Essex County Daily Buzz: May 28, 2026

LOCAL NEWS

Belleville’s food truck festival is Jun. 6. It is from 12-8 p.m. at Belleville Municipal Stadium. There will be live music and a beer, wine, and margarita garden.
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Belleville Township

“Pride Under the Stars” planned with Bloomfield Pride and Bloomfield Center Alliance on Jun. 5. It is from 6-10 p.m. along Washington Street. There will be food, vendors, and music.
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Bloomfield Center Alliance

Comedy show fundraiser with Bret Raybould benefitting Bloomfield library on Jun. 5. It begins at 8 p.m. Attendees must be ages 21+. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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Bloomfield Public Library

Mobile mammogram and cervical cancer screenings planned with East Orange on Jun. 4. Free and low-cost screenings are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bowser Family Senior Center. Appointments can be scheduled online.
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East Orange City

Summer reading launch party planned with East Orange school district on Jun. 4. It is from 4-6 p.m. at 135 Glenwood Ave. There will be games, music, prizes, food, and refreshments.
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East Orange Public Schools

“Back to the Parks” event for children and families planned on Jun. 5 in East Orange. There will be games and activities from 5-8 p.m. at Oval Park.
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East Orange Recreation and Cultural Affairs

Guyana flag raising planned on Jun. 5 in East Orange. It begins at 5 p.m. at City Hall Plaza.
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East Orange City

Traditional Chinese tea tasting for adults planned at Glen Ridge library on Jun. 6. It begins at 11 a.m. Registration is required.
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Glen Ridge Public Library

Children can read to a dog at Maplewood library on Jun. 4 in the Hilton Branch. it is from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Registration is not required.
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Maplewood Public Library

MAPSO’s Lavender Ball for LGBTQ+ and ally youth is on Jun. 5 in Maplewood. It is from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at 60 Woodland Rd. Student ID required.
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Maplewood Division of Arts and Culture

Columbia High School’s film and animation showcase is Jun. 6 in South Orange. It is from 6-8 p.m. at the Baird Community Center and will show student films.
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South Orange Recreation and Cultural Affairs

Science fiction-fantasy book club meeting planned with South Orange library on Jun. 6. Attendees will discuss “Operation Bounce House” by Matt Dinniman from 1-2 p.m. at the Baird Community Center. Registration is not required.
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South Orange Public Library

Disability Pride Parade and Inclusion Fair planned with Montclair on May 30. It is from 12-3 p.m. at the corner of Church Street and Bloomfield Avenue. There will be speakers, music, and more.
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Montclair Center

“Free First Thursday: Pride” planned at Montclair Art Museum on Jun. 4. It is from 5-9 p.m. and there will be music, performances, food trucks, crafts, and more. Registration is required.
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Out Montclair

Montclair African-American Heritage Foundation’s parade and festival is Jun. 6. The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. at Glenfield Middle School and the festival is from 1-6 p.m. at Nishuane Park. There will be music and vendors.
Montclair African American Heritage Foundation (MAAH).

Free concert with Pride Choir planned on Jun. 6 in Montclair. It begins at 7 p.m. at Union Congregational Church. Tickets are available online for purchase.
Out Montclair

Newark youth can attend a free college readiness program starting Jun. 3 at Newark library’s Vailsburg Branch. It meets weekly from 3:30-5 p.m. through Jun. 24. Registration is required. Library card not required.
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Newark Public Library

Gala benefitting Wynona’s House Child Advocacy Center, a domestic abuse treatment center in Newark, planned on Jun. 4 in Caldwell. It is from 6-9:30 p.m. at Blue Rose Venue, 31 Westville Ave. There will be cocktails, food, awards, and more. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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Wynona House Child Advocacy Center

Community baby shower planned with Albright’s Daughter, a resource organization, on Jun. 6 in Newark. It begins at 11 a.m. at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church. There will be baby essentials, giveaways, and more. Registration is required.
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Albright’s Daughter

Forest Hill house and garden tour planned with Branch Brook Park Alliance on Jun. 6. It is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $35 and benefit the Forest Hill Community Association.
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Branch Brook Park Alliance

“Rock Hunger and Fight Food Insecurity” benefit concert supporting Nutley Family Service Bureau planned on Jun. 6. The concert begins at 2 p.m. at The Old Canal Inn, 2 East Passaic Ave. There will be live music, a cash bar, and raffles. Tickets are $25. Proceeds will benefit NSFB’s food pantry and social service programs.
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Nutley Family Service Bureau

Orange school district’s spelling bee is scheduled for Jun. 6. It begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Orange Preparatory Academy of Inquiry and Innovation.
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Orange Public Schools

REGIONAL NEWS

West Orange planning board rejected the West Essex Highlands project after almost two years of opposition from residents, environmental advocates, and elected officials. The proposal comes from Garden Homes, a Short Hills–based company owned by billionaire real estate developer Zygmunt Wilf and his family, which had a similar development plan more than 20 years ago that was rejected by West Orange’s planning board because of flood risk, steep slopes, and limited access for emergency vehicles. The proposal resurfaced after the township settled with Wilfs’ company in 2020 in order to avoid a lawsuit that could lead to larger development. In July 2024, the West Orange Environmental Commission asked the planning board to postpone reviewing the application because it could damage state-protected wetlands, worsen erosion, and disturb the Canoe Brook.
Montclair Local.