Chester Rocks The Barn On September 17

School is in session but that doesn't mean those summer parties have to end--yet.

The Barn in Chester will be rocking once again this Saturday, September 17, to the sounds of local bands, RedCoat, Hear and There, and Danny Blomster, during the latest in Chester's "Rock the Barn" series.

The free events, targeting teens, give local youth an arena for expressing themselves through music while having fun in a safe place. Hearing stories of the heroin epidemic sweeping across other townships in the state, and fully aware that Mendham teens aren't immune to the presence or influence of drugs and alcohol, three committees, from Mendham Borough, Mendham Township, and including the Municipal Alliance, put their heads together to find more ways to keep their youth safe.

"Prevention is key," explained Chester Township Recreation Director, Maxine Finney. "We were talking about how to engage teens during a meeting this past spring--thinking along the lines of an open mic night, or a comedy show, maybe a battle of the bands--when Jack Bravstein, a senior at Morris Mendham High School came and suggested music nights. And we said, yes! That's exactly what we're trying to design! We just needed a teen in the scene."

Bravstein and some of his peers suggested using the Highlands Ridge Barn in Chester, a community venue offering a space for teen musicians, like himself, to play music to other kids. Since the idea took shape for the first event earlier this year, Bravstein has become something of a coordinator, in addition to his starring role as a guitarist performing with his band, RedCoat.

Nearly 100 local youth have attended Chester's previous Rock the Barn event. The organizers expect a similar turnout, next Saturday, and plan to provide refreshments for the dancing teens and chairs for parents. They'll also be cooperating with Chester Township Police to ensure a safe space for all who attend. The Township has also made sure to make the event free, since providing activities for kids is something the township has long been committed to.

"Chester is a tight-knit community and I think it's the strength of our community that we are youth-minded," Finney remarked. "We dedicate a lot of resources to our kids because they're our future and I just want to make it better and better for everyone."

The next Barn Rock happens on Saturday, September 17, 2016 between 7 PM and 9 PM, at the Barn at Highlands Ridge Park, 100 North Road in Chester, NJ.

Image via Maxine Finney, Chester Township, Facebook, used with permission.