10th Annual Scarecrow Contest
Wednesday, Oct. 17 to Tuesday, Oct. 23
Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., Cape May
Local families and groups have created their own scarecrows that are taking up residence beside dozens of others along “Scarecrow Alley” this Halloween season. The grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate have been transformed into a spectacle of scary and silly, all original, handmade specters. Visitors to the Physick Estate are encouraged to vote for their favorite scarecrow by filling out a ballot in the Carriage House through Oct. 31 as these groups and families compete for the prize! For more information, visit www.capemaymac.org.
New Jersey Audubon’s 72nd Annual Cape May Fall Festival
Thursday, Oct. 18 to Sunday, Oct. 21
Cape May Convention Hall, 714 Beach Ave., Cape May
New Jersey Audubon will host birders from far and wide for a weekend immersion into one of the best places in the world for birding – Cape May! NJA and its Cape May Bird Observatory are also taking over Convention Hall, where everyone is invited to visit a variety of vendors with a natural twist, and for the first time ever, Nature Nick’s Animal Adventures – the most diverse collection of travelling exotic animals in the world. For more information, visit www.njaudubon.org.
Wildwood RV Show
Friday, Oct. 19 to Sunday, Oct. 21 at 10 a.m.
Wildwoods Convention Center, 4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood
Come see the best-selling recreational vehicles from New Jersey’s biggest RV dealers! Whether you’re looking for a new camping adventure, want to upgrade to a new rig, or would simply like to explore the amazing world of recreational vehicles, this event is for you! Admission is $12 per day and a fee for parking will be charged. Friday and Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (856) 228-0090 or visit www.NJFallRVShow.com.
Harvest Festival at Wayside Village
Friday, Oct. 19 at 4 p.m.
Wayside Village, 48 Tuckahoe Rd., Marmora
From 4 to 8 p.m., enjoy fun for the whole family including food, drinks, giveaways and door prizes, bounce houses, face painting, pony rides, a magician, balloon making, tumbling, dancing, fire truck tours, trick-or-treating, Irish Dance performances and a Halloween Costume Contest! For more information, call (609) 390-1594.
Annual Lighthouse Challenge
Saturday, Oct. 20 and Sunday, Oct. 21
New Jersey
Challenge yourself to visit each participating lighthouse over the weekend as you tour the state to help raise funds for continued lighthouse preservation. Complete a souvenir deck of cards by visiting each site. The following lighthouses and museums are participating in Cape May County: Cape May Lighthouse and Delaware Bay Lights Virtual Tour (Lower Township); Tatham Life Saving Station 35 (Stone Harbor); and U.S. Life Saving Station 30 (Ocean City). Hours of operation for each lighthouse and a full list of participants can be found at www.lhchallengenj.org.
Lower Township Pumpkin Festival & Share the Harvest Food Drive
Saturday, Oct. 20 at 10 a.m.
Historic Cold Spring Village, 720 Rt. 9 S., Cape May
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., families can enjoy pumpkin painting and games. A variety of crafters will sell their wares along the Village’s shell-paved lanes. Vendors will be selling hot dogs, funnel cake and other snacks. Visit a haunted house at the Village Barn and hop on a fall hayride through the farm. Don’t miss the Children’s Halloween Parade at 11 a.m. Admission is free! Guests are encouraged to donate non-perishable goods to the ‘Share the Harvest’ Food Drive.
Good Eats Food Truck Festival
Saturday, Oct. 20 at 11 a.m.
Fox Park, Ocean Avenue between Montgomery & Burk, Wildwood
Enjoy world cuisine, music from DJ Slice, fun for the kids and more. 12 food trucks will line Fox Park along with retail and craft vendors to provide the ultimate culinary experience. The Good Drinks Bar will be serving beer, wine and other select beverages throughout the day. Kids will enjoy the 20-foot rock wall, air jumpers, bounce house, face painting and more. There will also be a cornhole tournament and a Battle of Good Eats, where the food trucks will provide their best dishes to win the title. The event is FREE to enter all day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.seasidecompaniesusa.com or email hungry@goodeatsfestival.com.
Octoberfest
Saturday, Oct. 20 at 11 a.m.
Excursion Park, JFK Boulevard & Pleasure Avenue, Sea Isle City
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Excursion Park transforms into a hotspot with live German music, face painting, games, food and craft vendors, moon bounces and more. Families are invited to take a free hayride along the beach. There will also be a pie-baking contest to determine who makes the best pie in Sea Isle City! The event will be held rain or shine. For more information, visit www.seaislechamber.com.
Diamond Beach Beer and Wine Festival
Saturday, Oct. 20 at 12 p.m.
ICONA Diamond Beach, 9701 Atlantic Ave., Wildwood Crest
From 12 to 4 p.m., guests will enjoy a myriad of activities including unlimited beer and wine samplings from 20+ local craft breweries and 6+ local wineries. There will also be educational sessions with select brewers that will expand on topics such as the brewing process and learning to pair beers and wines with different cuisine. Guests will also enjoy live music from Five Times Famous followed by DJ entertainment. A bevy of local food trucks, fire pits and games like life-sized Beer Pong, Jenga, Cornhole and Connect Four will round out the day’s entertainment. For tickets and more information, visit www.iconabeerfest.com.
Bonfire on the Beach
Saturday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m.
17th Avenue Beach, North Wildwood
Bring a blanket or a beach chair and enjoy a bonfire on the beach from 6 to 10 p.m.! Entertainment will be provided by a DJ. Refreshments and food will be available for purchase (no glass containers – plastic only). Admission is $10 for adults and $2 for children under 12. This event is sponsored by the Anglesea Irish Society and the Greater Wildwood Jaycees. Rain date is Saturday, Nov. 3.
CMC Beach Plum Association’s 8th Annual Oyster & Clam Roast
Sunday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m.
Cape May Winery, 711 Townbank Rd., Cape May
Celebrate the official fruit of Cape May County from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will feature fresh roasted oysters and clams along with pulled pork and fried chicken. There will also be a variety of beach plum desserts and wine. The evening will include live music featuring local artist, Michael Flanagan, as well as a Chinese Auction featuring artwork and items from local artists and businesses throughout Cape May and Atlantic counties. Proceeds will benefit the South Jersey Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, the Outdoor Experimental Experience at CMC Special Services School District and the CMC Beach Plum Association. Tickets are $50. For tickets and more information, visit www.cmcbeachplum.com.