The Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, central New Jersey's first environmental group, is celebrating 60 watershed years during its 34th annual Watershed Fest.

This year's fundraising festival will highlight the watershed association's 60- year history protecting clean water and the environment in central New Jersey, and will feature food, music and auctions, according to a watershed association press release.

New attractions include the premier of a 60th anniversary video created by students at Hopewell Valley Central High School, and an array of creative displays illustrating the association's past, present and future.

The festival will take place at the 860- acre Watershed Reserve in Hopewell. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 3 with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, live music and a silent auction. The festival will also feature dinner served by Emily's Café and Catering and a live auction that gives guests the chance to take home trips, tickets, jewelry, restaurant packages and more.

The Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, a nonprofit organization, protects the 265-square-mile region drained by the Stony Brook and Millstone River — an area spanning 26 towns and five counties. Founded in 1949, the watershed association protects clean water and the environment through conservation, advocacy, science and education.

"For 60 years the watershed association has worked diligently to protect clean water and the environment throughout central New Jersey," Jim Waltman, the association's executive director, said in the press release. "We are proud to be celebrating such an inspiring milestone and are excited to be entering a new era of environmental awareness as a leader and model of sustainable actions and environmental responsibility."

The watershed festival provides critical support for Watershed Association's conservation, advocacy, science and education efforts. The 34th annual fest is co-chaired by husband and wife team Bill Carmean, a member of the association's Board of Trustees, and Nancy Ross, a member of the association's Advisory Board.

"From one of the very first watershed associations in the nation, to the largest watershed group in New Jersey, the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association green and growing," Mr. Carmean said the release. "Nancy and I are thrilled to be hosting the watershed association's 60th anniversary celebration."

The association will also announce the winner of the festival raffle on Oct. 3. For $10, anyone can purchase a raffle ticket win a handcrafted Cricket Forge butterfly garden bench.

Tickets to the festival cost $175 and can be purchased by calling the watershed association's office at 609-737-3735, ext. 28, or by visiting their website at http://www.thewatershed. org/events/fest2009.html.