New Jersey Leisure Guide Monthly Newsletter
October, 2019

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

Note: This information is provided by event sponsors as a free service to our viewers. 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

Popular October 2019 Events and Things To Do

Annual Uncorked & Uncapped: Wine, Beer, and Food Fest
Thursday, October 3, 2019; 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
The Wilshire Grand Hotel
350 Pleasant Valley Way
West Orange, NJ 07052
Web Site & Tickets
Contact: 973-535-1181, Email: [email protected]
Event Cost: $100
This fundraiser features a wide selection of fine wines, craft beers, spirit tastings, restaurant samplings, an awards program, and a silent auction. There will be 25+ craft beers, & ciders, 45+ Wines, and 15+ Sprits & cocktails with 50+ food samplings.
All proceeds will benefit The Arc’s programs and services that support individuals with Down syndrome, Autism, and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. The Arc of Essex County is the largest service provider to individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in Essex County, New Jersey.

Annual Fall Forestry Festival
Saturday, October 5, 2019: 10am - 3pm
The Forest Resource Education Center
495 Don Connor Blvd
Jackson, NJ
(732) 928-2360
Website
Free parking, and admission! There is no reservation or fee for programs or activities
This annual Fall family friendly event features over 40 nature themed exhibits, hikes, programs, and activities. Explore the pinelands forest and discover unique plants and creatures on interpreter led hikes. Get crafty and paint a pumpkin or make a wooden Smokey helicopter. Use your detective skills to find the cause of a wildfire. See foresters turn logs into lumber on sawmill and basket makers, chainsaw carvers, and traditional wood carvers demonstrate artistic uses for wood. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring insect repellant. Refreshments and forest products such as NJ pure Maple Syrup will be available to purchase.

LBI's Annual Chowderfest
Saturday, October 5, Sunday, October 6, 2019
Taylor Avenue ball field, Ninth Street and Taylor Avenue
(across from Schooner's Wharf and Bay Village)
Beach Haven, NJ
Website/Tickets
Chowderfest Weekend has become a tradition for family and friends to gather together to say good bye to summer and welcome the fall. Always the weekend before Columbus Day Weekend.
Join in on Saturday for the fabulous Merchant Mart (free admission) where local vendors offer the best deals of the season, and Sunday for the Chowder Cook Off Classic (a ticketed event).
Chowderfest Weekend goes on rain or shine.

Annual Seafood & Music Festival
Saturday, October 5, 2019; 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Atlantic Avenue
between Wildwood and Schellenger Avenues
Wildwood, NJ
609-729-4000 
 Website
Free Admission
The festival will feature 2 stages of live music plus crafters, food vendors, games, a pie eating contest and much more! A “Kids Korner” with activities including pumpkin painting, crab hat making and inflatable bounce house.

Annual Cranberry Fest
October 5, 6, 2019; 11am -5pm
Downtown Bordentown, Farnsworth Ave.
Bordentown, NJ
609-414-0828
Website
This family event features live music,over 145 crafters, food from local eateries, a kids corner, and an antiques & vintage row

Ocean County Columbus Day Parade & Italian Street Festival
October 9, 10, 11, 2015 ( Festival hours: Friday, 4:00pm to 10:00pm, Saturday, 10:00am to 10:00pm, & Sunday, 10:00am to 8:00pm)
Grant Avenue from Bay Blvd. to Boardwalk
Seaside Heights, N.J
Website
Celebrating the Annual Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Festival. A fun filled weekend of food, friends, and Italian Culture.
This years' special attraction is "Scialapopolo di Capri" from Napoli, Campania
The Parade will be held on Sunday at 1 pm, on the Boulevard from J Street to Sampson Avenue.

Annual Deerfield Township Harvest Festival
October 10, 11, 12, 13, 2019; 12:00 PM until 10:00 PM
Rosenhayn Fire and Rescue and Frank LoBiondo, Sr. Park
GPS: 678 Morton Avenue
Bridgeton, NJ
Website & Entertainment Schedule
This event pays tribute to local farmers and salutes Country Stars & Stripes. The festival's outstanding entertainment lineup features local and regional entertainers coupled with established and rising national performers. It also includes a parade, arts & crafts show, mascot mania, amusement rides and games, a Songfest competition, dessert baking challenge, multi-cultural food court and fireworks on Sunday @ 9:30pm. Bring your own chairs.

Annual Pine Barrens Jamboree at Wells Mills Park
October 12th, 2019; 10am - 4:30pm (rain or shine)
Wells Mills County Park
905 Wells Mills Rd, Rt. 532
Waretown, NJ
Website
Parking and admission FREE
This annual event features a fun filled day of music of the pines, cultural demonstrations, traditional crafts, nature and history programs. Attendees will sit under the big tent and enjoy a fun filled day of county, bluegrass and traditional music presented by the musicians from Albert Music Hall.

Central Jersey Beer & Wine Fest
October 12, 2019; 12PM – 6PM (Rain or shine)
Mercer County Park Festival Grounds
1638 Old Trenton Rd
West Windsor, NJ
Website
Cost: $10 – $45
Sample over 175 beers and wines for 4 hours (1:00 -5:00). Listen to Live Music, Meet Brewers, Enjoy Food Vendors from 1 til 6pm.

South Jersey Pumpkin Show
October 12, 13, 2019; Saturday 10am to 8pm and Sunday, 10am to 6pm.
Salem County Fairgrounds
735 Harding Highway
Woodstown, NJ 08098
Web Site
Contact: Kathryn Wright, Phone: 856-765-0118, Email: [email protected]
This festival features three- days of family fun with contests, artists, craftsmen, home products, a pumpkin pyramid, entertainment, food, wine, amusement rides, a Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off, headless horsemen, scarecrows, Little Miss & Mister Pageant, dog parade, Boo Barn and more.
Contact: Kathryn Wright, Phone: 856-765-0118, Email: [email protected]
The South Jersey Pumpkin Show has become one of the best ways to welcome the autumn harvest with kids and parents alike.Festival goers visiting will enjoy pumpkin desserts, 100+ craftsmen, Salem County Fall Home Show, fun contests, give-a-ways, wine sampling, giant food court, NJ Largest Baked Pumpkin Pie, pony rides and hayrides around the fairgrounds. The festival will host a variety of live musical acts daily.

10th Annual Sussex County Harvest Honey and Garlic Festival
October 12, 2019; 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 County of Sussex, the Sussex County Beekeepers Association and the Garden State Garlic Growers are joining with the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show to showcase New Jersey's great northwest. There will be a farmers market where you can buy fresh, local Sussex County and Jersey Fresh products including fruit, vegetables, flowers and wine. The Sussex County Beekeepers Association will have educational displays and materials along with an array of honey products

Hoboken Harvest Festival
Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019; 11am-3pm
Pier A Park
1st St. & Sinatra Dr.
Hoboken, NJ
Website
Hay rides, a hay maze, pony rides, petting zoo, trackless train, inflatables, moonwalk, face painting, spin art, sand art, pumpkin painting, balloon art, craft activities, soccer, dance & gymnastic demos, live music & dance and much more. 

Lord Stirling Fall Festival
Saturday, October 19, 2019; (Rain date October 26th)
Lord Stirling Stable
256 South Maple Avenue,
Basking Ridge, NJ
908-766-2489
Website
Cost: Admission and parking are free. Activity tickets are available in bundles of 12 for $10.00
They will be offering pony rides, Halloween themed games and activities, fall themed food, and fun, event filled hayrides on our trails! Costumes are accepted and encouraged!

Annual Chatsworth Cranberry Festival
October 19, 20, 2019; 9am to 4pm
Downtown, Chatsworth NJ
Website
The Cranberry Festival is a celebration of New Jersey's cranberry harvest, the 3rd largest in the United States, and offers a tribute to the Pine Barrens & Local Culture. This family event features live entertainment many artists & craftsmen demonstrating their crafts and offering them for sales.
Admission is FREE. Parking is available at the school. Signs will be posted and traffic will be directed.

Beachwood Harvest Bonfire
October 26, 2019; 6pm-9pm
Beachwood Beach
Beachwood, NJ
Website
This family event features food, music, games and all kinds of fun. Come relax by the fire and enjoy a great night on the beautiful beach.

Seasonal Frequently Asked Question:

Question: Fall Weekend Getaway for a Family. We are a family with young kids and are planning a weekend October overnight trip somewhere in NJ to experience the best of fall. What can you suggest?

Answer: In New Jersey, fall colors tend to peak around Columbus Day Weekend and with the weather still pleasant, this is the best time to get out and enjoy the fall. To experience fall with all it's beautiful colors, rolling hills and mountains, I would suggest an overnight trip to either Hunterdon County, Warren County or Sussex County. Always popular with kids is pumpkin picking. Halloween events (some not so scary) are also very popular. For more active families with kids who enjoy getting out in the woods, there are a number of easy hiking trails in each of the three counties,
For information on Fall events visit Fall Activities and Events

New Jersey Restaurant Reviews - New Jersey has over 23,000 restaurants and finding about them is often times a time consuming task. Find a restaurant in a town of your choice with comprehensive restaurant reviews.

This Month's Featured Restaurant:
Panini Bay
Tuckerton, NJ
Website
Located on the Tuckerton Inlet, Panini Bay Restaurant is popular with diners who come to enjoy awesome waterfront, sunset views with a creative Italian menu using fresh, locally sourced seafood and produce. One of the best restaurants in the Tuckerton, NJ area.
Read 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.

October 2019 Events - This months events includes concerts, theatre, festivals, sports, and entertainment, that have appeal to people of all ages and interests.

Best Halloween Events - 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. We have put on our costumes and headed into the dark of night with a full moon to search haunted houses, cemeteries, and pumpkin patches for ghosts, goblins, and skeletons to come up with the best Halloween events for families with kids

Best Oktoberfest Events - With increased worldwide popularity, New Jersey Oktoberfests have become a popular fall event and with Oktoberfest celebrations found throughout the state just a short driving distance of their home. Oktoberferst events can begin as early 16 days before the first Sunday in October.

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.