this summer.