Bernardsville is a small suburban town located in northern Jersey. It's known for its abundance of banks and pizza parlors within a mile radius of each other, preppy school kids wearing Vineyard Vines, and that one movie theatre who's biggest screening room can probably fit a maximum of fifty people. It can also be seen as being combined with neighboring towns such as Gladstone, Peapack, Far Hills, and Bedminister since the school systems are completely intertwined.
Even though Bernardsville may just seem like a rich, snobby town, it does have it's good parts: beautiful scenery, the Coffee Shop, a very close-knit community atmosphere. Although we love to complain about our town half the time, we still wouldn't trade the experience of growing up here for anything. If you grew up in Bernardsville, NJ, there's no doubt you can relate to these 5 things:
1. You've had to begrudgingly shove your way through a mountain of middle schoolers to get to Starbucks or Burger King.
It's 3 o'clock on a Friday afternoon, and you suddenly get a craving for an iced mocha. It's risky, but I think I'll make it before THEY arrive, you tell yourself. You sprint to your car and speed to Starbucks. Okay, coast is clear. You start to make your way out of your car and to the Starbucks entrance. All of the sudden, the smell of Axe body spray hits your face, you hear the snapping of phone cameras in the distance. Oh, dear lord... and before you know it, there are 20 kids between the ages of 12 and 14 standing outside Starbucks. Okay, that story might have been a bit exaggerated, but the sad part is, I didn't exaggerate much. The center of town, where the Starbucks and Burger King are located, is the "cool" hangout for the middle schoolers. Of course, at one point or another, every middle school kid spends their Friday afternoons in town, but as you grow up, you realize how annoying it is. What's so appealing about standing outside restaurants for hours on end? The world may never know.
2. Sounds Around Town is one of your favorite times of the year.
Some might even say...it's your jam. *ba dum tss* It's honestly really relaxing to just walk around with your friends, listen to music, and grab some free samples. Everyone in the town comes together for two nights a year to enjoy the nice weather and support local bands. Although #1 becomes an even bigger problem for SAT, it doesn't stop anyone from having a good time.
3. The Coffee Shop has the best breakfast food, no arguments.
It's the best place to grab some coffee and some delicious pancakes. New Jersey is known for it's diners, and Bernardsville is lucky to have a mini one right in the center of town! If you and your friend wanted to grab breakfast, the Coffee Shop was always high up on your list of places to go.
4. Friday night football games are a town event.
There's never enough room in the bleachers to fit the massive crowd that gathers every time there's a home game. It's always a good way to catch up with people you haven't talked to in a while and support the high school football team. The younger kids get to dress up to match whatever theme is in place for the night, the older kids get to post great Instagram pictures, and the adults get to drink beer and chat amongst each other. Football games bring the entire community together for an all-American, fun filled night.
5. The Hunt is the social event of the year.
"Paying over $100 to get drunk and maybe watch ONE horse run by? Sign me up."- Everyone in Somerset County. College kids fly home for this wondrous occasion, and are able to catch up with friends from high school and party in public. #TheHunt begins to go viral on Instagram and Twitter from the moment it begins. Vests layered over flannel shirts with leggings and boots are the ideal outfit for both genders, and if that's not what you're wearing, you'll stuck out like a sore thumb. There's a reason why it's so popular throughout New Jersey: it really is the best party you will go to.
All in all, Bernardsville has it's pros and cons like any other town in the world. However, to the people that live here, it really is a great place that will always hold a special place in our hearts.
