All The September Events In Monmouth County Parks

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Enjoy September in the parks! From canoe rentals to an old-fashioned harvest celebration, September is filled with family-friendly activities thanks to the Monmouth County Park System. Here’s what is planned:

Thompson Park Canoe Rentals

Saturday & Sunday, August 31 & September 1 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Thompson Park, Lincroft

Canoes will be available for rent on Marlu Lake. All equipment provided; limited number of canoes available. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. All rentals must be returned by 3 p.m. Fee is $15 per boat for 1-3 people for two hours. Cash or check only.

Historic Battery Lewis Tours

Saturdays & Sundays, August 31 & September 1, 7 & 8, 14 & 15, 21 & 22 and 28 & 29 at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.

Hartshorne Woods Park, Highlands – Use Rocky Point parking lot.

Tour the restored Historic Battery Lewis and learn about the history of this important former coastal defense site. FREE!

Milling Demonstrations

Saturdays & Sundays, August 31 & September 1, 7 & 8, 14 & 15, 21 & 22 and 28 & 29 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!

Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir

Saturday-Monday, August 31-September 2 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5 p.m.

Manasquan Reservoir, Howell

These 45-minute tours are narrated by Park System Naturalists and include opportunities to view local wildlife. The cost is $6 per adult and $4 per child, age 12 and under. Please call to confirm schedule as tours are both weather and water level dependent. All tours leave from the Visitor Center. Life-jackets required. Tickets can be purchased on day of tour only.

Seabrook-Wilson House Open

Sundays, September 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29; Mondays, September 9, 16, 23 & 30; and Thursdays, September 5, 12, 19 & 26 from 1-4 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

Visit this house which dates back to the early 1700s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and see displays on the ecology of the bay and local history. FREE!

Historic Portland Place Tours

Wednesdays-Sundays, September 4-8, 11-15, 18-22 and 25-29 at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.

Historic Portland Place, Hartshorne Woods Park, Locust

Tour this beautifully restored 18th century house with exhibits that help tell the story of the region's history and the Hartshorne family legacy in Monmouth County. Through September 22, Julia’s Wardrobe, an exhibit featuring five custom-made 19th century gowns, is on display. Tours are limited to 10 persons and may be suspended during severe weather conditions. Register on site at the Portland Place Visitor Center day of tour. FREE!

Awesome Autumn Ambles

Thursday, September 5 from 10-11:30 a.m.

Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell - Meet in the parking lot.

Thursday, September 12 from 10-11:30 a.m.

Huber Woods Environmental Center, Middletown - Meet in the 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!

Potato Harvest

Saturday & Sunday, September 7 & 8 from 12-2 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Learn how potatoes were grown and harvested at the end of the 19th century. Help the farm staff bring in the crop and dig some potatoes for your own family. Weather and field conditions permitting. FREE!

Bonsai Day

Sunday, September 8 from 12-4 p.m.

Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown

The Monmouth County Park System and the Deep Cut Bonsai Society present Bonsai Day. Experience this intricate and ancient art through demonstrations and displays, with experts on hand to answer your questions. Admission and parking are free.

Old-Fashioned Fun & Games

Sunday, September 8 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Play a variety of historically-themed games to delight and challenge the whole family. Open to all ages; under 14 with adult. FREE!

Casual Birder

Tuesday, September 10 at 9 a.m.

Manasquan Reservoir, Howell - Meet at the Visitor Center.

Join a Park System Naturalist for a laid-back morning bird walk and meander through the park for about an hour and a half to see what birds we can find. Participants should expect to be walking a few miles (2-4) on sometimes uneven or muddy terrain. No need to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow if needed. FREE!

Open Shoot Archery

Saturday, September 14 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.

Wind & Sea Festival

Saturday, September 14 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

Celebrate all things water-related such as kayaking, fishing, kite flying, sandcastle building, and more during this family-friendly festival. Admission and parking are free. Some activities may have a fee. Parking at the Belford Ferry Terminal.

Accordion Melodies of the 1890s

Saturday, September 14 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

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

A Tribute to All Things Broadway

Saturday, September 14 from 2-3:30 p.m. & 7-8:30 p.m.

Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft

Enjoy songs, scenes and dances from Broadway musicals during this showcase presented by the Monmouth County Park System along with Sway Productions. Light refreshments will be served. Cost is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $5 for children ages 12 and up. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.MonmouthCountyParks.com and will also be available at the door while availability lasts.

Cookstove Demonstrations

Saturdays, September 14 & 28 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!

Story Time in the Park

Sunday, September 15 from 11-11:45 a.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Join us as we read a storybook in front of the hearth in the Waln House. Children are welcome to bring a snack and a mat, blanket or towel to sit on. Open to grades PreK-2. FREE!

Climb Time

Friday, September 20 from 3-6 p.m.

Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, Long Branch

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!

Fall Native Plant Exchange

Saturday, September 21 - Plant drop-off is 8:30-10 a.m.; Swap begins at 10 a.m.

Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown

Bring established native plants in four-inch, one-quart, one-gallon or two-gallon containers to exchange with like sizes. Label all plants. Only plants native to the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States will be accepted. FREE!

Fall Antique Auto Display

Sunday, September 22 from 10 a.m-2 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

See antique automobiles dating 1973 and earlier on display. Pack a picnic, stroll our leafy landscape, and admire these 20th century beauties. FREE!

Preserving the Harvest

Sunday, September 22 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See 19th century techniques for food preservation such as salting, pickling, drying and jelling during this demonstration. FREE!

Music on the Porch

Sunday, September 22 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Let the sound of bluegrass music enliven your visit. FREE!

Nature Lecture: Cownose Rays of the Jersey Shore

Thursday, September 26 from 7-8 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth

Learn about the life and ecology of cownose rays found along the Jersey Shore during this talk by a Park System Naturalist. FREE!

Concert in the Park: A Night of Jazz and Blues

Friday, September 27 from 7-8:30 p.m.

Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft

Hear local talent perform during this outdoor concert. Bring chairs or blankets, food and soft drinks. Will be moved indoors if the weather is inclement. FREE!

Open House Square Dance

Friday, September 27 from 7-9 p.m.

Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft

Give square dancing a try during this fun, family-friendly evening with the Middletown Ramblers! Ages 14 and up are welcome; under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. FREE!

Jigsaw Puzzle Swap

Saturday, September 28 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft

Bring used puzzles and swap them for "new to you" ones. For every puzzle you bring, you will get one token to take a "new" puzzle home. Complete puzzles in good condition, please. All categories welcome. FREE!

Woodworking at Walnford

Saturday, September 28 from 12-3 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Watch as local woodworker Don demonstrates 19th century woodworking. FREE!

Everyone Has a Story

Saturday, September 28 from 6-8 p.m.

Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft

Gather around for a night of storytelling with host James Dalton. The evening will feature characters offering different voices and perspectives. Audience members will be encouraged to share their stories. Light refreshments will be served. FREE!

Harvest Home Festival

Sunday, September 29 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

This old-fashioned fair is reminiscent of the 1890s. Visitors can enjoy games, wagon rides, and live entertainment. Admission and parking are free.

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.