Hey neighbors…
Sunshine all weekend? We’ll take it!
With Halloween a week away, the spooky fun is in full swing. That means trunk-or-treats all weekend, a Thriller dance contest on the Seaside boardwalk, and a costume parade … but for pets.
There’s also a 5K that ends with pizza, a 100th birthday party for a historic locomotive, and pumpkin cannons at Laurita Winery!
Grab a hoodie (and maybe a candy bucket), and let’s get into it.
P.S. Know a neighbor still hunting for Halloween plans? Forward this their way!
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Community Spotlight: Sanctum & Sol
This week, the spotlight is on Sanctum & Sol, a local women-centered therapeutic massage and somatic bodywork business right here in Ocean County.
The studio is at 407 Lacey Rd, Suite 3, in Forked River, NJ 08731.
Sanctum & Sol was founded by licensed massage therapist Bethany Evans, who has put the work in to create a space that offers a gentle, personalized approach for those experiencing stress, burnout, chronic tension, or overwhelm.
What we like about Sanctum & Sol:
A focus on serving women (although appointments for men are also available by referral or at Bethany’s discretion)
Sessions are slow, non-forceful, and customized to each client.
Aromatherapy, hot towels, energy work, and cupping can be incorporated (at no additional cost).
Your weekend tips:
Book a session at sanctumandsol.com.
Remember that pricing includes tax and gratuity, so tipping is never expected.
Say hi to Bethany from us!
This week in Ocean County...
Friday, October 23rd
MORNING
Drop-In Craft: Build a Paper Vampire Kids ages 3–12 can stop by the Plumsted Library to build their own paper vampire during this free, drop-in Halloween craft, while supplies last. Find out more here...
Creative Crafting for Adults with Developmental Disabilities The Jackson Library hosts a welcoming, hands-on crafting session designed to encourage creativity, coordination, and social connection for adults with developmental disabilities, with registration and caregiver attendance required. Find out more here...
Beachwood & Pine Beach PBA Annual Golf Outing Support Beachwood and Pine Beach PBA Local 253 during its annual fundraising golf outing at LBI National Golf & Resort. Find out more here...
AFTERNOON
Origami Autumn Wreath Workshop Learn to fold colorful paper into a decorative autumn wreath during this beginner-friendly craft workshop at the Toms River Library, with materials provided and registration required. Find out more here...
Freedom to Create: The Artists Who Shaped America Explore the creative legacies of Georgia O'Keeffe, Faith Ringgold, and Keith Haring before making your own artwork during this free lecture and art-making session at the Point Pleasant Beach Library. Find out more here...
Mindful Art Workshop Slow down and enjoy the creative process during a relaxing, judgment-free art session at the Barnegat Library, with all materials provided and registration required. Find out more here...
Preschool Music & Art: Parachute Fun Preschoolers ages 3–5 can sing, dance, play parachute games, and make a spooky pipe-cleaner spider during this free music and art program at the Waretown Library. Find out more here...
Ship Bottom Police Department Trunk or Treat Bring the kids in costume to the Ship Bottom Municipal Boat Ramp for the borough police department's annual trunk-or-treat celebration. Find out more here...
EVENING
Manahawkin Mart Trunk or Treat The Manahawkin Mart Shoppes hosts a free evening of decorated trunks, Halloween treats, and family fun at its East Bay Avenue shopping center. Find out more here...
Thrills & Chills Haunted Market The New Egypt Flea Market Village gets a spooky makeover with the Lower Bucks Paranormal Society, live music from Deja Vu, food from Lil' Legacy Hot Dogs, and Halloween fun under the lights. Find out more here...
BooClaws Spooktacular ShoreTown Ballpark transforms into a Halloween celebration with trick-or-treating, family activities, and a screening of Hocus Pocus on the big screen, with tickets starting at $10. Find out more here...
St. Francis Community Center Trunk or Treat Dress up and enjoy an evening of candy, decorated vehicles, raffles, food, and family-friendly Halloween activities in the St. Francis Community Center parking lot. Find out more here...
Handmade Fabric Pumpkin Workshop Get crafty with Bridge Events during a hands-on workshop at the Knights of Columbus, where you'll sew up a decorative handmade fabric pumpkin for the fall season. Find out more here...
Laughs at Laurita: Kricket Comedy Night Enjoy a double-headliner comedy show featuring Buda and Jay Black during an adults-only night of stand-up at Laurita Winery. Find out more here...
Did you know… about Ship Bottom’s mysterious woman?
The view from Ship Bottom (Source)
According to local historian John Bailey Lloyd, in March 1817 a schooner crew came across a capsized ship on the shoals in Ship Bottom. The crew investigated the wreck, which didn’t appear to have any survivors at first.
Upon further investigation, though, they heard someone knocking from inside the hull. Captain Stephan Willets cut through the upended ship's bottom with an ax and found a young woman. She couldn’t speak English, but she expressed her gratitude after her rescue by drawing a cross of thanks in the sand.
The craziest part? Nobody wrote down who she was or even what ship it was that had been wrecked. We still don’t know. Yet the site took on the simple name Ship Bottom. You can read the full story (and the later history of the area) here…
Saturday, October 24th
MORNING
First Annual Railroad Fest & Museum Reopening Celebrate the 100th birthday of historic Plymouth Locomotive #2173 with operating narrow-gauge trains, model railroad displays, antique engines, classic cars, and the reopening of the Berkeley Township Historical Society Museum. Find out more here...
Autumn Lights Festival for Parkinson's Huddy Park hosts a free community festival supporting Parkinson's awareness, with live music, food trucks, local vendors, a pumpkin patch, face painting, and a cornhole tournament. Find out more here...
5K for Pizza: Seaside Heights Run or walk a scenic boardwalk 5K, then celebrate at the finish line with two full-size slices of local pizza included with registration. Find out more here...
Calming Coloring: Halloween Masks Kids can stop by the Beachwood Library to decorate their own cat or pumpkin Halloween mask during this free drop-in craft session. Find out more here...
Advice from a Professional Genealogist Discover ten practical tips for researching your family history with professional genealogist Debbie Hadley during this free workshop at the Lacey Library. Find out more here...
AFTERNOON
Harvest Hayride & Pizza Fest Long Beach Township combines two fall favorites into one celebration at Bayview Park, featuring hayrides, pumpkin picking, local pizza, live music from two bands, and free children's activities. Find out more here...
Halloween in the Heights The boardwalk transforms into a Halloween playground with pumpkin decorating, inflatable attractions, trick-or-treating, wildlife demonstrations, costume contests, and a Thriller dance competition. Find out more here...
Jackson Township Trail of Terror Jackson Township Recreation transforms Johnson Park into a Halloween adventure featuring two haunted pathways, including a scary trail and a less-intense option for younger visitors. Find out more here...
18th Annual FurFest & Halloween Pet Parade The Friends of the Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter host their annual Halloween Fur Fest at the county animal facility, with registration at 1 p.m. and the pet costume parade and judging starting at 1:30. Find out more here...
Fall Fest at Proving Ground Church Enjoy a free family fall festival featuring trunk-or-treating, pedal cars, a candy apple bar, a pumpkin trail, a car show, a petting zoo, and $2 pony rides. Find out more here...
Tuckerton Seaport Trick or Treat Dress the kids in their Halloween costumes and head to Tuckerton Seaport for a free afternoon of trick-or-treating around the historic waterfront boardwalk. Find out more here...
A Meeting of the Macabre: Edgar Allan Poe & Anne Rice The Traveling Literary Theater brings gothic literature to life at the Long Beach Island Library through dramatic readings and storytelling inspired by Poe and Rice. Find out more here...
EVENING
Hocus Pocus Movie on the Boardwalk Finish the Halloween in the Heights celebration with a free outdoor screening of Hocus Pocus at the Carteret Avenue Stage on the Seaside Heights Boardwalk. Find out more here...
All Exits! Statewide Play Reading: One Great Song Surflight Theatre hosts a staged reading of One Great Song by local playwright Hope Kobus, a coming-of-age story about a young musician torn between her dreams and her family. Find out more here...
Bernard Purdie with Keyes-Bergson-Hooks Legendary drummer Bernard Purdie joins blues and soul musicians Dave Keyes, Chris Bergson, and Ellis Hooks for an intimate night of live music at Lizzie Rose Music Room. Find out more here...
Almost CHER Tribute Concert Experience the music, costumes, and stage presence of Cher during this tribute concert at the Stafford Township Arts Center. Find out more here...
A look at the weather…
Absolutely gorgeous weather this weekend, with lots of sun every day!
Don’t let the sunshine fool you, though. Highs will be in the 60s on Sunday, but Friday and Saturday are in the 50s. Dress for fall fun!
Sunday, October 25th
MORNING
LBI Halloween Hustle 5K & Little Monsters Dash Costumed runners and walkers take over Surf City for the inaugural Halloween Hustle 5K, followed by a Little Monsters Dash for kids, with proceeds benefiting the Surf City Volunteer Fire Company and EMS. Find out more here...
Cars & Coffee: Cruisin' for a Cure Burger 25 hosts a charity cars-and-coffee gathering with classic vehicles, breakfast, and coffee, raising money through premium parking reservations to support local families affected by cancer. Find out more here...
Sun Harbor Fall Festival Enjoy a waterfront fall celebration with pumpkin painting, trick-or-treating, local vendors, Kegs & Eggs from 10 to 1, and live music from The Polish Nannies from 11 to 3. Find out more here...
AFTERNOON
Fall Fest at Laurita Winery Spend Sunday among the vines with live bands, food trucks, local vendors, wagon rides, pumpkin and flower picking, apple cider donuts, and apple-and-pumpkin cannons. Find out more here...
Waretown Volunteer Fire Company Halloween Parade Families can dress in costume and join the Waretown Volunteer Fire Company's annual parade, lining up at the Waretown Library before marching to the firehouse. Find out more here...
The Waterfront's 7th Annual Trunk or Treat The Waterfront hosts a free Halloween celebration featuring decorated trunks, indoor treat stations, candy, music, contests, and local businesses handing out goodies. Find out more here...
That’s it for this week.
Get all of the pumpkin, costume, and all-around fall fun in that you can while the weather cooperates!
Next time, we’ll be back with a spooktacular list of recommendations for Halloween weekend itself. See you next week!
P.S.
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.