Lord Stirling 1770s Festival
October 4
Festival-goers step back in time to experience daily colonial life. Witness a Revolutionary War reenactment, watch craftspeople ply their trades, tour the grounds and visit the 1762 wine cellar of Lord Stirling, a hero of the American Revolution.
10:30 AM-4:30 PM. $5 suggested donation. Environmental Education Center, 190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge (908-766-2489)
12th Annual South Jersey Pumpkin Show
October 9-11
This three-day festival dedicated to everyone’s favorite fall fruit promises fun for the whole family. Weekend events include a pumpkin weigh-off, pumpkin toss, Little Miss & Mister pageant, costumed dog parade and two performances of the tale of the Headless Horseman.
Fri, 5-9 PM; Sat, 10 AM-7 PM; Sun, 10 AM-5 PM. Free admission; parking $5. Salem County Fairgrounds, 735 Harding Highway (Route 40), Woodstown (856-765-0118)
West Cape May Lima Bean Festival
October 10
The oft-overlooked legume steps into the spotlight at this annual benefit for the West Cape May Shade Tree Commission. Visitors enjoy a smorgasbord of recipes, products and crafts.
9 AM-5 PM (Rain date: October 11). Free. Wilbraham Park, Myrtle Avenue and West Perry Street, West Cape May
Sussex County Harvest, Honey & Garlic Festival
October 10
The sixth-annual festival celebrates local farms and agriculture-based operations. Join the the County of Sussex, the Sussex County Beekeepers and the Garden State Garlic Growers at the fairgrounds for plenty of farmers’-market fun and Jersey Fresh products, including fruit, vegetables, flowers and wine.
10 AM-4 PM. Free. Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta (1-800-473-0363)
18th Annual Screamin’ Country Jamboree
October 10-11
Keyport kicks it country style for this 18th-annual festival. There will be plenty of finger-lickin’ good food plus a beer garden. The weekend includes a chili tasting and competition, square dance demos, vendors and seven musical performances.
Sat, 11 AM-8 PM; Sun, 11 AM-6 PM. Free. Keyport Waterfront Park, Keyport
Mum Madness & Pumpkin Parade
October 10-11
The Camden Children’s Garden celebrates autumn with mascot Mum Bear. Visitors can paint pumpkins and make fall crafts amid the beautiful landscape of colorful chrysanthemums.
1-4 PM. Free with garden admission. Camden Children’s Garden, 3 Riverside Drive, Camden (856-365-8733)
Indian Summer Weekend
October 10-12
An Ocean City celebration with hundreds of craft and food vendors, plus plenty of music and activities for the family, and a slew of seafood at the Music Pier.
All day. Free. Ocean City (800-BEACH-NJ)
Brite Nites at Wagner Farm Arboretum
October 16-18 & 23-25
Brite Nites is back for two weekends this season with sights—and frights—for all. Meander through the intricately carved pumpkins and watch as a story unfolds. After the pumpkin path, enter the farm’s haunted hollows—if you dare.
Entry times every 15 minutes from 6:45-8 PM. Adults, $12; children under 15, $9. Wagner Farm Arboretum, 197 Mountain Ave, Warren Township