New Jersey Leisure Guide Monthly Newsletter
October 2021

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 Events & Things To Do
• Seasonal Frequently Asked Question
• This Month's Featured Restaurant
  
  Note: Sometimes conditions require cancellations or changes of dates, times and location which are not reflected in the original schedule. Before planning a trip to visit one of the listed events, it is suggested that you call the event sponsor to confirm the event schedule or for additional information on the event.
  

October 2021 Events & Things To Do .

An Olde Time Italian Festival
Friday, Saturday, October 1, 2, 2021; Friday: 5 p.m. - 10pm, Saturday: noon to 10pm.
Fox Park at Ocean Avenue
between Burk and Montgomery Avenues
Wildwood
609-374-0016
Website
An 'Old World' family festival featuring crafts, games, rides, great Italian food and continuous FREE live entertainment. Lots of fabulous food & merchandise vendors. Entertainment Headliners are The Skyliners on Friday, & Bobby Rydell on Saturday!

Jack O' Lantern Eperience
October 1st thru November 7th, 2021
Skylands Stadium
94 Championship Place
Augusta, NJ 07822
Website/Tickets
Cost: $19-$24, or $36 for VIP Access
For 6 weeks of Pure Halloween Madness, Skylands Stadium will be decorated with over 6,000+ Jack-O-Lanterns throughout the stadium, on a 45-minute walk. The property and surrounding corn fields 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.

Sunflower Festival
Late September through end of October 2021: 9am to 6pm, 7 days per week
Holland Ridge Farms
86 Rues Road
Cream Ridge, New Jersey 08514
Website/Tickets
Cost: $12.80 per person aged 3 and up
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 COVI31st Annual Cranberry Fest
October 2nd and 3rd, 2021
Downtown Bordentown, Farnsworth Ave.
Bordentown, NJ
609-414-0828
Website
This family event features live music. a beer garden. "Family Friendly" Kids Zone, and over 175 artists and artisans, crafters and makers in offering one of a kind, handmade, vintage, and upcycled treats to nourish both the heart and the home.D-19 will be enforced.

Asbury Park PorchFest
Saturday, October 2, 2021; (rain date Saturday, October 9th)
Asbury Park, NJ
Website/Band performers/Map
This family-friendly, Free event features musicians from a wide variety of genres. Afternoon entertainment will include dozens of performers on porches throughout the city. Attendees will stroll from porch to porch and relax on front lawns and sidewalks as they enjoy live, local talent. Bring your own folding chair, water, and an umbrella just in case we get sprinkles or to block the sun. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes!

LBI's Annual Chowderfest
October 2, 3, 2021
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.
Celebrate with vendors, brews on tap, live music lineup, and ChowderMonth champion announcements in Beach Haven! The Festival will be a non-tasting event.
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.
Starting September 4 and until October 2, you can upport restaurants directly by purchasing their competition chowder. Then, place your vote online for your favorite in Red, White and Creative categories! Voting closes on Oct 2 at 11:55 p.m.
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 2021 Overall Champion.

JC Harvest Festival
October 2, 2021; 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
City Hall Plaza
280 Grove Street
Jersey City, NJ
Website
This family event features many fun fall festivities including pumpkin decorating, arts & crafts, music, food vendors and more!

4th Annual Rock for Awareness Festival
October 2, 2021; 11:30 am - 6pm
Community Park
2255 Bridge Ave
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Website
This event features music all day, food trucks, crafts, kids activities, and more. The music headliner will be the Nerds. Bill Spadea of radio 101.5 will also be appearing.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Nicholas Hudanish Foundation whose mission is to raise awareness and improve the understanding of the epidemic of addiction; to strive to develop substance abuse prevention and behavioral health co-educational programs and outreaches and to seek to empower teens to lead drug-free lives.

NJBG Fall Harvest Fest
October 2, 2021; 10:00 am – 5:00 pm , Rain date: October 3rd
Skylands Manor, NJBG
5 Morris Rd
Ringwood, NJ
Website
Free Admission. Parking $5
This day full of family fun features activities for all ages, including hay rides, craft fair, pumpkin painting, applesauce making, free children’s games, an autumn plant sale, and a fairway full of booths and exhibits. A Craft Fair, all day music and dancing, and lots of tasty things to eat will ensure a good time for all. Take one of the free tours, or wander through the Gardens on your own self-guided tour. And don’t forget to bring your camera – always plenty of fine photo ops.

31st Annual Cranberry Fest
October 2nd and 3rd, 2021
Downtown Bordentown, Farnsworth Ave.
Bordentown, NJ
609-414-0828
Website
This family event features live music. a beer garden. "Family Friendly" Kids Zone, and over 175 artists and artisans, crafters and makers in offering one of a kind, handmade, vintage, and upcycled treats to nourish both the heart and the home.

Hoboken Arts & Music Festival
Sunday. October 3, 2021: 11am to 6pm
Washington St. bet. Observer Highway & 7th St.
Hoboken, NJ
Website
This family event features 3 stages of live music, displays and sales by artists, crafters, food vendors and local businesses. Activities for children on 3rd St. in the Capital One Bank Parking Lot with rides, games, craft activities and more.

6th Annual Oktoberfest
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, October 8, 9, 10, 2021
Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten
527 Lake Avenue
Asbury Park, NJ
732-997-8767
Website
The Jersey Shores Authentic Oktoberfest celebration in their Munich style, tented Biergarten Roof top. The event features Food, Beer, Oktoberfest Merchandise, and Live Polka Bands.

Annual Sussex County Harvest Honey and Garlic Festival
October 9, 2021 10am - 4pm
Sussex County Fairgrounds
37 Plains Road
Branchville, NJ
Free event
Website
This family festival is a celebration of agritourism, ecotourism and arts & heritage tourism.
The Festival will include local artisans, crafters and vendors plus displays highlighting northern New Jersey's great open spaces and natural history. For kids there'll be a hay ride, pumpkin painting, face painting and crafts.

West Milford Autumn Lights Festival
Saturday October 9, 2021; 10am - 5pm
Union Valley Rd
West Milford, NJ
Website
info@autumnlightsfestival.com
The Autumn Lights Festival first started 20 years ago as a celebration to West Milford for getting its first traffic light! In the beginning it was just the town gathering on the lawn of Town Hall.
Today it has grown to a street fair that has over 300 vendors, live music, child activities, games and rides. With about 20,000 'ALFers' that visit throughout the day.

Atlantic City Comedy Festival
October 9 & 10, 2021
Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
2301 Boardwalk
Atlantic City, NJ
Tickets
Line up:
Saturday 10/9:
Sommore, DC Young Fly, Lavell Crawford, Kountry Wayne, Karlous Miller
Sunday 10/10:
Mike Epps, Bruce Bruce, Arnez J, Earthquake, Desi Banks.

Lambertville Shad Festival
October 9th & 10th, 2021 ( rain or shine)
Downtown Lamberville, NJ and nearby Delaware River towns.
Website
director@lambertvillechamber.com
The annual Lambertville Shad Festival has evolved from a local art show into a nationally recognized award-winning event. Shad Fest features the area's finest artists and crafters, great food, and family entertainment, face painting, sand Art, and other children's activities. and yes, shad! Don't miss the fun and educational shad seining demonstrations down at Lewis Island where the Delaware River Basin Commission will be teaching us about how to test water quality. The two-day extravaganza also serves as a venue for local non-profit organizations to raise necessary operating funds.

Crystal Springs Music Fest
Sunday, October 10, 2021
Crystal Springs Resort
3 Wild Turkey Way
Hamburg, NJ
Website
888) 388-3472
Enjoy live music under the tent by local sensations plus talent from across the U.S. and Latin America. Your favorite drinks, tasty food choices and fun lawn games await in a casual outdoor setting surrounded by spectacular foliage. There will also be food trucks; a full premium bar with themed cocktails, wine and beer; bourbon tastings; and lawn games. street fair that has over 300 vendors, live music, child activities, games and rides. With about 20,000 'ALFers' that visit throughout the day.

Carli Lloyd Retirement Celebration
October 14, 2021; Gates will open at 5:30 p.m.
Delran Community Park
12 Hartford Road
Delran, NJ
Website
Admission: Free
This celebration of women's soccer star Carli Lioyd features an outdoor party that includes live music, special surprise guests, food trucks, and fireworks. Carli Lioyd grew up in Delran where she first fell in love with soccer and went on to 16-year-long career. A DJ and food trucks will be on hand at that time. The Soul Cruisers Band will perform at 6 p.m., followed by a presentation at 7 p.m. and fireworks at 8 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a towel or blanket.

Camden County Fair
October 15 and 16, 2021
Camden County Fairgrounds
508 Lakeland Road
Gloucester Township, NJ
Website
The event includes rides and games, carnival food and food trucks, live music and dance, free pony rides and a petting zoo. 4-H Youth Projects will be on display and demonstrated.

Annual Pumpkin Festival & Share the Harvest Food Drive
Saturday, October 16, 2021; 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Historic Cold Spring Village
720 Route 9
South Cape May, NJ 08204
Website
(609) 886-7880
Cost: Free Admission, please bring a non-perishable food item
This family event features pumpkin painting and games throughout the day. A variety of crafters will sell their wares along the Village's shell-paved lanes. Vendors will be selling hot dogs, funnel cake, and other snacks. Visit a haunted house at the Village Barn and hop on a fall hayride through the farm. Don't miss the Children's Halloween Parade at 11 am.

Annual Ghoul Spring Village
Friday & Saturday, October 22 & 23, 2021; 5:30pm-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

Night of Frights
October 22, 23, 2021: @6pm
The Historic Village at Allaire
4263 Atlantic Ave.
Farmingdale, NJ
Website & Tickets
Cost: $10 – $15
Enjoy the village grounds and historic buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries...visit with ghosts, ghouls, and monsters. Storytelling at the Chapel; a special night out at the Blacksmith Shop; the Manager's House with fortune-telling for your entertainment; Mr. Allaire's Macabre House; the Carriage House with legendary spirits; the towering four story shadows of the General Store stocked with seasonal goods; and don't forget treats at the Bakery plus our very own Haunted Food Truck! New for 2021: TWO twisted, scary, creepy trails that will give you goosebumps In the dark of the night, from woods to historic homes, the Historic Village at Allaire takes on a twist for the Halloween season. Costumed ghouls, Glow In The Dark Bubble Witch Show, & Fire Juggler.

Ocean City Halloween Parade
Thursday, October 28, 2021, 7:15 PM - 8:20 PM
Asbury Ave. from 6th - 11th Street
Ocean City, NJ
609-399-1412
Website
This Ocean City nighttime tradition remains one of longest running Halloween parades in the tri-state area. The parade will march along Asbury Avenue from 6th to 11th Streets.

Annual Toms River Halloween Parade
October 30th, 2021; @ 7pm
Toms River Center
Main Street and Route 37,
Website 
Reported to be the 2nd the largest Parades of it's type in the world by Guiness Book of World Records! It's a parade with plenty of floats and decorative Halloween themed attractions. Arrive early. It is recommended you arrive about 2 hours prior to the start of the parade. This allows time to get settled and comfortable so the parade can begin on time. In the past, people have put chairs out even earlier. Parade starts at 7:00 pm, from the Toms River Center located at Main Street and Route 37, proceeding South on Main Street, then east on Washington Street and concludes at Hooper Avenue. Most trophies will be distributed at 101 Hooper Avenue, Ocean County Administration Building

1830s All Hallow's Eve Celebration
Saturday, October 30, 2021; 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 trophy and a gift bag.

North Wildwood Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Block Party
October 30, 2021; Vehicle check-in is at 4:30 p.m., event is 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Olde NJ Avenue
North Wildwood, NJ
Website
(609) 522-2955
The annual family fun event! features Music, Magic, Balloon Twisting and more! Families are encouraged to bring their vehicles decorated for Halloween. Children will come in costume and visit each car where families will provide treats from the trunks of their cars. There will be no judging of the children's costumes, but prizes will be awarded to the best decorated vehicles. Registration is free and forms are available at 900 Central Avenue in North Wildwood or at City Hall.

Seasonal Frequently Asked Question:

Question Looking for a place to do mountain climbing, kayaking, and hiking over a Fall weekend in New Jersey.

Answer: One of the top places to go mountain climbing, hiking and kayaking in NJ is the Delaware Water Gap area.
Mount Tammany on the Delaware River offers some spectacular views from the The Kittatinny Ridge (meaning “Endless Mountain” in the Lenape Native American language) comes to an abrupt, spectacular end at Mount Tammany. The 1,527-foot ridge plunges 1,200 feet into the Delaware Water Gap. This river gorge is a NJ natural treasure. The gorge serves as gateway to the Upper Delaware River Valley, a tapestry of folded mountains, tumbling waterfalls and forested bottom land supporting black bear, migrating golden eagles and spawning shad. A good hiking trail to take is from Dunnfield Creek parking area in Worthington State Forest. There are over 26 miles of trails within the park including 5 miles of canoe trails on the Delaware River and over 7 miles of the Appalachian Trail. All trails within the park are hiking only. Boat Launches (River Access Points) on The NJ side of the Delaware are:
Namanock Access (No fee) GPS 41.255441 -74.845498 & Poxono Access (No Fee) GPS 41.040349 -75.022222
Click here for more information on hiking in NJ

This Months Featured Restaurant

Battello
502 Washington Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ
Website
Battello is an extraordinary chef-inspired casual dining restaurant set on a Jersey City pier with an awesome view of the lower Manhattan skyline.
Read Review

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