All The October Events In Monmouth County Parks

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Fall into fun this October in Monmouth County. Here are all the events the Monmouth County Parks System has planned; nearly all are free to attend.

NASA's International Observe the Moon Night

Friday, October 3 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

Join us for an early celebration of the International Observe the Moon Night (IOMN) as lunar observers from around the world celebrate the moon. The moon will be close to first quarter phase and almost 88 percent illuminated. Please dress for the weather (layers). If you have binoculars, please bring them; a limited number will be available to borrow. Open to ages 11 and up, under 18 with adult. FREE!

Milling Demonstrations

Saturdays & Sundays, October 4 & 5, 11 & 12, 18 & 19 and 25 & 26 at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

See the 19th century gristmill grind corn into meal. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. FREE!

Open Shoot Archery

Saturday, October 11 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft

All equipment is provided for this open shoot. No outside equipment permitted. This is not an instructional clinic and NOT designed for beginners. If you are new to archery, register for one of our instructional classes prior to attending. Open to ages 10 and up; under 18 with adult. The cost is $10 per person; cash or check only.

Accordion Melodies of the 1890s

Saturday, October 11 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Hear melodies of the 1890s played on the accordion during your visit. FREE!

Cookstove Demonstrations

Saturdays, October 11 & 25 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See what's cooking on the woodstove and discover how recipes, cooking techniques and kitchens have changed since the 1890s. FREE!

Casual Birder

Tuesday, October 14 at 9 a.m.

Tatum Park, Middletown - Meet in the Holland Road parking lot.

Join a Park System Naturalist for this laid-back morning bird walk and meander through the park for about an hour and a half to see what birds we can find. No need to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow if needed. FREE!

Awesome Autumn Amble (two dates)

Wednesday, October 15 from 10-11:30 a.m.

Huber Woods Park, Middletown - Meet in the Environmental Center parking lot.

Wednesday, October 29 from 10-11:30 a.m.

Big Brook Park, Marlboro - Meet in the lower pond parking lot.

Explore the trails with a Park System Naturalist and discuss all manners of plant and animal phenomena. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. FREE!

19th Century Woodworking Demonstration

Saturday, October 18 from 12-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See how a woodworker studies his materials, plies his tools, and crafts beautiful and functional items. FREE!

Piano Ballads from the Turn-of-the-Century

Saturday, October 18 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Hear popular turn-of-the-19th-century ballads played in the farmhouse. FREE!

Thompson Park Day

Sunday, October 19 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Thompson Park, Lincroft

Celebrate the season with this family fun event that includes pumpkin painting, wagon rides, kids races, entertainment and so more! Some activities have a fee. Admission and parking are free.

Climb Time

Friday, October 24 from 3-6 p.m.

Shark River Park, Wall

Try the Park System's 25’ portable climbing wall. You must be 42” or taller to climb. Open to ages 8 and up; under 18 with adult. FREE!

Trick-or-Treat at Walnford

Sunday, October 26 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Walk from building to building where staff will provide facts about the site as well as a treat to fill your basket. FREE!

Nature Lecture Series - The Real Story of the Jersey Devil

Wednesday, October 29 from 7-8 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Activity Center, Port Monmouth

Discover the history behind the folklore of the Jersey Devil during this talk by a Park System Naturalist. FREE!

Also, the Park System has a number of sites listed on the National Registers of Historic Places that open for free tours this fall, including:

Historic Battery Lewis, located in Hartshorne Woods Park - Use the Rocky Point entrance in Highlands.

Saturdays & Sundays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; tours offered through October 12.

Historic Holmes-Hendrickson House, located in Holmdel Park, Holmdel

Friday-Sunday from 12-3 p.m. starting every half hour; tours offered through October 5.

Historic Portland Place, located in Hartshorne Woods Park, in the Locust section of Middletown

Wednesday-Sunday at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.; tours offered through November 16.

Historic Racing Stable in Thompson Park, Lincroft

Fridays from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturdays & Sundays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; tours offered through October 19.

Historic Seabrook-Wilson House located at Bayshore Waterfront Park in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown

Mondays, Thursdays & Sundays from 1-4 p.m.; tours offered through October 30.

Please note that these historic sites may close due inclement weather and on county holidays.

To learn more about these Park System activities, please visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call the Park System at 732-842-4000. For persons with hearing impairment, the Park System TTY/TDD number is 711. The Monmouth County Park System, created in 1960 by the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, is Monmouth County’s Open Space, Parks and Recreation agency.