A list of fun things to do this fall in the surrounding area
The leaves are starting to turn beautiful shades of yellow, orange and red, which means it’s fall in Monroe Township. With the changing of the season comes a litany of fall activities both in the township and the surrounding communities.
To kick off the fall season, Monroe Township residents can take part in a childhood cancer awareness walk on Sept. 30 at Owens Park. Check-in for the event is 9 a.m., and the walk begins at 10. Proceeds from the walk will be donated to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. LEAD THE WAY, a local group dedicated to helping families in need, is hosting the inaugural walk. Scott Whyte, the president of LEAD THE WAY, said there will be coffee, donuts and pizza provided in addition to water, music and a bounce house.
“We’re trying to make it a fun activity and raise money for a good cause,” Whyte said.
The walk is 1.25 miles in length and it is not a competition. To get involved, contact Whyte at (856) 466–1777.
Williamstown will host a fall festival followed by a Halloween parade on Oct. 20. At Owens Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., a fall festival is open to the community. There will be hayrides, pony rides, a canine demonstration, pumpkins, kids games and music. Food trucks will be present as well.
The parade starts at the CVS parking lot on the corner of Main Street and the Black Horse Pike. The Badger Club will run down Main Street followed by floats, string bands and the Williamstown High School marching band. The grand marshal is Harvey Conn, one of the oldest residents of Monroe Township. Mayor Dan Teefy will emcee the parade,
There are awards for floats and best group costumes at the parade. To register, visit www.mtprnj.org and print out the application for a float.
“It puts you in the mood for fall,” Director of Parks and Recreation Jim Bonder said. “This is a day we invite people out to have a good time, it’s all free. It doesn’t get any better than something like this for fall.”
In other towns:
Washington Township will host its inaugural Craft Beer and Tailgate Festival at Washington Lake Park on Sept. 30 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. At 1 p.m. the Eagles game will be streamed for patrons to enjoy.
If you plan on drinking, general admission is $7, beer and food is separate. For $10, patrons can receive a souvenir glass. Beer from five local breweries will be on tap: Tomfoolery Brewing Company, Brotherton Brewing Company, Forgotten Boardwalk Brewing Company, Hidden Sands Brewing Company and Bonesaw Brewing.
For those not drinking who want to enjoy the environment and Eagles game, admission is free.
Nine food trucks will be in attendance as well: Empanada Guy, Flying Pie Guy, House of Cupcakes, Dan’s Waffles, Moocheeze, Spanky’s BBQ, Star of the Sea, Tacoholics and Carolina Blue.
The Craft Beer and Tailgate Festival is for the whole family. Activities for children and craft vendors will be present.
Fast forward roughly three weeks and Washington Lake Park will play host to another event: Township of Washington Food Truck and Music Festival. Food trucks and bands will populate Washington Lake Park on Oct. 20 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
More than 20 food trucks will be in attendance, including: Baby Blues BBQ Philly, Beast of the Street, Buzzetta’s Festival Foods, The Cow and the Curd, Dan’s Waffles, El Lechon De Negron, Empanada Monster, The Flying Pie Guy, Glazed and Confused, Good Food = Good Mood, Grilled Cheez Factory, House of Cupcakes, Jersey Rollz, JimmyDawn’s, Kono Pizza on Wheels, Ma & Pa’s Tex-Mex BBQ, Mama’s Meatballs, Mannino’s Cannoli Express, The OreoFix, Philly Fry, Phyllodelphia, Star of the Seafood, Wahlburgers and Walking Taco Company.
Four bands will be playing throughout the day as well. Lauren Davidson Music will play from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Street Hassle and the Brass Balls will take the stage from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Right Turn at 40 will close it down from 4 to 7 p.m.
Admission to this event is $5 but kids under 10 are free. Tickets can be purchased at justjerseyfresh.com or at the event. For updates, visit the Facebook page “Twp of Washington Food Truck and Music Festival.”
On Oct. 22, the Olde Stone House Village will host Halloween Adventures from 6 to 9 p.m. For $2 patrons can partake in a trick-or-treat scavenger hunt, costume parade, a haunted history tour, have their fortune told and hear spooky stories by a campfire. There is a spookiest house contest as well. For registration, contact the Historic Commission at (856) 227–2311 or by email at [email protected]
Deptford Township will have its fall festival on Oct. 13 from 2 to 8 p.m. at Andalaro Farms. There will be free parking at the recreation center on Montague Lane and shuttle service will be provided to and from the festival starting at 1:30 p.m. Handicap parking will be available on Andalaro Way.
Deptford residents have access to a hayride, pumpkin, treat bag, juice and apple cider donut for free with identification. Non-residents can participate for $5.
Live music will be played by The Age of Ore from 2 to 3 p.m. and King Richard Band from 4 to 8 p.m.
This is a rain or shine event that will also include hayrides, food trucks, a beer and wine garden and more. For more information, check the “Deptford Township Fall Festival” Facebook page.
