Bring on the scarecrows, hayrides and pumpkins!
Bring on the scarecrows, hayrides and pumpkins!
More than 5,000 hand-carved pumpkins are part of THE GLOW: A Jack O'Lantern Experience at Monmouth Park racetrack through Oct. 31. Stroll along a trail that includes Pre-Historic Park, with jack-o'-lantern dinosaurs standing up to 16 feet tall; a pumpkin graveyard, with black cats, ghosts and gravestones; the Jersey Jaunt, with squash look-a-likes of familiar faces, including Tony Soprano, Eli Manning, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi and Frankie Valli; a Politicians Row, with the candidates in all their pumpkin glory; and more. There are also costume contests, pumpkin painting classes and a face painting station. Visitors can learn how to create their own masterpieces during a pumpkin carving demonstration. Located at 175 Oceanport Ave., Oceanport. THE GLOW is open Fridays and Saturdays, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sundays, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets start at $16. Visit theglowjackolantern.com.
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The ghosts of long-lost pirates and sea captains roam the Haunted Seaport from Oct. 20 to 22 in Tuckerton. From 6 to 9 p.m. each night, have a frightfully good time playing blacklight mini-golf, visiting a haunted graveyard, meeting the Jersey Devil and more. Admission is $8. Located at 120 W. Main St. Visit tuckertonseaport.org.
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There's plenty of family fun to be had as Clinton hosts Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 21. Bring painted, illuminated and carved pumpkins to be judged in the annual pumpkin contest and enjoy face-painting, horse-drawn hayrides and more along Main Street from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Visit clintonguild.com.
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The RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns comes to New Jersey from Oct. 27 to 30. More than 5,000 hand-carved and illuminated pumpkins will be on display, from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. each day, at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus. Tickets, which must be purchased in advance, are $26 for adults; $22 for children, ages 3 to 12, and seniors, 65 and older; free for children, ages 2 and younger. Visit therise.org.
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Climb aboard the Great Pumpkin Train to view the fall foliage along the Delaware River, on weekends through Oct. 30. The train departs Phillipsburg at 11 a.m. and at 12:30, 2 and 3:30 p.m. There is a stop at a pumpkin patch near the historic Carpentersville Lime Kilns, where kids can pick out a pumpkin. Tickets are $17 for adults and $11 for children. Visit 877trainride.com.
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Historic Smithville Park presents Scarecrows on Parade through Oct. 31. Visitors can view the family-friendly stuffed creations and vote for their favorites. The park is located at 803 Smithville Road, Eastampton. Visit co.burlington.nj.us.