Ready for a rainy Friday? After that, we’re getting some of the chilliest air of the season so far, so this is the weekend to dig out the cozy sweaters.

It’s also Halloween season for real now. That means you can expect magical mornings on Barnegat Bay, jump-scares at the Boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach, and thousands of glowing jack-o’-lanterns in Forked River.

The Harvest Arts Festival is also taking over Washington Street, and the Columbus Day Parade is finally getting a second try after a weather delay last week!

Grab a warm jacket, and let’s get into it.

P.S. If you’re enjoying the newsletter, please forward it to a friend in the Ocean County area!

This week, the spotlight is on Coffee Zone, a small, family-owned coffee shop created by local owners Beth Klein and Joe Guinta.

The food and coffee shop is located at 452 Rt 37 Unit 1. Toms River, NJ 08753.

Beth told us the Coffee Zone operates with one simple goal: to create a place where delicious food, great coffee, and community come together.

More than anything, Beth and Joe wanted The Coffee Zone to feel like a true neighborhood spot. A place where families are always welcome, familiar faces become friends, and you can always count on a warm hello, a really good cup of coffee and a flavorful bite to eat!

What we like about The Coffee Zone:

Your weekend tips:

Fire Prevention with Barnegat Fire Company Kids ages 3 to 10 can meet local firefighters, see a fire truck, and learn about fire safety during this free program at the Barnegat Library. Find out more here...

Sparks's Lab Makerspace Tour Explore the Stafford Library's makerspace and discover the creative tools and equipment available for community projects. Find out more here...

Read & Learn for Homeschool Families Homeschool families with children ages 4 to 8 can enjoy stories, book discussions, and activities together at the Manchester Library. Find out more here...

Tuckerton Farmers Market Browse locally grown produce, handmade goods, and artisan products outside The Union Market & Gallery during one of the market's final scheduled dates of the season. Find out more here...

AFTERNOON

Haunted History Walk Take a spooky stroll through two historic cemeteries with the Tuckerton Historical Society, meeting costumed characters who share stories of the area's past. Find out more here...

Pumpkin Party at the Library Kids ages 3 to 12 can paint miniature pumpkins or wooden pumpkin decorations before enjoying a slice of pumpkin pie at this festive fall workshop. Find out more here...

Friends of the Brick Library Clothing Drive Clean out your closets for a good cause by donating gently used clothing, shoes, linens, and accessories to support programs at the Brick Library. Find out more here...

Off the Shelf: Teen Book Club Teen readers ages 12 to 18 can discover new young adult books, from mysteries and romance to graphic novels and fantasy, with the Brick Library's teen librarians. Find out more here...

EVENING

Midnight Masquerade Murder Mystery Dinner Dress for intrigue and enjoy an interactive masquerade-themed murder mystery dinner at the historic Mathis House, where guests help unravel the mystery. Find out more here...

Outdoor Movie Night: Hocus Pocus Grab your blankets and lawn chairs for a free outdoor screening of Hocus Pocus at Mickey's Port of Call Pub, complete with complimentary popcorn and a dirty soda bar. Find out more here...

Curtis Salgado: The Original Blues Brother Award-winning blues and soul musician Curtis Salgado brings his powerful vocals, harmonica, and decades of musical experience to the intimate Lizzie Rose Music Room. Find out more here...

Urinetown: The Musical Starlight Performing Arts Center presents Urinetown, the irreverent musical comedy about a town where even using the bathroom comes at a price, at Surflight Theatre. Find out more here...

Country Line Dancing at Laurita Winery Pull on your boots for a country line dancing night at Laurita Winery, with a beginner lesson before the dancing continues. Ages 21+. Find out more here...

Moondoggie Rocks B2! Join the Ocean County 40+ Meetup group for a Friday night of live local rock music from Moondoggie at B2 Bistro + Bar. Find out more here...

In 1915, Ocean County was seen across America as the one bright spot on the New Jersey Map. The reason? It was the only county in the state to vote to amend the state constitution to extend suffrage to women.

The wild part is that, in 1776, women of property were allowed to vote in the state because the initial New Jersey constitution initially didn’t use the word “man” when explaining voting rights.

Unfortunately, that was changed in 1807, but on October 19, 1915 (111 years ago this Monday), Ocean County helped blaze the trail to return the right to vote to women.

The story goes that one saucy husband from the area responded to praise for the forward-thinking amendment with an apology, adding that his fellow men had only voted for suffrage “at the insistence of their wives.”

Five years later, women officially returned to the polls. You can read a sweet-and-condensed version of the history of women’s suffrage by the shore here…

MORNING

LBI Witchy Paddle Grab your paddleboard or kayak, dress like a witch or wizard, and join dozens of costumed paddlers for a magical morning on Barnegat Bay supporting breast cancer awareness. Find out more here...

Ocean Gate Car & Truck Show The Sentimental Cruisers Car Club brings classic cars, trucks, music, trophies, food trucks, and an ice cream truck to East Cape May Avenue for its second annual community show. Find out more here...

Little Egg Harbor Harvest Festival The Little Egg Harbor Chamber of Commerce hosts a free fall festival at Pinelands Regional High School featuring inflatables, pony rides, a petting zoo, food trucks, vendors, a magician, and live entertainment. Find out more here...

12th Annual Trucktoberfest The Island Heights Volunteer Fire Company hosts its annual Trucktoberfest at Wanamaker Field with food trucks, craft vendors, a beer garden, kids' activities, and live music from Cheesy & The Crackers. Find out more here...

Soups of the Shore Sample soups from local restaurants, browse craft vendors, and enjoy live entertainment outside the Lavallette First Aid Building during this community fundraiser. Find out more here...

Downtown Toms River Harvest Arts Festival Washington Street transforms into a fall celebration with a juried art show, handmade goods, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, live music, and free pumpkin painting for kids. Find out more here...

Art Adventures for Tweens Young artists ages 9 to 12 can explore their creativity during a hands-on Saturday morning art class at the Toms River Artist Community. Find out more here...

Gentle Yoga with Belle Start the weekend with an hour of beginner-friendly gentle yoga at the Toms River Library, led by instructor Belle Burns. Find out more here...

AFTERNOON

Boo at the Refuge Popcorn Park Animal Refuge hosts its first-ever Halloween celebration, a two-day weekend of trick-or-treating, animal encounters, crafts, costume contests, and seasonal drinks for adults. Find out more here...

Boo at the Boardwalk Jenkinson's Boardwalk kicks off the first of two Halloween weekends with trick-or-treating, spooky concerts, character appearances, underwater pumpkin carving, and select amusement rides at half credits. Find out more here...

Fire Prevention Day Open House Bring the family to Whiting Fire Company's open house for a behind-the-scenes look at the firehouse, live fire demonstrations, apparatus displays, tours, giveaways, and fire safety activities. Find out more here...

Baby & Kids Expo Expectant parents and families with young children can explore local businesses, baby products, family resources, activities, and giveaways at the Ocean County Mall. Find out more here...

Magic Trick Workshop Kids ages 6 to 12 can learn magic tricks with Premier Picnics & Parties and take home their own magic kit during this free Barnegat Library workshop. Find out more here...

EVENING

Thomas Mathis Burlesque Dinner Show Enjoy an evening of dinner and burlesque entertainment inside the historic Mathis House during this special Saturday night event. Find out more here...

Bruce in the USA: Springsteen Tribute Celebrate the music of the Boss as Bruce in the USA recreates the sound and energy of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at the Stafford Township Arts Center. Find out more here...

Denise Miller & Son: Live Music Local singer-songwriter Denise Miller performs country-folk music alongside her son and fellow musicians during an intimate Saturday night concert at Lizzie Rose Music Room. Find out more here...

Downtown Night Out Washington Street closes out its weekly season with Downtown Night Out, bringing outdoor dining, restaurants, and neighbors together for one of the last nights under the stars. Find out more here...

Friday starts warm, but showers are likely in the afternoon and early evening, so have a backup plan for outdoor events.

Then the coldest air of the season arrives, bringing a sunny, breezy Saturday and a crisp and clear Sunday with highs in the 50s.

Tide Predictions

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MORNING

American Angler Surf Fishing Classic Anglers of all ages can compete for prizes during this rescheduled one-day surf fishing tournament, with an awards ceremony planned at the Barnegat Recreation Center. Find out more here...

BlueClaws Fall Flea Market Hunt for secondhand treasures, collectibles, and local vendors throughout the parking lot at ShoreTown Ballpark during the BlueClaws' fall flea market. Find out more here...

Riccardi Racing Cars-N-Coffee Car enthusiasts can bring their rides or simply browse the vehicles on display during this casual Sunday morning cars and coffee gathering at the Ocean County Mall. Find out more here...

Giant Flea Market at Ocean County Park Spend Sunday morning bargain hunting at Ocean County Park's outdoor flea market, where vendors gather to sell secondhand goods and other finds. Find out more here...

AFTERNOON

VFW Patriots Classic Car Show VFW Post 8867 hosts a free community car show featuring classic vehicles, live music, food, vendors, raffles, and prizes, with proceeds benefiting veterans. Find out more here...

Ocean County Columbus Day Parade After last weekend's weather postponement, the annual parade returns to the Boulevard with marching bands, floats, antique cars, and community organizations celebrating Italian American heritage. Find out more here...

Common Grounds Fall Festival Celebrate the harvest at the Common Grounds Community Garden with free pony rides, a petting zoo, live music, garden tours, kosher food, art activities, and local vendors. Find out more here...

BooChella: Kids Halloween Festival Princess Party Productions hosts a Halloween festival with a foam party, bounce house, face painting, hair tinsel, hat making, cotton candy, and other activities for kids. Find out more here...

Trunk or Treat & Fall Carnival Aqua-Tots Swim School hosts its third annual free Halloween celebration, bringing local families and businesses together for an afternoon of trunk-or-treating and fall fun. Find out more here...

K-Pop Glow Party Head to Casino Pier for a free K-pop celebration featuring glow-in-the-dark hair and makeup, tattoos, singalongs, dancing, and photo opportunities. Find out more here...

Spooky Story Time: Legend of the Jersey Devil Kids ages 7 to 10 can hear the legendary tale of the Jersey Devil and create their own spooky sculpture during this Ocean County Parks program at Cedar Bridge Tavern Historic Site. Find out more here...

EVENING

Whiting Fire Company Italian Night Enjoy a spaghetti dinner followed by live music and dancing with Lou Abbato during this fundraiser presented by the Whiting Volunteer Fire Company's Ladies Auxiliary. Find out more here...

Jacks & Lights at Argos Farm Explore thousands of glowing jack-o'-lanterns, a flashlight corn maze, seasonal photo opportunities, and the farm's Halloween-themed attractions after dark. Find out more here...

Between magic on the bay, trick-or-treating on the boardwalk, and a parade on the Boulevard, Ocean County is going all in on the October fun this weekend.

Bundle up, enjoy the sunshine, and we’ll see you next week!

Know a local business, maker, restaurant, nonprofit, or hidden gem we should feature? Send them our way. (Here’s that email again: [email protected].)

We continue to have a string of great local spotlights lined up, and we want to keep introducing you to the people and businesses that make Ocean County special.