Livingston's Youth Appreciation Week turns 30 with four days of family events running Thursday, Sept. 24, through Sunday, Sept. 27.
The Healthy Community Healthy Youth Initiative of Livingston, known as HCHY, will chair the celebration for the 18th consecutive year. Alan Karpas, president of HCHY, said the organization is eager to mark the milestone.
The week opens Thursday, Sept. 24, with the Building Blocks Workshop, a Lego event for families at the Livingston Senior/Community Center, 204 Hillside Ave. The 2026 theme ties into the America 250th anniversary, featuring historic New Jersey buildings from the Revolutionary War era and a giant state map showing their locations and important battles. The workshop runs 6 to 8 p.m.
Pre-registration is required through Community Pass or in person at the Recreation and Senior Services office. Cost is $25 per family or $10 per individual ages 10 and older.
On Friday, Sept. 25, Parents' Night Out gives families a break. Parents can drop off children in grades K through 5 at the Senior/Community Center from 6:30 to 9 p.m. for a supervised mini-camp with games, a movie, pizza and a snack. Pre-registration is required.
Saturday, Sept. 26, packs two events into one day. The Livingston Police Department's Third Annual Community Block Party runs 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Oval, combining three traditions: the police community event, Youth Appreciation Week's Family Fun Festival and the Livingston Fire Department's annual open house.
Free activities include a petting zoo, pony rides, craft tent, chalk walk, robotics demonstrations and a touch-a-truck experience. The Fire Department will display apparatus and equipment, and the Livingston First Aid Squad will assist with a vehicle extrication demonstration.
The Block Party also features tethered hot air balloon rides from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., with all proceeds going to Shiv's Third Eye, a Livingston-based charity, in memory of resident Shiv Kulkarni. Only 200 tickets will be sold, cash only, at $10 each. Tickets go on sale Thursday, Sept. 17, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Police Headquarters on a first-come, first-served basis.
No refunds will be given if weather cancels the balloon, according to the township's announcement, since all proceeds benefit the charity.
Saturday evening continues with the Movie Under the Stars and Town-wide Campout starting at 4:30 p.m. The 2026 film is "Elio." The evening includes games, dinner and activities for kids.
The week wraps Sunday, Sept. 27, with Bike Livingston from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. The free ride starts between Livingston Town Hall and the West Essex YMCA, with four-mile, seven-mile and eleven-mile route options and interactive bicycle stations along the way. Registration is required at livingstonnj.org/YouthAppreciationWeek.
Livingston Police Chief Gary Marshuetz said in an Aug. 27 Patch announcement that the Block Party builds on the department's relationship with residents. "We're proud to partner with Youth Appreciation Week and our fellow first responders once again," Marshuetz said.
In case of rain, the Block Party will be postponed. Weather updates will be posted on the Livingston Township, NJ Facebook page and at livingstonnj.org. Full event details and registration links are available at livingstonnj.org/YouthAppreciation or by calling 973-535-7925.
Upcoming Youth Appreciation Week events:
- Thursday, Sept. 17 — Hot air balloon ride tickets on sale, 4:30–6 p.m., Police Headquarters ($10 cash, 200 available)
- Thursday, Sept. 24 — Building Blocks Lego Workshop, 6–8 p.m., Senior/Community Center
- Friday, Sept. 25 — Parents' Night Out, 6:30–9 p.m., Senior/Community Center
- Saturday, Sept. 26 — Community Block Party, 1–4:30 p.m., the Oval; Movie Under the Stars & Campout, 4:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 27 — Bike Livingston, 8:30–11:30 a.m., Town Hall/West Essex YMCA
