CRAFTS Annual Fall Picnic

Schedule: 

Tailgate sales begin at 8:00 AM; earlier for those who wish to come before. Note: Non-members may visit the morning tailgating session, but selling is restricted to members. LOCATION for 2026 [updated August 17]: tailgating this year will be in the area around the lower entrance to the Tabernacle (or inside if raining).

Since access may be a bit tight, please remove your cars to the lot in back of the Tabernacle after unloading. Please refrain from leaving your car on the lawn around the tabernacle.

Note: there is a large area under the porch in rear of the Tabernacle. If the weather is good, you can set up outside in this area.
Please refrain from parking on the lawn around the Tabernacle. Thank you!

Displays & Contests: set up in the Dining Hall starting at about 10:00 AM. Josh Kavett will greet you – let him know if your display is a General Display or a Category Display and which category (beautiful, useful, ugly, or make-do tool). To encourage participation and the efforts needed to provide a strong educational display, we offer cash prizes to the top three primary standalone exhibits. Display tables are provided.

At the 12:00 PM lunch, members will receive from Josh or Pete Kolln Jr. one ticket for the General Display and a ticket for each of the four categories. Members will vote for the best General Display and for each category using the labeled tickets.

• Cash prizes for General Display [updated August 12]: 1st Place $200; 2nd place $150; 3rd place $100.
• Cash prize for displays of Most Beautiful Tool, Ugliest Tool, Most Unusual Tool, and Best Make-Do Tool: $25
• Winners will be invited to briefly describe to the assembled members and guests: purpose of the tool(s); its importance; its maker and manufacture; how it was acquired.

Judging guidelines: [Updated September 7] Judging will be done by the full club membership attending the picnic.

1. Displays may feature multiple tools within a tool family or individual tools.
2. Each display, including single-tool displays, must include a well-researched explanation of the tool's history and use.
3. All tools displayed must have a description of what they are, their history, and how they were used. Displays without documentation will not be accepted.
4. Patent information should be provided if it is a patented tool.
5. The tools displayed must be complete and in good condition. They should be as clean as possible.
6. If a tool appears in a catalogue and the catalogue is displayed, extra consideration should be applied.
7. If the tool is craftsman made, documentation about the maker may be provided in lieu of catalogue information.

A continental breakfast will be set up near the tailgate sales area.

Lunch is at 12:00 noon. $16 for current members, family and guests; free for children ages 12 and under. Pre-register before September 18 by filling out and mailing this form (click here).

Club announcements, contest awards, a 50/50 drawing and door prizes to take place after lunch. Note: the traditional "What's it" session has been discontinued.

Membership/Dues Notice:
A dues notice was recently sent to members. If you have not paid your dues for the 2026/2027 fiscal year, your membership will expire. Dues must be paid in order to attend the picnic.

Other craft and tool organizations: We are pleased this year to invite members of other craft and tool organizations. Members of these organizations may join us in several ways:

• You may simply attend the tool tailgating to browse and buy only; NOT participate in the rest of the day's events and NOT purchase lunch.
• If you wish to set up a tailgate table(s), we ask you to pay $15 which will cover your selling for the day AND give you one year's membership in CRAFTS, which includes 4 issues of The Tool Shed.
• Payment can be made to Stew or our picnic manager John Czekaj on the day of the picnic.

Directions:

445 Mechlin Corner Rd.
Pittstown, NJ 08867
(908) 735-4136

Google map: Click here (opens new window)

When the campground is reached drive past the lake on the right and straight into the field for tailgating. Someone will be there to assist and guide. If the weather is inclement we will be able to locate elsewhere.
Camp Tecumseh website: camptecumseh.com

From the North, West and East:

Drive to US Route 78;
Take Exit 12 to County Route 635 Perryville Road:

• Head South on Perryville Road toward Mechlin Corner Rd. (0.3 mile)
• Continue straight onto Mechlin Rd. (1.7 miles)
• Turn right onto Bloomsbury Rd. (95 feet)
• Turn left onto Mechlin Corner Rd. (1.0 mile)
• Turn right (0.4 mile)
• Turn right, destination will be on the right (0.1 mile)

From the South (Pittstown, NJ):

• Head Northeast on Pittstown Road toward Bloomsbury Rd. (289 feet)
• Turn left onto Bloomsbury Rd. (2.5 miles)
• Turn left onto Mechlin Corner Rd. (1.0 mile)
• Turn right (0.4 mile)
• Turn right, destination will be on the right (0.1 mile)

MAP OF THE CAMPUS: