Here Are 3 Fall Family Festivals In Monmouth County

PORT MONMOUTH, NJ — From kayaking to sandcastle building, the Monmouth County Park System's Wind & Sea Festival this Saturday offers outdoor coastal activities the whole family can enjoy.

Held from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 19, the festival will be held at Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth. Visitors are invited to try fishing, crabbing, kite flying, seining, shell painting and more.

Festivalgoers can also see a sand sculptor at work, get their face painted and go on a Selfie Scavenger Hunt. The Wind Wolves Traveling Kite Show will be there as well as representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the New Jersey Kayaking Club and the local environmental group Save Coastal Wildlife. The historic Seabrook-Wilson House will be open for the event. Other offerings include a children’s craft, displays and food vendors.

Most activities are free but some may have a fee. Admission and parking are free. Parking is available at the Belford Ferry Terminal located at 10 Harbor Way, Belford. A shuttle bus will transport visitors to and from the ferry terminal to Bayshore Waterfront Park.

And as we plan for Halloween, upcyle your gently used kids’, adults’ and pet costumes for a spooktacular new-to-you ensemble during the Monmouth County Park System’s Eek-O-Fabulous Costume Swap. It’s fun, easy and best of all, free!

Drop off an old Halloween costume and receive a token entitling you to a “new” costume on the day of the swap. Costume drop-offs will be accepted from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. September 23-29. Please, no dirty, stained or torn costumes. Drop-offs are accepted at the Huber Woods Environmental Center, Middletown, or the Thompson Park Visitor Center, Lincroft.

“New” costumes can then be selected at the swap, which will be held from 2-3:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center in Aberdeen. Almost due or have a newborn? No token required for baby’s costume. Costumes are only available during the swap date and time. Unused tokens may be used at the next year’s swap.

For more information about the Eek-O-Fabulous Costume Swap, please call 732-872-2670.

Looking ahead, Thompson Park Day will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 18 at Thompson Park, 805 Newman Springs Road in Lincroft.

Thompson Park Day is the quintessential fall festival. Activities include kids’ races, rides, entertainment, archery, pumpkin painting, wagon rides and so much more. It includes some friendly competitions including the Scarecrow Contest, Spooktacular Jack O’Lantern Contest and Dog Parade & Costume Contest. Details for these contests are available online at www.MonmouthCountyParks.com. Some activities require a fee and/or registration. Admission and parking are free.