The Pinelands are a prime place to be in the fall. From the foliage in the numerous forests, to the pumpkin and apple festivals, down to the street fairs, you can cross many things off of your fall bucket lis in one of New Jersey’s treasured destinations.
Why not carry a short list with you on what to do?
Submerge yourself in all things fall with large-scale festivals
On Sept. 21, Medford’s Freedom Park will be filled with music, food and activities as the annual Oktoberfest takes place from 11 a.m. until dusk. The event is free and open to everyone with the exception of the beer tent (valid government ID needed for entry). Attendees will be able to enjoy traditional German food and music, participate in a Bavarian Steinholding Contest, listen to local musicians, purchase goods from local vendors and more. To learn more, visit www.MedfordOktoberfest.com.
The Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross in Medford is hosting an International Food and Fall Festival on Sept. 21, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Food of the congregation’s heritages, family-friendly activities and vendors will be present at the event. All are welcome. Visit www.HolyCrossMedford.org for more information.
Taste wines from wineries throughout the state and chow down on good bites at Shamong’s own Valenzano Winery (1090 Route 206) 2019 Wine Fest on Sept. 21 and 22, from noon to 5 p.m., both days, rain or shine. Children 14 and under get in for free. Ticket prices vary from $15 to $25. Visit www.WineFestNJ.com for more information.
Russo’s Fruit and Vegetable Farm in Tabernacle (299 Flyatt Road) is hosting a fall fest on Sept. 28 and 29, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., both days. The fest will include pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, food, a corn maze and more! Visit www.RussosFruitandVeg.com. Pumpkins and apples can be picked, afterward, until the end of October for 49 cents per pound of pumpkins and $1.39 per pound of apples. Wagon rides are $3.50 per person over the age of 2.
Katz JCC is hosting a fall festival on Oct. 6 at the JCC Camps at Medford (400 Tuckerton Road) from 12:30 to 4 p.m. The event is open to the entire community and includes hayrides, a climbing boulder and a zip line, pumpkin painting, music and more. Food will be available for purchase. Parking is $20 per vehicle and a donation of a gently-used children’s book is requested for Booksmiles. For more information, contact Sara Sideman at SSideman@JFedSNJ.org.
The Tabernacle Boy and Cub Scouts are hosting a free community fall festival at Seneca High School on Oct. 27, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. that includes a car show, food trucks, sand art, a rock climbing wall and more. Visit www.Facebook.com/TabernacleFallFestival for more information.
Pick that perfect pumpkin, or apple
At Johnson’s Corner Farm (133 Church Road, Medford), the apple picking hayride runs until Oct. 12, the pumpkin variety runs until Oct. 31. The activities are $5 per person, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the hour; and Saturday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. continuously. For more information, visit www.JohnsonsFarm.com.
Indian Acres Tree Farm has pumpkin picking from Oct. 1 to 30, Monday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m., and the weekend from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for $4 per person over the age of 2. Visit www.IndianAcresTreeFarm.com for more information.
V & V Adventure Farm (1339 Old Indian Mills Road, Shamong) has pumpkin-picking hayrides for $10 per person over the age of 1, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays until Oct. 27. Visit www.vvadventurefarm.com. The farm’s Night of Horror occurs on Fridays and Saturdays until Oct. 27, from 7 p.m. to close. Parental discretion is advised for some of the horror activities.
Animal lovers unite in the leaves
Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in Medford (4 Sawmill Road) is hosting Autumn with the Animals on Sept. 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the whole family. The day includes wildlife programs, music, nature hikes, games and more.
The refuge is also hosting its fifth annual Hoot, Waddle and Stroll 5k Trail Run on Sept. 28, at the refuge, beginning at 9 a.m. Proceeds from the event benefit Cedar Run and the animals it cares for. For more information for both events, visit www.CedarRun.org.
Getting into the spooky spirit
One of Medford’s favorite fall traditions returns to Main Street for another exciting year as the women’s club is accepting entries to the Scarecrow Contest on Oct. 5. Anyone of any age, organization or business is welcome to enter.
“We assign people a pole and they set up everything to decorate their scarecrows, and the mayor and representatives from the Women’s Club will pick the winners,” said Alberta Wolf of the Medford Women’s Club.
No scary, political or offensive scarecrows may be entered in. The club holds a right to disqualify figures that violate the rules. For more information, visit www.MedfordWomansClub.com.
The scarecrows are on display until the conclusion of the 72nd Halloween Parade, which occurs on Oct. 26 beginning at 7 p.m., where various businesses, schools and organizations will have floats rolling down Main Street along with attendees in costumes. Visit www.MedfordHalloweenParade.com for more information.
Satisfy a sweet tooth and get treats without the scare at the Fellowship Alliance Chapel’s (199 Church Road, Medford) Trunked Treats and Tailgate on Oct. 20 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Admission is free and the event will include food trucks, a movie screen and more! Contact Justin Wright at JustinW@MyFAC.org to host a trunk.
Editor’s note: If you know of an event occurring in Medford, Shamong or Tabernacle that you’d like to include, submit it to TheSunpapers.com/Contact-Us along with the event’s name, location, time, cost, age range and a short description.
