Mornings and evenings are getting cooler and folks all around South Jersey are trading in iced coffees for pumpkin spice lattes, flip-flops for boots, T-shirts for hoodies and polo shirts for flannels. It’s officially fall, and Washington Township and Gloucester County have a plethora of events planned to celebrate the season.
The first of the township’s fall festivities is the second annual K-9 Benefit Car Show on Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Washington Lake Park. For those looking to enter a car, it is $20 the day of; there is no preregistration. More than 150 trophies will be awarded for various classes of cars – this is a professionally judged car show.
Proceeds from the event will go to the Washington Township Police Department K-9 Unit. The unit will put on a demonstration for all to enjoy as well.
“There’s no better way to enjoy the park than to have a free car show for friends of law enforcement and the community,” Police Chief Pat Gurcsik said.
For more information, visit the Washington Township Police Department’s Facebook page or contact Chuck Catalano, president of the South Jersey Pontiac Club, at (856) 904-9843.
The annual Food Truck and Music Festival is scheduled for Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Washington Lake Park. Admission is $5, children under 10 are free. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Attendees are invited to bring their own lawn chairs, pop-up tents and blankets.
The festival will feature a beer garden with the following beverages: Outside IPA from Flying Fish Brewing Company, Fat Tire Amber Ale from New Belgium Brewing, Purple Monkey Dishwasher and Chocolate Peanutbutter Porter from Evil Genius Beer Company, Oktoberfest from Sam Adams, Red and White Sangria from Señor Sangira and margaritas.
It wouldn’t be a food truck festival without a variety of options for attendees. The following trucks will be in attendance: Beast of the Street, Buzzetta’s Festival Foods, Chank’s Pizza Cones, chefjscatering, Chick Wings and Things LLC Food Truck Catering, Cousins Maine Lobster, The Cow and the Curd, Dan’s Waffles, Empanada Monster, The Flying Pie Guy, Hold My Knots, House of Cupcakes, Kona Ice of Cherry Hill, The Little Sicilian Catering and Food Truck, Maddalena’s Cheesecake and Catering, Mannin’s Cannoli Express, Old Original Nick’s Roast Beef, PaperMill – Home of the Spurrito, Philly Fry, Potato Patoto and the Walking Taco Company.
As if food and drinks while enjoying the great fall weather wasn’t enough, the following bands will perform at the festival: Fish Eyed Blues from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mad Man Moon from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and Jersey’s Own Hoi Polloi will close the festival from 4 to 7 p.m. For more information, visit the Facebook page “Twp of Washington Food Truck & Music Festival.”
Later on Oct. 19, at 9:30 p.m., the Washington Township Historic Preservation Commission is hosting an after-hours paranormal tour at the Olde Stone House Village. This event is limited to 20 people. Tickets are $20 and must be purchased in advance by emailing TownshipHistory1836@gmail.com. Groups will be divided and sent into each of the five buildings to receive an in-depth ghost tour from NJ Researchers of Paranormal Evidence. Nick Appice, chair of the historic preservation commission, said the event will sell out and recommends acting fast on purchasing tickets.
The annual Mothers Matter 5K run and walk is scheduled for Oct. 20 at 9 a.m. at Washington Lake Park. This event is open for folks of all ages. Runners and walkers can pre-register online at runsignup.com/mothersmatter for $25 or sign up day of for $30.
In other towns:
- Fall festival at the Red Bank Battlefield on Oct. 26 from noon to 4 p.m.
- An 18th century field day and annual Jonas Cattell Run at the Red Bank Battlefield on Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
