Area 57: Flying Objects and Other Fun Invading Warren Community College on May the 4th

Nevada has Area 51. Warren County has Area 57! If you are curious about life – after high school or looking to change careers – but are uncertain of your future, check out Area 57 and the Uncrewed Systems Programs at Warren Community College, Route 57, Washington. What better day to hold such an event than Saturday, May the 4th, 2024 (rain date May 5)

Area 57 will showcase the College’s nationally acclaimed Uncrewed Systems Program, which teaches piloting, design, and development, and the maintenance and repair of drones, as well as AI and Robotics. Hear from staff, current and former students. Area 57 focuses on careers, education, and fun – an important combination in life. The event will include other aviation and types of tech, like hot air balloons, combat, and FRC robots, showcased at both the College and neighboring Warren Technical School. Tech vendors, exhibitors, clubs, and leagues welcome.

Drones were first used as military devices. One of the first aerial systems used by the military was a combination of hot air balloon and torpedo, in the late 19th century. Hot air balloons were also used for reconnaissance, observation, and communication. As technology advanced balloons were equipped with cameras, telegraphs, and other instruments that allowed for even better reconnaissance and observation. Other types of uncrewed aerial vehicles were pilotless torpedoes, used in World War I. Fast forward to 1990s when the US military ramped up the development and use of drones, like the well-known Predator drones. Around 2006, the use of drones for non-military applications began.

In 2017, Warren began to build what is now a nationally acclaimed Uncrewed Systems Program, known as WarrenUAS, that industry leaders and the FAA have recognized as one of the best in the country. Uncrewed Systems technology is one of the fastest-growing sectors in today’s career market. It is the future of aviation and all transportation. Uncrewed vehicles are used today in an ever-increasing number of industries such as surveying, construction, mining, environmental sciences, agriculture, commercial package delivery, public utilities/energy, cinematography and photography, search and rescue, and public safety/law enforcement. And all these industries are currently understaffed in qualified professionals.

Warren offers the following programs, to help you get started in one of these industries:
– Associate of Applied Science in Uncrewed Systems – Learn to pilot drones and robots, and repair them.
– Option available for Precision Agriculture studies.
– Option available for Commercial Space Operations.
– Drone Pilot Certificate – Become an FAA-licensed Drone Pilot.
– Drone Repair & Maintenance Certificate – Learn how drones and robots work and how to repair them.

More Activities at Area 57:
Garden State Combat Robot League (GSCRL.org) invite you watch or participate in May the 4th Be With You combat robot bout. The competition features 1 & 3 lb. Beetleweights, Plastic Ants, and Antweights. Registration will be open on www.robotcombatevents.com closer to the competition date.

Several FRC (First Robotics Competition) robots will be on display along with their teams. Learn all about participating from Team 56 from Bound Brook and Team Impact from local Warren Hills High School.

Warren Community College is also home to two popular Hot Air Balloon Festivals. Planned balloon activities for Area 57 include a presentation on How A Balloon Works. Get hands-on experience handling a balloon, with RE/MAX of NJ. Walk inside an actual hot air balloon, that will be cold-inflated with fans. A special-shaped hot air balloon, Fred G. Monster, will also invade the event. Take a tethered balloon ride and get an aerial view of the festivities, as the weather allows. ($30 adult, $20 youth up to 12 years of age.)

Stop by the new Fascination Place children’s activity area for some free STEM-related crafts and games. Build a rocket at the Moon Base: Launch Pad 57 tent. There will be different levels for different age groups. Take the Warren County’s Timeline of Technology scavenger hunt challenge. Learn all about Warren County’s past, present and future technological revolutions while you search for clues in a scavenger hunt.

Time travel with Autocades mobile arcade and their space and science-fiction-themed classics.  Blast space bugs in Galaga, stop the alien invasion in Defender, avoid the assault in Asteroids, and for MAY THE 4TH, take down the Death Star on the Atari Star Wars space shooter with its iconic vector graphics and learn the ways of the Jedi on the Star Wars video pinball machine. ($5 wristband to play.)

The event is free for students and Veterans, $4 for seniors and $7 for adults.  Tickets may be reserved or purchased online. Please have appropriate ID with you at check in. Food will be available for purchase.

To keep up to date on the full schedule of events, visit www.balloonfestnj.com. For more information on the event call or text organizer, Giulia Grotenhuis, at 908-283-0721, or via email at info@balloonfestnj.com.

Area 57 is organized by Flying Festivals of Warren County, in cooperation with the Warren Community College Foundation. Supported in part by a grant from the NJ Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism (VisitNJ.org).

For more New Jersey events throughout the year, check out our Event Guide. For more New Jersey adventures and New Jersey Events, be sure to follow along on Instagram, @newjerseyisntboring, and Insta Stories! Don’t forget to tag your own NJ fun with #NJisntBoring.