Essex County Daily Buzz: May 26, 2026

LOCAL NEWS

“Parent Cafe” planned with Essex Pregnancy and Parenting Connection on May 31 in Bloomfield. It is from 1-3 p.m. at Arch Wellness, 1285 Broad St. Pregnant people and families will discuss parenting. There will be food and prizes. Registration is required.
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Essex Pregnancy and Parenting Connection

East Orange school students entering grades 3-5 can attend the district’s summer academy, scheduled to start Jul. 1. It meets weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration is required.
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East Orange Public School

AAPI Heritage Month story time planned at Montclair library on May 30 in the Main Branch. It is from 3-3:45 p.m. Registration is recommended.
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Montclair Public Library

“Don’t Tell Comedy” show planned on May 30 in Montclair. It is for ages 21+. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Location available day of show. Tickets available online for purchase.
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Don’t Tell Comedy

Vintage crawl and record fair planned at Lackawanna Station on May 30-31 in Montclair. It is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Lackawanna Station

“New Jersey Keys to Tenancy” workshop planned at Montclair library on May 31 in the Main Branch. It is from 2-4:30 p.m. There will be a tenants’ rights presentation, Q&A panel, and more. The first 50 registrants will receive a free copy of “Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (and the Next)” by Dean Spade. Registration is required. Free admission.
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Montclair Public Library

“Paws for a Cause” 5K walk benefitting Friends of Montclair Township Animal Shelter planned on May 31. It is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Brookdale Park. Hosted by Fusion Academy. Attendees will meet adoptable pets and local vendors with information about animal services. Donations are accepted on-site. Free admission. Rain date is Jun. 6.
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Fusion Academy Montclair

Montclair Pride Picnic planned with Out Montclair on May 31 at Canterbury Park. It is from 1-5 p.m. There will be a community Pride art project.
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Out Montclair

Concert with Samarth Nagarkar Khyal Ensemble planned with Maplewood arts and culture on May 31. It is form 7-9p.m. at Burgdorff Cultural Center. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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Maplewood Division of Arts and Culture

Youth in grades 6-8 can participate in Maplewood recreation’s ultimate frisbee league on May 31. It is from 12:45-3:15 p.m. at Maplecrest Park. Registration is required.
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Maplewood Recreation Division

SOMSD Parenting Center and SOMA Shares seek school supply donations. Accepted items include new or gently used backpacks and new notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, crayons, markers, folders, and glue sticks. Items can be dropped off at any school within the district.
South Orange-Maplewood Public Schools

“Strawberry Festival” planned with Women’s Club of Glen Ridge on May 31. It is from 1-4 p.m. at 219 Ridgewood Ave. There will be children’s activities, gardening tips, and strawberry desserts. Admission fee varies. Registration is required.
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Women’s Club of Glen Ridge

DIY foaming hand soap for adults and seniors planned at Glen Ridge library on Jun. 2. It is from 4:30-6 p.m. Library card not required. Registration is required.
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Glen Ridge Public Library

Film screening of “The Toni Cade Bambara School of Organizing” planned at The Newark Museum of Art on May 29. It is from 7-10 p.m. A panel discussion with the director, Louis Massiah, and Rutgers-Newark professor, Salamishah Tillet, will follow. Free admission Tickets are required.
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Newark Museum of Art

Financial literacy workshop planned with Santander Bank and Ironbound Community Corporation on May 30 in Newark. It is from 12-1:30 p.m. at 317 Elm St. There will be information about budgeting and saving. Light refreshments served. There will be a raffle.
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Ironbound Community Corporation

“STEAM Around the Square” for youth planned on May 30 in Newark. It is from 12-4 p.m. at Newark Museum of Art, The Pillars, and Newark library. Attendees will build circuits, make art, and explore fossils. Free admission.
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Newark Public Library

Concert with Sergio George planned with Latinos of Montclair on May 30 in Newark. It is from 8-11 p.m. at the Prudential Center. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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Latinos of Montclair

Youth in grades 7-12 can join Nutley library’s Dungeons and Dragons tournament on Jun. 1. It is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Registration is required.
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Nutley Public Library

REGIONAL NEWS

About 300 detainees at Delaney Hall in Newark have been on a hunger and labor strike since May 22 to protest dangerous conditions inside the facility, including medical neglect, lack of air conditioning, and lack of food. Detainees called for an investigation of Delaney Hall, its operations, and for Gov. Mikie Sherrill to visit to discuss protections for immigrants. Tensions escalated on May 24 when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers removed Martin Soto, a protest organizer, from Delaney Hall and attempted to transport him to the Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility. Immigrant advocacy groups, such as Eyes on ICE and Pax Christi N.J., and community members responded to Soto’s transfer by protesting outside of Delaney Hall. Local officials joined protesters, including congresspeople and Gov. Mikie Sherrill, who was denied access to the building. ICE agents have pepper-sprayed protestors, pushed demonstrators with batons, and used an armed vehicle to deter the crowd, according to local officials and a video. The protests outside of Delaney Hall are ongoing as of May 26.
Gothamist