Fall events starting in September

Leaves have yet to change color, but the cooler temperatures signify the summer is coming to a close and the fall season is ready to break through.

Most families are back from vacation, preparing children for the start of a new school year. But those hectic times of getting children adjusted to a schedule change call for a list of fall events for some “downtime.”

Woofstock

Woofstock festivities are back once again for the 17th annual event on Saturday, Sept. 21, at John Connolly Park. Last year’s event attracted between 3,500 and 4,000 people. Music, food, pet contests, demonstrations and more will make up the pet friendly, fun event. For more information, visit www.animalorphanage.org.

Italian festival

For the second year, the Italian Festa and Mall “Mercado” sale is coming to the Voorhees Town Center.

The Sons of Italy New Jersey Foundation, a national organization for men and women of Italian descent, will host the event and will be there to also host a Columbus Italian Cultural Festival.

Families can come out and enjoy Italian-themed food, entertainment, vendors and novelties, a bocce tournament and more.

Entertainment will be provided by Tony DeMatteo; Prima Mania, Reflections of Louis and Keely with Tom Pizzi and the Wilderness, featuring Patricia Durante; and Pope Paul VI High School and Camden Catholic High School bands. Pony rides, a puppet performance by Puppet Pizzaz and a magic show by Mr. Magic will be at the festival for children’s enjoyment. The event is on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and the “Mercado” sale will be inside the mall, adding to the overall Italian Festa. The rain date for the event is Sunday, Oct. 20. For more information, visit www.voorheestowncenter.com/calendar/event/16218#sthash.eCSylQtl.dpuf.

Farmers market

Jersey fresh produce and local products will continue to be sold every Saturday, rain or shine, at the Voorhees Town Center’s farmers market from 8 a.m. to noon.

Closing day of the farmers market is Oct. 5.

For more information and a list of local vendors, visit www.voorheestowncenter.com, visit Voorhees Town Center’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoorheesTownCenter, or Twitter at @voorheestowncenter.

Thriller night

Are you looking for a “thrill” of a night before Halloween? Voorhees Town Center is hosting “Thriller Night” on Friday, Oct. 25, from 6 to 9 p.m. A seven-foot strolling Frankenstein, a 12-foot skeleton and a unicycling zombie will stroll around the area as the following scheduled events take place: “Spirit Hours” are from 6 to 9 p.m. Attendees can enjoy specials at bars in Rodizio Grill, Catelli Duo and Iron Hill.

A featured film, “Young Frankenstein,” is playing on a 20-foot outdoor movie screen from 6:30 to 8:10 p.m.

At 8:15 p.m. dancers will reenact Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” performing in front of the movie screen with the video playing in the background. A second screening of the music video will be at 8:40 p.m. and the audience can join in on the fun and dance like a zombie with the “Thriller” dancers.

A “Move like Michael” 60-second dance contest will also be held in front of Rodizio Grill, and a “Thriller Costume Contest” gives the kids a chance to dress like their favorite zombie, wolf, Michael Jackson or other Halloween character.

For more information, visit www.voorheestowncenter.com.

More Halloween events

Voorhees Township Committee is hosting the eighth annual Halloween in the Park on Sunday, Oct. 27, from 1 to 4 p.m. at John Connolly Park, rain or shine.

The family fun activity will include face painters, a costume parade, Halloween-themed magic show, a balloon artist, hayride in the park and pumpkin picking in the Voorhees Business Association’s “pumpkin patch.”

Children will also get traditional Halloween candy and other treats, as well as a chance to decorate a pumpkin.

According to special events director Mike Marchitto, the information on the event has yet to be posted online. Admission is free.

Acme-sponsored Halloween Spooktacular will be held at the Voorhees Town Center on Oct. 31 at 4 p.m.

Children 12 and under are encouraged to wear costumes to the mall as they walk to trick-or-treat stations on the lower level. Children will also receive a goody bag after they complete a picture scavenger hunt.

For more information, visit www.voorheestowncenter.com.

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