On Sunday afternoon, September 30, 2018, the Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey will again welcome dance caller Dave Harvey and the Backyard Boys, a live acoustic band, for an open barn dance. The dance will be held at the Alpine Pavilion at Alpine Picnic Area and Boat Basin from 2 to 4 PM. All ages are welcome to give it a try, and no reservations, experience, or dance partners are needed to participate. Admission to the program is free.

At the foot of the Palisades alongside the Hudson River, the open-air, covered pavilion provides a beautiful afternoon setting for the program. Built in 1934, a new hardwood floor on which the dance will be held complements its native stone and timber construction. $2 hot dogs will be on sale while they last.

Dave Harvey, founder of New York City Barn Dance, will call the afternoon dance, offering simple and engaging instruction. Harvey will be accompanied by the Backyard Boys band. “Dave is an amazing teacher. He has a way of getting everyone out there having fun,” Eric Nelsen, a historical interpreter at the park who is coordinating the program, noted.

Because the pavilion is covered the dance will be held rain or shine. The area is accessible to cars and cyclists from the park’s Alpine entrance at Alpine Approach Road, off U.S. Route 9W about half a mile north of Closter Dock Road, or to cars only from the Palisades Interstate Parkway at Exit 2. (Click here for detailed directions.) For additional information about the program, visitors can call 201-768-1360 ext. 108.