Fall Festivals, Fireworks And More: Ocean County Weekend Events

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — From Italian food and live entertainment to fall festivals, fireworks and a spooky trail, Ocean County has plenty planned for the weekend of Oct. 9-11.

Here are some events happening around the county.

Ocean County Italian Street Festival

Friday, Oct. 9, 4-10 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

The Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee will host its annual Italian Street Festival on Grant Avenue in Seaside Heights.

Presented by the New Jersey Lottery, the three-day event is part of the Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival celebration.

Nightmare at Gille Park

Friday, Oct. 9 and Saturday, Oct. 10

Lacey Township's Gille Park will turn spooky for Nightmare at Gille Park, with trail tours scheduled Friday and Saturday. The rain date is Sunday, Oct. 11.

A sensory-friendly tour is available for $5, beginning at 5:30 p.m., with the last tour going through at 6:15 p.m.

Advance tickets are $16, with tours beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the last tour going through at 9:30 p.m. Tickets purchased at the door are $20. Limited VIP tickets are available for $50 and include admission, a T-shirt and priority entrance.

Tickets can be purchased online through the Lacey Township parks and recreation registration system under the Events tab; an account is required. Tickets are also available at the Lacey Recreation Office.

32nd Annual Pine Barrens Jamboree

Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

The 32nd Annual Pine Barrens Jamboree will bring a day of activities to Wells Mills County Park in Waretown.

The event is free and runs from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Stafford Fall Harvest & Wine Festival

Saturday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 11, noon-5 p.m.

Heritage Park in Manahawkin will host the Stafford Fall Harvest & Wine Festival, featuring New Jersey wines, live entertainment, food and artisan shopping.

Guests can bring lawn chairs, blankets and pop-up tents to create a spot to relax during the festival. Participating wineries are scheduled to include Angelico Winery, Chestnut Run Farm, DiMatteo Vineyards, Plagido's Winery, Terra Nonno Winery, Valenzano Winery, Villari Vineyards and Wagonhouse Winery. Vendors, food trucks and wineries are subject to change.

Advance sampler tickets for guests 21 and older are $20. Sampler tickets are $25 cash at the gate. Non-samplers and guests under 21 are free.

Fall Fireworks Festival

Saturday, Oct. 10, 4-8 p.m.

Riverfront Park in Point Pleasant will host the Fall Fireworks Festival, featuring live music, children's amusements, food vendors and a beer garden.

The event is presented by the borough, with Mayor Sabosik, the Borough Council and the Chamber of Commerce joining in the festivities. Fireworks are planned as part of the evening.

The rain date is Sunday, Oct. 11, from 4-8 p.m.