New Jersey Leisure Guide Monthly Newsletter
October, 2020

At this time, and until further notice,  COVID-19 executive orders  in effect apply to large public gatherings such as concerts, festivals, and fireworks. Outdoor public gatherings are limited to 500 people.
Indoor performance venues, including concert venues are open with limited restrictions, Face masks and social distancing will be required and capacity will be capped at the lesser of either 25% of the venue's capacity, or 150 people.. Indoor nightclubs that have dance floors have to remain closed. 
Bars and restaurants are open with indoor dining at 25% capacity and with social distancing between tables
Atlantic City's casinos are open at 25% capacity.

With near term cancellations occurring at a rapid rate, and despite trying to remove them as soon as we learn of the cancellations or restrictions, we  recommend viewers contact the event sponsors before heading out to a listed event to confirm their status.

The month of October is a great time of the year to take in many of the fall activities and a great time to plan a weekend getaway or late season vacation.
If you plan to get out an enjoy the beautiful fall foliage colors, especially in northwest New Jersey, the season is at it's peak from October 19th through 29th..

This Edition's Contents...

• Popular October Things To Do
• Seasonal Frequently Asked Question
• This Month's Featured Restaurant

October 2020 Things To Do

As of the date of the publication, the listed activities have not been cancelled, though many are operating with some restructions.

Sunflower Festival
Now through end of October 2020: 9am to 6pm, 7 days per week
Holland Ridge Farms
86 Rues Road
Cream Ridge, New Jersey 08514
Website
In the fall, the fields come alive again for the Sunflower Festival. Guests can wander through the towering rows of Sunflower and enjoy the warmth and happiness they inspire. While you are at the farm take the time to stroll through our barns, visit the animals and enjoy some of the charm of Holland in the Good 'ole Days museum and Holland Shop. Learn about Holland in the Hollandwood Theatre and get all your questions about flowers, including how they get their color, from their Pollinator. The Pollinator helps to create the rainbow of color in our fields.
State guidelines for COVID-19 will be enforced

HallowFest
Now through November 1, plus October 12, 2020: The park will operate from 2 to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and from 5 p.m. with varying closing times on Friday evenings
Six Flags Great Adventure
1 Six Flags Boulevard
Jackson, NJ 08527
Website & Tickets
Caution: The park is family-friendly by day, but they turn up the terror at dusk!
From 2 to 6 p.m, families and young thrill-seekers will experience HALLOWFEST Thrills by Day.
Chills by Night begins at 6 p.m. and will feature four scare zones, three shows, and three haunted mazes available outdoors in the wide-open midways, plus one indoor haunted maze:

Fall Walking Tours
Now through October 18. 2020
Historic Cold Spring
Seashore Road/Rt.626 Gate House
Cape May, NJ
Booking/tickets
$20 per person includes box lunch. (18.00 children 3-12) Members receive a $2 discount
Enjoy beautiful autumn weather as you take a guided walk through a portion of Historic Cold Spring Village and experience the mystique of days gone by. Learn the history of several of the Village buildings and the lifestyles of those who worked and lived in them. Visit the Country Store where you can purchase a unique souvenir of the Village, then enjoy a complementary mini flight tasting (4oz.) at Cold Spring Brewery (beer, sarsaparilla, or water). End your visit with a delightful box lunch from Cold Spring Grange Restaurant which can be eaten on the Brewery grounds or taken off-site

Jack O' Lantern Drive - Thru Eperience
Skylands Stadium
94 Championship Place
Augusta, NJ 07822
Tickets
Cost: $25/car
Now thru November 1st, 2020. ( rain or shine)
For 6 weeks of Pure Halloween Madness, Skylands Stadium will be decorated with over 5,000+ Jack-O-Lanterns throughout the stadium, property and surrounding corn fields! Sussex County's Family Entertainment Destination will be set ablaze with some of the most spectacular visuals you'll ever see. Perfect for families of all ages, date nights, and all lovers of Halloween Spirit. The drive-thru event is safe and spacious, with distancing in mind.

Exit 0 International Jazz Festival
October 2 - 4, 2020
Multiple venues
Cape May, NJ
Website-lineup-schedule-tickets
Cape may comes alive this weekend with more than 40 jazz performances taking place in a three day multi-venue festival featuring top national headliners.
Line-up:
Saturday & Sunday - Bass Band; Saturday - Matthew Whitaker; Saturday & Sunday - Roosevelt Collier; Saturday - Eddie Palmieri; and I Got Life: The Music of Nina Simone featuring Carol Riddick and Gerald Veasley

LBI's Annual Chowderfest
Saturday and Sunday, October 3 & 4, 2020; Rain or Shine)
Taylor Avenue ball field, Ninth Street and Taylor Avenue
(across from Schooner's Wharf and Bay Village)
Beach Haven, NJ
Website/Schedule
Chowderfest Weekend has become a tradition for family and friends to gather together to say good bye to summer and welcome the fall.
However, this year due to restrictions currently in place, the Chowderfest will bring chowder tasters directly to the source by supporting local restaurants and retailers. There will be a lot of events this year including a Chowderfest Play list for in home or on route listening, Ecommerce Chowderwear store, restaurants serving up dine and take home options as well as an online voting component, Chowder Virtual Run, social media and pop up surprises.
By allowing a full month to share the spirit of the event, it allows attendees to enjoy multiple restaurants at their own pace, avoiding overcrowding of restricted space and submitting their vote when they are sure of their choice. Starting September 5, patrons can begin purchasing Chowder cups, pints and quarts to taste so they can even create a "Chowderfest at Your House" event with online voting beginning Labor Day Weekend. Each voter can register for free and will receive the Chowderfest Virtual Information Packet. The event will be supported by interactive content as well as the announcement for the Chowderfest 2020 Overall Champion happening October 4.

Annual Amazing Pumpkin Carve - Drive-in
Wednesday, October 7 to Sunday , October 11, 2020
Woosley Park
221 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road
Hopewell Township, New Jersey
(609) 281-5887
info@hvartscouncil.org
Website/tickets (Purchase tickets in advance or at the gate during hours of operation)
Admission: $25 per vehicle (1-6 occupants) $40 per vehicle (>6 occupants) $100 per bus.
This years event will be a drive-thru Event
This family event will feature 40 colossal pumpkins will be carved and electrified by the area's most talented artists and displayed in a beautifully illuminated drive-thru all from the comfort and safety of your vehicle!
Ffriday & Saturday live bands perform from 7pm – 9pm, Sunday all-day fun and DJ with NJ Sings LLC

Central Jersey Beer Festival
Saturday October 10, 2020; Beer tasting 1PM - 5PM** (Rain or Shine, Tents will be used in case of inclement weather!)
Mercer County Park Festival Grounds. 
1665 Mercerville-Edinburg Rd
West Windsor, NJ
Website & Tickets
Cost: $10 General admission, $65 VIP Beer Tasting Ticket,
VIP Entry & Tasting beginning at 12PM Food trucks and music until 6PM
This event features over 175 beers, live music, food, and 4 hours of Beer Tasting. Bring a picnic blanket or chairs and friends and spread out on the grass in the park

14th Annual Wine Tasting
October 16, 2020; 6-10pm
Battello Restaurant
Newport Yacht Club + Marina
502 Washington Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ
Website
This charity event features a sampling of more than 90 wines, hors d'œuvers, and sweets and treats gathered from the best purveyors in the metropolitan area. All proceeds will support CASA's mission to advocate on behalf of Hudson County's foster children while moving them toward a safe and permanent home.

New Jersey Bacon Fest
Saturday, October 17 & Sunday, October 18, 2020; (Saturday, 11am-9pm; Sunday, 11am-8pm)
Flying W Airport
60 Fostertown Rd.
Medford, New Jersey
Website
Cost: $8.00
This weekend event celebrates the love for all things bacon. Over 20+ bacon loving food trucks and a ton of bacon vendors will be there to satisfy all of your bacon cravings. The festival will also have live bands on two stages with the areas best bands , beer, bourbon, wine, and of course swine.

3rd Annual Ghoul Spring Village
Friday & Saturday , October 23 & 24, 2020; 5:30am-8:00pm
Historic Cold Spring Village
720 US 9
Cape May, NJ
609-898-2300
Website
Cost: $5.00 Adults $3.00 Children 12 & under. Advance tickets available online at hcsv.org or available at the gate at time of event.
Join in as they pierce the veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead.
This event is a a family-friendly haunted walk-thru for young and old alike.

1830s All Hallow's Eve Celebration
Saturday, October 24, 2020 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The Historic Village at Allaire
4263 Atlantic Avenue
Wall Township, NJ
Tickets
Step back in time and celebrate Halloween with our villagers as they would have in the 19th century! Learn about Halloween's long rich history and the origin of the traditions we know of today!
Participate in the "Allaire Scare Pumpkin Dare" - a carved pumpkin contest! Contestants need to have a pre-purchased ticket for All Hallow's Eve and bring a carved pumpkin to the Event (Day Of) where it will be entered into a "scare" category and judged! Winner gets a basket full of prizes, valued in excess of $500!

Seasonal Frequently Asked Question:

Question: Cape May in the Fall. We are looking for an offseason getaway in October and was wondering if Cape May at this time of the year is still active?

Answer: Cape May is not just a summer resort, the fall season is very popular with many theme weekends and the water is still warm enough to visit the beach. If you go on a weekend, everything will be open. During the week some stores and restaurants may have shorter hours but most will still maintain regular hours. Cape May does not reach a lull until after Christmas. B & B's are very popular in the fall and you will need to book early

For more inforamtion visit the Cape May Visitors Guide

This Months Featured Restaurant

Il Capriccio
Whippany, NJ
Website
Il Capriccio is an exceptional fine dining destination restaurant, with an Italian villa ambiance, ideal for celebrating a special occasion or a romantic dining experience. The food is prepared with healthy, high quality, fresh ingredients.
Review

Top Ten Things To Do in October - The popular NJ seasonal outdoor and indoor activities, events, attractions, and points of interest for people of all ages.

Discover The Best Halloween Events in New Jersey - Halloween in New Jersey has many "scary" and "not so scary" frightful shows, events, attractions, and parades that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Monthly Events - This page has links to events that appear in future months, usually 3-4 months in advance. The Monthly newsletter that you are receiving includes many of the events found on the pages.