So long summer heat
🍂 It Finally Feels Like Fall!
After an early autumn that felt more like summer, the temperature is finally hitting the 60s in the tri-state area. These fall festivals (and a few early Halloween events) will inspire you to slip on a long-sleeve shirt and get out into the crisp fall weather for some apple cider donuts.
As always, you can find even more things to do on The Central Jerseyan website. See the full events calendar ➝
But first…
About that race for governor…
Candidate Mikie Sherrill speaks at a New Jersey gubernatorial debate at Rider University as opponent Jack Ciattarelli listens on stage. (New Jersey Globe via YouTube)
A new poll shows Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli deadlocked in the race for governor. At a progressive forum in Westfield, organizers expressed fear and frustration over the state of the race. Some blamed the Sherrill campaign, while others said they’re worried about voter apathy.
Here’s what’s happening this weekend
Over the Moon for Autumn
UK artist Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon exhibit at UPAC (The Central Jerseyan)
🌙 Festival of the Moon
Museum of the Moon by UK artist Luke Jerram arrives this weekend in Rahway. The city is celebrating with three weeks of festivities, including art, music, theater, and free public viewing hours at the Union County Performing Arts Center.
🍎 Hunterdon Harvest Fest
Sat, Oct 4 • 11 AM–6 PM at Deer Path Park, Flemington
Celebrate fall with local food, live music, crafts, and family activities. Free admission.
🔗 Details
🍝 Mercer County Italian American Festival
Friday–Sunday, Oct 4–6 • Mercer County Park, West Windsor
Enjoy three days of Italian culture with authentic food, wine, rides, live entertainment, and artisan vendors. A family-friendly tradition that’s been drawing crowds for over two decades.
🎨 4-H Medieval Jubilee
Saturday, Oct 4 • 10 AM–5 PM • Ted Blum 4-H Center, Somerset County
Medieval costumes, jousting-style demos, crafts, and kid-friendly activities. Tickets (~$15) with early arrival perks.
🎭 Lord Stirling 1770s Festival
Sunday, Oct 5 • 11:30 AM–4 PM • Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge
Step back to the fall of 1770 with historic reenactments, living history exhibits, and period costumes at Somerset County’s estate. Suggested donation ~ $5 per person.
🧟 Asbury Park Zombie Walk
Saturday, Oct 4 • All day on the Asbury Park Boardwalk
Thousands of zombies shuffle through the streets for one of the largest undead gatherings in the world. Free and spooky fun.
🔗 Details
Further down the road
Celebrate Central Jersey’s History
(Courtesy: event website)
🏛️ Journey Through the Past
Saturday–Sunday, Oct 11–12 • Multiple sites across Somerset County
Experience the vast history of Somerset County through different experiences and activities at historic homes, museums, and landmarks for free during this county-wide heritage tour. Learn what life was like 50, 100, or even 200 years ago.
🌱 Native Plants You Can Eat!
Tuesday, Oct 7 • 6–7:30 PM at the EARTH Center, South Brunswick
Learn how to grow and cook with New Jersey’s edible native plants. Free workshop.
🔗 Details
🎨 Metuchen Mignolo Artweek
October 6–12 • Mignolo Art Center, 272 Lake Ave, Metuchen
A week of performances, exhibits, and interactive art experiences from local and international artists.
🎭 Woodbridge Barronfest
Saturday, Oct 11 • 12–4 PM at Parker Press Park, Woodbridge
Juried fine arts and crafts show with live music and food vendors. Free admission.
🎸 New Jersey Guitar Quartet Concert
Friday, Oct 10 • 7 PM at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church in South Amboy
Four guitarists blend classical, jazz, and Latin sounds. Free performance.
Save the Date
🍁More Free & Family Friendly Fall Festivals
Dunellen HarvestFest
Sunday, Oct 12 • 11 AM–4 PM at Washington Park
The 12th annual fair brings crafters, artists, food, live music, kids’ activities, and contests like pumpkin decorating and apple pie baking. A fall favorite featured as one of NJ’s top festivals.
Long Branch Fall Festival and Pooch Parade
Saturday, Oct 18 • 12–4 PM at Pier Village
Enjoy live music, pumpkin carving, kids’ activities, seasonal treats, and trick-or-treating at shops and vendor tables. Don’t miss the Pooch Parade costume contest, pet-friendly fun, and prizes benefiting Pick Your Paw Rescue.
Freehold Halloween Farmers Market
Sunday, Oct 18 • 12–4 PM at Calgo Gardens
Browse 50+ vendors with spooky baked goods, crafts, candles, gourmet food, and local beer & wine. Enjoy live music, kids’ entertainment, tarot readings, and more — costumes encouraged for a day of autumn magic and Halloween fun!
Piscataway Fall Harvest Festival
Weekends • Oct 24 – Nov 2 • 10 AM–5 PM at East Jersey Old Town Village
A free, family-friendly day with pumpkin picking, wagon rides, kids’ crafts, live music, and seasonal treats like pies and cider donuts. Don’t miss the fall photo bench by the Tavern!
Holmdel Fall Family Festival
Saturday, Nov 1 • 12–3 PM at Seaview Orthopaedics
Enjoy live music by No Standards, food trucks, kids’ activities (face painting, crafts, inflatables, petting zoo), local vendors, and raffles supporting the Monmouth County SPCA. Free admission.
One Last Thing
Keeping An Eye On Town Councils
A key mission for The Central Jerseyan is to shine a light on local government. If democracy is local, then it starts at City Hall. To that effort, you’ll start to see rundowns of local government meetings pop up on TCJ’s News section. There, you can get to see what your neighbors are advocating for and where your tax dollars are being spent.
That’s it for this week.
As always, you can see even more events on The Central Jerseyan website. See the full events calendar ➝
Have an event you’d like included in this newsletter or a tip for a local news story? You can simply reply to this newsletter or contact me here ➝
Have a great weekend!