All The September Events In Monmouth County Parks

LINCROFT, NJ — From canoe rentals to an old-fashioned harvest celebration, September is filled with family-friendly activities thanks to the Monmouth County Park System. Here’s what is planned:

Open Swim at the Fort

Saturday-Monday, August 31-September 2 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Fort Monmouth Recreation Area, Tinton Falls

End the summer with a splash by keeping cool in the pool. The cost is $10 per person; $30 per family (up to four). Costs are per day; cash or check only.

Thompson Park Canoe Rentals

Saturday & Sunday, August 31 & September 1, 14 & 15 and 28 & 29 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Thompson Park, Lincroft

Canoes will be available for rent on Marlu Lake. All equipment provided; limited number of canoes available. Open to ages 3 and up; under 18 with adult. All rentals must be returned by 3 p.m. The cost is $15 per boat for 1-3 people for two hours; cash or check only.

Mill Demonstration

Saturdays & Sundays, August 31 & September 1, 7 & 8, 14 & 15, 21 & 22 and 28 & 29 from 1-4 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

See the 19th century gristmill in action. Demonstrations run through November. FREE!

Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir

Saturday-Monday, August 31-September 2 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5 p.m.

Manasquan Reservoir, Howell

These 45-minute tours are narrated by Park System Naturalists and include opportunities to view local wildlife. The cost is $6 per adult and $4 per child, age 12 and under. Please call 732-751-9453 to confirm schedule as tours are both weather and water level dependent. Life-jackets required. Tickets can be purchased on day of tour only.

Historical Fun and Games

Sunday & Monday, September 1 & 2 from 1-4 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

End summer by playing some family-friendly historical games. FREE!

Seabrook-Wilson House Tours

Sundays, September 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 from 9-11 a.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

Visit this house, which dates back to the early 1700s, and see displays on the ecology of the bay and local history.FREE!

Historic Battery Lewis Tours

Sundays, September 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 from 12-4 p.m.

Fridays, September 6, 13, 20 & 27 from 12-4 p.m.

Saturdays, September 7, 14, 21 & 28 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Hartshorne Woods Park, Highlands – Rocky Point section

Tour the newly restored Historic Battery Lewis and learn about the history of this important former coastal defense site. FREE!

Awesome Autumn Amble

Wednesday, September 4 from 10-11:30 a.m.

Manasquan Reservoir, Howell - Meet in the Environmental Center parking lot.

Wednesday, September 11 from 10-11:30 a.m.

Thompson Park, Lincroft - Meet in the Old Orchard parking lot.

Wednesday, September 25 from 10-11:30 a.m.

Big Brook Park, Marlboro - Meet in the Elsa’s Lodge parking lot.

Explore the trails with a Park System Naturalist and discuss all manners of plant and animal phenomenon. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. FREE!

Yarn Bee

Saturday, September 7 from 12-2 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Knit or crochet at your own pace during this relaxed gathering. Farm staff will be on hand to assist those wanting to learn. Bring your own supplies or borrow ours. Open to ages 10 and up. FREE!

Monarch Butterfly Tagging Demo

Saturdays, September 7 & 21 at 12 p.m.

Wednesdays, September 11 & 25 at 12 p.m.

Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell

See how scientists attach small tags to monarch butterflies' wings and learn about their epic migration to Mexico. If you’re lucky, you may get to release a monarch on its way. Please Note: Releases are dependent on weather and availability of butterflies. Call 732-751-9453 for more information. FREE!

Bonsai Day

Sunday, September 8 from 12-4 p.m.

Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown

The Park System presents this event with the Deep Cut Bonsai Society. Experience this intricate and ancient art through demonstrations and displays, with experts on hand to answer your questions. Admission and parking are free.

Open Ceramics

Sunday, September 8 from 12:30-4:30 p.m.

Thompson Park Creative Arts Center, Lincroft

Choose from a large selection of bisque fired pottery pieces to glaze and make your own. Children age 12 and under are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. The cost is $6 per hour plus price of bisque ware; cash or check only. Pieces will be fired in about a week.

Open Shoot Archery

Sunday, September 8 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft

All equipment is provided for this open shoot. No outside equipment permitted. This is not an instructional clinic and NOT designed for beginners. Open to ages 10 and up; under 18 with adult. The cost is $10 per person; cash or check only.

9/11 Memorial Ceremony

Wednesday, September 11 at 8 a.m.

Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook, Atlantic Highlands

Join us for this remembrance ceremony. All are welcome to attend.

The Casual Birder

Thursday, September 12 at 9 a.m.

Manasquan Reservoir, Howell - Meet in the Visitor Center parking lot.

Thursday, September 19 at 9 a.m.

Thompson Park, Lincroft - Meet in the Marlu Lake parking area.

Join a Park System Naturalist for this laid-back morning bird walk. No need to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy this walk. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow if needed. Open to ages 8 and up; under 18 with adult. FREE!

Butterfly and Pollinator Garden Tour

Fridays, September 13, 20 & 27 at 11 a.m.

Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell

Tour this special garden that is designed to provide habitat for wildlife. Tour is approximately 30 minutes and is offered weather permitting. FREE!

Roving Naturalist

Saturday, September 14 at 9 a.m.

Crosswicks Creek Park - Meet in the Polhemustown Road parking lot.

Join our Roving Naturalist for a leisurely walk on well-maintained trails and discuss seasonal points of interest, search for signs of wildlife, and identify a bird or two. This is a 1.5-2 hour program, but feel free to join in or drop out at any point. Dress for the weather as light rain is not a deterrent. FREE!

Wind & Sea Festival

Saturday, September 14 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

Celebrate all things water-related such as kayaking, fishing, sandcastle building, and more during this family-friendly festival. Admission and parking are free. Some activities may have a fee. Parking at the Belford Ferry Terminal.

Roving Golfzilla

Saturday, September 14 from 12-3 p.m.

Holmdel Park, Holmdel

See if you can hit golf balls through the hands, feet or mouth of Golfzilla. All are welcome. This is a non-instructional offering, however, if needed we will teach you the very basics of the golf swing. All equipment is provided. FREE!

Accordion Melodies of the 1890s

Saturday, September 14 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Hear music from yesteryear played on an accordion. FREE!

Jersey Shore Rose Society Show

Saturday, September 14 from 12:30-3:30 p.m.

Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown

See entries for the Jersey Shore Rose Society’s Annual Rose Show. Consulting rosarians will be available to answer questions. FREE!

Cookstove Demonstration

Saturdays, September 14 & 28 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See what's cooking on the woodstove and discover how recipes, cooking techniques and kitchens have changed since the 1890s. FREE!

Great Fall Perennial Plant Swap

Saturday, September 21

Plant intake from 8:30-10 a.m.

Plant selection from 10-11:30 a.m.

Tatum Park, Middletown - Use Red Hill Road entrance.

Bring perennials in one-quart, one-gallon or two-gallon containers and take home the same size and number of plants. Please label all plants. Houseplants may also be exchanged, but no annuals please. FREE!

Rug Hooking Demonstration

Saturday, September 21 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See this demonstration on the 19th century craft of rug hooking. FREE!

Seashell Sunday

Sunday, September 22 from 1-2 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth

See an assortment of live mollusks, crustaceans, and cool beach finds and artifacts while learning where shells come from and how to collect them without harming the environment. Bring unidentified or interesting finds to share with a Park System Naturalist. FREE!

Annual Cornbread Contest

Sunday, September 22 from 12:30-3:30 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Bring the equivalent of a 9” x 13” pan of cornbread and a typed copy of your recipe between 12:30 and 1 p.m. Judging from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Ribbons will be awarded at 3 p.m. FREE!

Golden Ear Corny Joke Contest

Sunday, September 22 from 12:30-3 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Tell your best family friendly jokes during this contest. Anyone may enter by submitting up to three jokes by 2:30 p.m. Jokes will be read and the audience laughter will decide the winner of the 2019 Golden Ear trophy. FREE!

Nature Lecture Series: Journey of the Monarch Butterfly in Monmouth County

Thursday, September 26 from 7-8 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth

Join a Park System Naturalist for this discussion on the life history of monarch butterflies, what they eat, and their fascinating migrations. We will also discover some of the threats to monarch butterfly’s long-term survival.FREE!

Open House Barn Dance

Friday, September 27 from 7-9:30 p.m.

Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft

Give square dancing a try during this fun, family-friendly barn dance! Open to ages 12 and up; under 18 with adult. FREE!

Harvest Home Festival

Sunday, September 29 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Enjoy wagon rides, games and live entertainment during this old-fashioned fair that is reminiscent of the 1890s. There are also ongoing craft demonstrations and a Home & Garden competition. Admission and parking are free