This weekend, spend time with your family raising money for The Valerie Fund, which supports children battling cancer and blood disorders, at the 4th Annual 5k Rook Run in Long Branch, watch and fly kites at the 3rd Annual LBI FLY International Kite Festival in Ship Bottom, celebrate agriculture, ecology, arts & heritage at the Harvest, Honey, & Garlic Festival in Augusta, eat all the seafood your family could imagine at Seafood & Music Festival in Wildwood, plus many more kid-friendly fairs and festivals in New Jersey this weekend.

Here are 15+ Things To Do This Weekend in NJ:

Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmomhq and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.

1. 4th Annual 5k Rook Run
Sunday, October 8, 2017 | 9:00AM to 2:00PM
The 4th Annual 5K Rook Run is one of the Jersey Shore’s largest 5k races and supports The Valerie Fund, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which provides care and support for children battling cancer and blood disorders around New Jersey. The Rook Run (and walk) will take place on Sunday, October 8th at the Great Lawn section of the Long Branch Boardwalk. Already, this glorious event is expected to surpass last year’s 3,000 participants, and contribute to over half a million dollars raised over the past three years for the children of The Valerie Fund. This is a various important and potentially life changing event to partake in, there is a hope that more participants join in on the running, walking, crawling, strolling (yes, strollers are allowed in the race), or donating any amount you can. Register your family here.
The Great Lawn Amphitheater
10 Ocean Ave, Long Branch, NJ 07740
Cost: $25 Kids Registration Fee, $40 Adult Registration Fee. Register to be a part of NJMOM’s team here

2. Deerfield Harvest Festival
Thursday, October 5 to Sunday, October 8, 2017 | Thursday 5:00PM to 9:00PM, Friday 5:00PM to 10:00PM, Saturday & Sunday 12:00PM to 10:00PM
The Deerfield Harvest Festival is the perfect venue for your family to enjoy various amusement rides, games, food, cartoon characters, jugglers, stilt walkers, BMX bike show, break dancers, trampoline show, and pony rides. The end of the festival will also feature fireworks on Sunday at 9:30PM only. It is Harvest Festival season, and there is no better place to start the great traditions and celebrations, than in Deerfield.
Morton Ave., Rosenhay, Deerfield, NJ 08302
GPS: 678 Morton Ave., Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Cost: Free Admission (Thursday Only), $1 General Admission (Friday Only), $2 General Admission (Saturday & Sunday Only)

3. 3rd Annual LBI FLY International Kite Festival
Friday, October 6, 2017 – Monday, October 9, 2017 | Friday 12:30PM to 3:00PM & 6:30PM to 10:00PM, Saturday 10:00AM to 4:00PM, Sunday 10:00AM to 4:00PM, Monday 9:00AM to 4:00PM
The 3rd Annual LBI Fly International Kite Festival will again be gracing the beaches of Long Beach Island over the course of Columbus Day Weekend. LBI Fly was organized to bring the brilliant colorful artist design kites together while showcasing the amazing sport of kiting. This cross-generational event will yield even more spectacular and unusual kites this year accompanied with local galleries prior to the festival.
3rd to 15th St Beaches, Ship Bottom, NJ
Cost: Free

4. Keansburg Centennial Celebration
Friday, October 6 – Sunday, October 8, 2017 | Friday 5:00PM to 9:00PM, Saturday 11:00AM to 3:00PM & 1:00PM to 8:00PM, Sunday 11:30AM to 8:30PM
JThe Centennial Celebration of the year takes place in Keansburg, and your family will not want to miss out. This event comes loaded with an army of food trucks, a lovely beer garden, live music, and vendors on Friday. There will also be a Forest Park Mini Carnival on Saturday from 11am to 3pm. The carnival will include a package of DJ Music, a petting zoo, Pony Rides (Limited Time), Carnival Games, and an exhilarating Watermelon Eating Contest. Saturday’s events will also feature a Friendship Park Photo/Arts/Craft Pop-Up & Concert from 1 PM – 8 PM. Sunday features a Baseball Game played Old Timers Style from 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM. Sunday will also incorporate a kid’s Hot Dog Eating contest along with the Keansburg Centennial Parade; followed by Fireworks at 730pm. This celebration has so many events, there is no reason to miss out on any single day. Your family will be having the most fun down in Keansburg, so make sure to join in on the celebration.
Keansburg, New Jersey
Cost: Free

VegFest in Asbury Park. via

5. New Jersey VegFest 2017
Saturday, October 7 – Sunday, October 8, 2017 | Saturday 10:00AM to 5:00PM, Sunday 10:00AM to 5:00PM
The second annual New Jersey VegFest will be held on October 7 & 8, 2017 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center. This yummy event will display amazing food, speakers, Veg Speed Date, and a beer garden featuring The Alementary, Bolero Snort Brewery and Cypress Brewing Company. There will also be a series of vegan pop-up shops in Morristown in April, June and July and in Asbury Park in July and August. This event is not just about the food, but there will also be a designated kids area with bounce house & velcro wall for all the little ones. Meadowlands Exposition Center
355 Plaza Dr, Secaucus, New Jersey 07094
Cost: Free for Kids 12 & Under, $30 1-Day Adult Pass, $50 2-Day Adult Pass, Tickets can be purchased here

6. Ocean City Fall Block Party
Saturday, October 7, 2017 | 9:00AM to 5:00PM
The Block Party of the Fall is finally here and will be jam packed for a full day of family and fun. The huge grouping of 400 crafters, food vendors, and music will surely keep friends and family of all ages occupied and in great spirits. A fireworks display in the evening over the ocean will also close out an incredible day, so make sure your family partakes in all the festivities.
5th -14th Streets Asbury Avenue
Ocean City NJ
Cost: Free

7. Ocean Grove Fall Harvest Fest
Saturday, October 7, 2017 | 10:00AM to 4:00PM (Rain or Shine)
Ocean Grove’s Fall Harvest is finally here and will be filled with family friendly activities such as crafts, good food, pumpkin painting, and over 200 crafters and artisans to chose from. This free event is a great way to begin the fall season with your whole family.
Auditorium Square Park
Main Ave & Pilgram Pathway, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756
Cost: Free

8. New Life Animal Rescue Annual Craft Fair & Family Festival
Saturday, October 7, 2017 | 10:00AM to 4:00PM (Rain Date: October 8)
Burlington County Fairgrounds will have over 130 artists, crafters, several food trucks, family games, pet contests, New Life Animal Rescue ALUMNI STRUT, adoptable dogs, professional portraits, a HUGE prize auction with, and 50/50 raffle all in one convenient place. The Annual Craft & Family festival is all about having a good time with your family while enjoying all the amenities for a wonderful festival.
Burlington County Fairgrounds
1960 JacksonvilleJobstown Road, Columbus NJ
Cost: Free

Country Fair in Metuchen. via

9. Metuchen Country Fair
Saturday, October 7, 2017 | 10:00AM to 4:00PM (Rain Dates: October 14 and October 21).
There’s no better place to be than Metuchen on Country Fair Day. There will be booths hosted by over 125 businesses, restaurants, non-profits, schools, churches, & more all come out to show off the best of the Borough. Your whole family and friends can spend day taking in the atmosphere as the kids partake in games, bouncy house, offerings from local restaurants,artisans, and a wide variety of entertainment. There will also be a very special Silent Auction of original works created by four professional artists during this past June as well as a fantastic Book sale at the Metuchen Library on their library lawn.
Main and New Streets in downtown Metuchen
Metuchen, New Jersey 08840
Cost: Free

10. Harvest, Honey, & Garlic Festival
Saturday, October 7, 2017 | 10:00AM to 4:00PM
The Sussex County 8th Annual Harvest, Honey, & Garlic festival is back for its 8th year in a row, and there is no way you want your family to miss out. Come celebrate Sussex County’s agriculture, ecology, arts & heritage at this magnificent combination festival. Your family can visit the farmer’s market to buy fresh products including: fruit, vegetables, flowers, and wine. Your family can also stop by the Sussex County Beekeepers Association to see educational displays along with an array of honey products. For those into all things garlic, you’ll have plenty to choose from with the Garden State Garlic Growers. This event is very unique so there is no reason to miss out.
The Sussex County Fairgrounds
37 Plains Rd, Augusta, New Jersey 07822
Cost: Free

11. Jersey City Harvest Festival 2017
Saturday, October 7, 2017 | 10:30AM to 1:30PM
Harvest Festival in Jersey City
Fall is here and so are the beautiful colors of the season we all love. JC Harvest Festival will be bringing in the wonderful season with plenty of seasonal activities such as: pumpkin decoration, face painting, live music, and plenty more,
Van Vorst Park
257-287 Montgomery St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Cost: Free

12. Health & HarvestFest
Saturday, October 7, 2017 | 11:00AM to 3:00PM (Rain or Shine)
The Health & HarvestFest on Springfield Avenue is the ultimate annual celebration of Fall. This years collaborators once again is the Maplewood Loves Wellness Health Fair; together there will be a one wonderful family event which will offer something for every member of your family to enjoy. For the kids, there will be pumpkin painting, a bounce house, pony rides, face painting, glitter tattoos, and crafts. For parents there will be many retail vendors selling a great variety of fun merchandise and a variety of health and wellness information. Activities for the kids are unlimited with the purchase of an $8.00 wristband (2 for $15.00) and it includes: Pumpkin patch and painting, Bounce House, Petting Zoo & Pony Rides, Other event activities include old-fashioned kids games such as hula hoops, jump ropes and sidewalk chalk games.
Maplewood Memorial Library Hilton Branch
1688 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood, NJ 07040
Cost: Free, $8 Kid Wristband for Participation in Acitivities

Oktoberfest at Applegate Farm in Montclair. via

13. Oktoberfest
Saturday, October 7, 2017 | 11:00AM to 3:00PM
The 23rd Annual Oktoberfest at Applegate Farm is finally here, and will be a Free and Fun event for the whole family. There will be a pumpkin painting contest, an ice cream eating contest, a petting zoo, clown, balloons, an Apple Cider Making Demonstration, Donuts, live DJ, games, and much more. Applegate Farms is providing a full day of great activities, so make sure your family does not miss out.
Applegate Farm Ice Cream
616 Grove St, Montclair, New Jersey 07043
Cost: Free

14. 11th Annual Hackettstown Community Day
Saturday, October 7, 2017 | 11:00AM to 4:00PM
Hackettstown Community day is back for its 11th year and is known to draw well over 2,500 attendees. Community Day is geared toward public awareness of the various non-profit agencies, Iocal businesses, clubs and organizations who will be making their presence known. Interactive displays, food, and giveaways will be provided by local businesses, and everything at Community Day is free to the public. Entertainment sponsors will be given prime display space next to the activity however, in keeping with the “free” nature of this event; no sale of items is permitted. The popular WRNJ 1510AM, 92.7FM, and 104.7FM will also be broadcasting live from the event.
Willow Grove Medical Plaza – Rear Parking Lot
653 Willow Grove St., Hackettstown
Cost: Free

15. Wildwoods Seafood & Music Festival
Saturday, October 7, 2017 | 11:00AM to 7:00PM (Rain Date: October 8)
This fantastic gathering of music and delectable eats from the sea will also feature 2 stages of live music featuring Animal House, Who Knows Band, 99 Reasons, and Large Flower Heads. There will also be plenty of crafters, food vendors, games, a pie eating contest and more to be announced. A “Kids Korner” with activities ranging from pumpkin painting, crab hat making and inflatable bounce houses will take place from 12-5pm. Wildwood is the place to be for this great combination festival, so make sure to partake in all the great experiences down in Wildwood.
Wildwoods Seafood & Music Festival
Atlantic Avenue Between Wildwood & Schellenger Avenues, Wildwood, New Jersey 08260
Cost: Free

BONUS

New Brunswick Oktoberfest
Saturday, October 7, 2017 | 12:00PM to 5:00PM
The best of Oktoberfest celebrations has made its way to New Brunswick as the place to be when the taps turn on to celebrate with many other families along George Street in New Brunswick’s City Center. Make sure to bring out friends and family for an afternoon of fun, great great beer choices, local fare, live music, and dancing for the entire community. The music line-up will keep you entertained all afternoon and feature a combination of performances for a all age groups. A children’s area will be staged on upper Bayard Street with pumpkin decorating, balloon twists and face painting. This event is a must for those celebrating the coming of fall, lovers of beer, or families just wanting to spend a great time out together.
New Brunswick City Market
109 Church St, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
Cost: Free