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Your NJ Weekend October 1-2: Octoberfest, Catoberfest, Other Fests and Lenape Indians, mostly FREE!
Welcome to fall, NJ Moms and Dads. Hopefully by this weekend we will be able to put away our shorts and tank tops and pull out our jackets. Or at least a long-sleeved shirt. Octoberfests abound (plus one Catoberfest), festivals are everywhere, and there’s even some Native American celebrations to round out the fun. Oh, and most of it is free. And “free” almost always equals fun, doesn’t it?
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This festival has been going on since 1977, so they have it down pat. The streets of Ridgewood are turned into a giant open-air pedestrian market with tons of kids’ activities like a giant slide and fall crafts, tons of local restaurants and exhibitors. Saturday October 1, 10am to 5pm, FREE. (201) 447-6232
Catoberfest (Ringoes)
Tabby’s Place Cat Sanctuary holds their annual open house, aptly named Catoberfest, with free classes on cat and dog behavior (sign me up for that so I can figure out my crazy one), live music, low-cost micro-chipping for your pets and goodies bags for the first 500 guests, plus so much more kitty-themed stuff. Saturday October 1 from 11am to 4pm, FREE.
Octoberfest (Roseland)
Octoberfest at the lovely nature-y Essex County Environmental Center sounds like a beautiful thing, doesn’t it? Games, canoeing, activities, crafts and food. And FREE. And you know how we feel about free. Saturday, October 1 from 11am to 4pm.
Fall Festival at Howell Living History Farm (Lambertville)
The Farm’s 27th Annual Fall Festival is a cool and unusual event where visitors earn their share of the harvest. There was a time when threshing rigs rumbled through the Mercer countryside stopping at farms to help families thresh their wheat, so participants in this fest take on the role of “helping neighbors,” joining farmers as they plant, thresh, winnow and grind wheat. Saturday, October 1 from 11am to 3pm and Sunday, October 2 from noon to 3pm. FREE admission, but if you want to do the children’s craft (pumpkin decorating), there’s a $2 materials fee. Call (609) 737-3299 for more information.
Lenape Day at Great Swamp (Chatham)
The Ramapough Lenape will demonstrate dance and drumming techniques and visitors can participate in native games, tour a wigwam, take a guided walk, and shop amongst the American Indian Handicraft Vendors. Saturday, October 1 from 11am to 4pm. Not free, but almost. $5/person. Call 973-635-6629 for more information.
