Mark your calendars now because on July 15, from 3 to 8:30 p.m., the Sourland Conservancy will be hosting its 18th Annual Sourland Mountain Festival at Unionville Vineyards, 9 Rocktown Road in Ringoes. This event will again be presented by Unionville Vineyards, with a VIP Experience provided by The Ryland Inn.

The Sourland Mountain Festival is known for live music, local food, craft beer, wine and spirits, mountain history, and family activities. Proceeds will benefit the Sourland Conservancy, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the history and ecology of the Sourland Mountain region of New Jersey.

The Sourland Mountain Festival truly has something for everyone and new this year is a Cool Critters area where children young and old can visit with animals and amphibians, while learning about the rich farming history of the Sourland region. Guests can pet some of the critters, ask questions to farmers and naturalists, and view live demonstrations.

Tickets are available for purchase at www.sourlandmountainfest.com/tickets. Space is limited to the first 1,000 tickets sold. Proceeds support the Sourland Conservancy’s mission to protect, promote, and preserve the unique character of the Sourland Mountain region.

The 90-square-mile Sourland region is home to the largest contiguous forest in Central New Jersey. It encompasses a complex ecosystem of forest, wetlands, and grasslands and is home to an incredibly rich diversity of plant and animal life. Learn more at www.sourland.org.