Festivals

Posted September 17, 2008

Halloween Show and Costume Contest
Bluegrass, country, folk, and traditional music by regional bands take the stage at Albert Music Hall on October 25 from 7:30 to 11:30 pm. There’s also an adult costume contest and prizes for children in costume. 131 Wells Mill Rd, Waretown (609-971-1593; alberthall.org).

17th Annual Pumpkin Festival
Craft show, music, games, food, and a Halloween parade at noon. October 18 from 10 am to 4:30 pm at Historic Cold Spring Village, 720 Rt 9 S, Cape May (609-898-2300; hcsv.org). 

Fall Family Foliage Float Festival
Check out the foliage on a canoe ride down Rancocas Creek on October 19. The day will include children’s theater, arts and crafts, and music. Held at Historic Smithville Park from 9 am to 4 pm. Smithville Rd, Eastampton (609-265-5068; co.burlington.nj.us). 

Garden State Sheep Breeders’ Sheep & Fiber Festival
Enjoy a day in the country watching sheep, weavers, shearing, and sheep herding on October 4 and 5 from 9 am to 5 pm. Children’s activities, food, music, and artisans will add to the fun. $10/car, $5/person or $15/two-day pass. Hunterdon County 4-H Fairgrounds, Rt 179 S, Ringoes (908-730-7189; njsheep.org).

Decorated Scarecrow Contest
Sponsored by the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce, area businesses and non-profits are invited to participate in the region’s first “Scarecrow Row” to display homemade scarecrows that best represent their businesses. Begins October 4 with judging on October 9. Ship Bottom. (609-494-7211; discoversouthernocean.com).

Haunted Hallo-Weekend
Trick-or-treating, pumpkin-carving contests, Halloween movies, a costume contest for kids, hayrides, a Saturday-night bonfire, and more on October 31 and November 1. Seaview Resort and Spa, Galloway (609-748-7663).

13th Annual Pinelands Discovery Festival
A day of environmental exhibits, presentations, guided tours, food, music, and children’s activities. October 5 from 11 am to 4 pm. Historic Whitesbog Village, Rt 530, Browns Mills (609-859-8860; pinelandsalliance.org).
 
Garden State Discovery Museum
Come to Monster Mash Bash, a costume party with trick-or-treating around the museum’s exhibits (reservations required) on October 25 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. On October 31, screenings of Not-So-Scary Creature Features, with Halloween cartoons and television episodes run 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. 2040 Springdale Rd, Cherry Hill (856-424-1233; discoverymuseum.com). 

Chowderfest
The annual bash in Beach Haven on October 5, offers unlimited chowder tasting, live music, children’s entertainment, and a food court. Admission, $20; kids 4-12, $10. Oct 5. Ninth Street and Taylor Avenue (chowderfest.com).

See also:

Hot-Air Ballooning

Haunted Happenings

Sites to See

Antiquing

Biking

Natural Wonders

Pumpkin Picking

Arts & Entertainment

Canoeing

Hiking