New Jersey Leisure Guide Monthly Newsletter
October 1, 2013

This is a great time of the year to take in many of the warmer weather activities and things to do as schools are back in session and the crowds at the Jersey shore destinations have dwindled. With the ocean water still warm in southern NJ, popular destinations like Cape May, Wildwood and Ocean City are excellent choices for a weekend getaway or late season vacation.

This Edition's Contents...

• Popular October Events and Things To Do
• Last Months Frequently Asked Question
• This Month's Featured Restaurant
  

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Popular October 2013 Events and Things To Do

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.

6th Annual Seafood & Music Festival
Saturday, October 5, 2013; 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Wildwood, NJ 800-992-9732
This family event features a full day of eating, dancing and all-out fun. The festival will include live music, delicious food vendors, messy pie eating contests, a clam chowder contest, craft vendors and much more. The festival will provide fun for the kids with a“Kids Korner,” open from noon- 4 p.m., featuring pumpkin painting, face painting, and inflatable bouncers.
Two stages of FREE live musical entertainment will feature Frank Bey and The Swing City Blues Band, The Who Knows Band (The Who Tribute Band), Green River (CCR Tribute Band) and the Rocktologists.
Admission is Free

Oktoberfest in Cape May
October 5, 2013; 10am- 5pm
The city blocks off Jackson Street between Carpenter's Lane and Beach Drive
Cape May, NJ 609.884.5508
This festival features a bustling block party filled with food, crafts, antiques and art. Dance the polka to Odessa Klezmer German American Band! Chow down on bratwurst. And lest we forget... there's beer. And lots of it! This year there will be 2 beer gardens selling German and domestic brews- one on either side of Jackson Street. collectibles.

Chowderfest Weekend
October 5, 6, 2013
Taylor Avenue Ball field, Beach Haven, NJ
LBI's biggest party of the year. It may be fall already but for many that attend ChowderFest, summer isn't over until this weekend. The biggest part of the party is the Chowder Cook Off Classic. It takes place from Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM. Your ticket allows you unlimited sampling and a vote for your favorite red and white chowder. The winners are announced and awards are presented at the end of the day from the main stage.

3rd Annual Atlantic City Boardwalk Rodeo
October 5 - 6, 2013
Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ Website
A weekend of family fun comes when the Atlantic City Boardwalk Rodeo — a PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association) sanctioned event — comes to town.! See cowboys and cowgirls attempt all sorts of challenges. Events will include bareback riding, tie-down roping, saddle bronc riding, team roping, barrel racing, wrestling and bull riding. Have fun cheering for your favorite participants as they hold on for their lives and put their horse skills to the test.

Cape May Victorian Weekend
October 11 - 15, 2013
Cape May, NJ, 609-884-5404. 800-275-4278
The 41st annual Victorian Weekend celebrates Cape May's Victorian heritage, featuring the Chocolate Championship Tour & Tasting, Historic House Tours, Murder Mystery Dinners, living history programs, lectures, workshops, performances and more.

The 10th annual South Jersey Pumpkin Show festival
October 11-13, 2013 from 10am to 6pm
Salem County Fairgrounds Woodstown, NJ Website
This three - day family fall festival will be fun filled with colorful displays of mums, carved and painted pumpkins, and over fifty handcrafted scarecrows. The Pumpkin Show festival will showcase local craftsmen, live entertainment, professional home and garden companies , wine sampling and food galore. Shop from rows and rows of craftsmen offering fall wreaths, baskets, quilts, pottery, jewelry, glassware, wood working and more. The event will feature on opening night the lighting of the giant pumpkin pyramid. Sit by the pyramid for storytelling and watch for the arrival of the headless horsemen to appear . There will be pumpkin pies, fudge, cookies, scarecrows, dolls, to pumpkin wreaths. The Pumpkin Dessert Baking Contest on Saturday will offer free sampling for festival goers. Little Miss & Mister Pumpkin Show Pageant , for girls and boys ages four to seven years old will be held on Sunday at 2:00pm. Activities at the festival include yearly favorites like the All Breed Costumed Dog Show, Friendly Boo Barn, free craft making, hayrides, Children's Amusement Rides and decorated baby strollers on parade. The South Jersey Pumpkin Show was picked by CBS of New York as one of the best fall festivals in New Jersey.

The 4th annual Sussex County Harvest, Honey and Garlic Festival
October 12th from 10am - 4pm
Sussex County Fairgrounds,
Augusta, NJ .Website
This Festival is a celebration of agritourism, ecotourism and arts & heritage tourism.
We will have works by nationally acclaimed wildlife artist Carol Decker on display. 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. For those who are into all things garlic, you'll have plenty to choose from with the Garden State Garlic Growers. The Festival will also include displays and information from environmental, agricultural and heritage organizations highlighting northern New Jersey's great open spaces and history. There will be activities geared for children and lots of vendors for the adults.

Annual Chatsworth Cranberry Festival
Saturday & Sunday,October 19-20, 2013, 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. The main attraction is the diverse showing of many artists & craftsmen, some of which will also be demonstrating their crafts as well as displaying them for sale.
Admission is FREE. Parking is available at the school. Signs will be posted and traffic will be directed.

Last Fling Pumpkin  & Football Sling
October 19 - 20, 2013
Millbrook Farm , Harmony Township, NJ, Website
A fierce competition with rivaling teams hoisting 2-3-pound pumpkins in hopes of being named grand champion? The Last Fling Pumpkin Sling is about youth and adult teams competing to see who can sling a large pumpkin through the air the furthest. This year, in celebration of the Super Bowl being held in New Jersey's Meadowlands, organizers are adding a twist to the competition. In addition to shooting pumpkins, we encourage teams to come up with a creative way of also shooting a football. When the competition ends, go on the October Vistas Bus Tour and explore the beautiful area of Harmony Township, viewing historical sites and farms. In the evening watch as the hot air balloons gather and take flight. As a bonus attraction this year, you will be able to see a special sand sculpture that will reflect innovation, diversity and liberty.

Stadium of Screams
October 25, 26 28, 31, November 1, 2, 2013 from 7 p.m. to midnight
Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium
Newark N.J 07102
Facebook Page 
The Newark Bears professional baseball team will welcome fans into a haunted ballpark this Halloween, as ghosts of Newark's past baseball players come back to terrorize those who attend. Visitors are given a unique opportunity to see more than what they would when they come for baseball games. The haunted house experience is exhilarating, but at the same time, it is unlike any other, as the three "haunts" take visitors through professional baseball clubhouses, luxury suites and more, giving a different atmosphere than at most haunted attractions. For those with younger children and the less brave, there are hay rides, carnival games, costume contests, music and more, keeping the whole family entertained

The 75th Toms River Halloween Parade
Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 7:00 PM.
Website 
Reported to be one of the largest Parades of it's type in the world, 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.

Larry The Cable Guy
Saturday, October 26, 2013 @ 9:00PM
Revel Ovation Hall
Atlantic City, NJ

Last Months Frequently Asked Question -- Questions from residents and visitors looking for information on New Jersey Leisure activities

Question: Can you recommend a great fall trip in Southern NJ during the month of October?

Answer: The Pinelands in Southern NJ is a great fall scenic trip. Begin your journey in Chatsworth (Rt 532 & Rt 563) a historic cranberry town. Plan your trip in October and take in Chatsworth Cranberry Festival This 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. Continue south down Rt 563 (Carranza Road) to Green Bank, passing by the cranberry bogs. In the fall they are bright red with floating berries. In Green Bank you can stop off and rent a canoe and do some flat water paddling & canoeing. Recommend a rental at Bell Haven Paddle Sports on Rt 542. Continue on Rt 542 (Nesco Road) to Batsto Village located in Wharton State Forest for an historic visit back to the iron and glass making era. Today, many of the buildings have been preserved and modern crafts people still ply their trades. Continue on to Rt 206 N to to Atsion Recreation Area (also in Wharton State Forest)that offers facilities for boating, camping, fishing and swimming.

New Jersey Restaurant Reviews - New Jersey has over 23,000 restaurants and finding about them is often times a time consuming task. Check out our comprehensive ratings and reviews gathered from diners, critics, and personal visits by New Jersey Leisure Guide.

This Month's Featured Restaurant

Alices Restaurant
On the lake in Lake Hopatcong,
Enjoy a fall scenic drive through the hills of northern NJ and top it off with either lunch or dinner on the lake surrounded by beautiful fall foliage
[ Read review ]

For other top New Jersey Attractions, Events
& Things to do:

Top Events in October - A schedule of the most popular events at the larger venues for concerts, theatre, entertainment, and festivals.

Top Things To Do in October - Our recommendations for the most popular seasonal outdoor and indoor activities, events, attractions, and points of interest for people of all ages.

Pumpkin Picking in NJ - A popular fall activity and a memorable experience for families with young kids? Discover the popular New Jersey farms with pick your own pumpkins in addition to other fall activities including a hay ride or a trip to the corn maze.

Halloween Events - Discover the Top Halloween Shows, Events, Attractions, and Parades, Halloween in New Jersey is a time for many scary, frightful shows, events, attractions, and parades that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Fall events and trips in New Jersey - With the turning of the foliage to bright colors being only second best to New England. Watching the leaves turn in NJ is one of the most romantic things you can do in the fall, even if only to for a day trip to check out the scenery.

Top 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. Here you can find where the the most popular 2013 Oktoberfests in New Jersey are being held.