All The October Events In Monmouth County Parks

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Fall into fun this October in Monmouth County parks!

Here's everything that's planned:

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Cookstove Demonstration Saturdays, October 3, 17 & 31 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!

Milling Demonstrations

Saturdays & Sundays, October 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 24 & 25, and 31 and November 1 at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

See the 19th century gristmill grind corn into meal. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. FREE!

Cider Making Demonstration

Sunday, October 4 from 12-2 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See how cider was made in the 19th century. No samples provided. FREE!

Music on the Porch

Sunday, October 4 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Let the toe tapping tunes of an acoustic duo enliven your visit. FREE!

Climb Time

Friday, October 9 from 3-6 p.m.
Shark River Park, Wall

Try the Park System's 25' portable climbing wall. You must be 42" or taller to climb. Open to ages 8 and up; under 18 with adult. FREE!

Open Shoot Archery

Saturday, October 10 from 10 a.m.-1 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. If you are new to archery, register for one of our instructional classes prior to attending. Open to ages 10 and up; under 18 with adult. The cost is $10 per person; cash or check only.

Piano Ballads from the Turn-of-the-Century

Saturday, October 10 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Head to the farmhouse and hear popular turn-of-the-19th-century ballads. FREE!

Traditional Chair Caning Demonstration

Saturday, October 10 from 1-3 p.m.
Holmes-Hendrickson House, Holmdel Park, Holmdel

See this 18th-century technique that often featured a six-way hexagonal pattern that was popular in Europe and the American colonies. FREE!

Blacksmith Demonstration

Sunday, October 11 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Head to the blacksmith shop and see craftsmanship in action and learn about the rich history behind the forge. FREE!

Casual Birder

Tuesday, October 13 at 9 a.m.
Holmdel Park, Holmdel

Go on this laid-back morning bird walk and meander through the park for about an hour and a half to see what birds we can find. Participants should expect to be walking a few miles (2-4) on sometimes uneven or muddy terrain. No need to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow if needed. FREE!

Open Mic Poetry - What Haunts You and/or poems written as a dialogue

Wednesday, October 14 from 7-8:30 p.m.
Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft

Explore or recite literary works during a time of alliteration, rhythm and verse. All are welcome to read your work aloud or read work from your favorite poet(s). Must be appropriate for a family-oriented audience. Pre-registration is recommended for readers. FREE!

Accordion Melodies of the 1890s

Saturday, October 17 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Hear melodies of the 1890s played on the accordion during your visit. FREE!

Thompson Park Day

Sunday, October 18 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Thompson Park, Lincroft

Celebrate the season with pumpkin painting, wagon rides, kids' races, entertainment, contests and so much more! Some activities have a fee. Admission and parking are free.

Nature Lecture: Explore the Rainforests of Belize

Sunday, October 18 from 1-2 p.m.
Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center, Aberdeen

Learn about the pristine, biodiversity-rich area of Belize that includes jaguars, green iguanas, howler monkeys and over 400 species of birds during this talk by a Park System naturalist. FREE!

Traditional Quilting Demonstration

Sunday, October 18 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See our quilter demonstrate beautiful quilting stitches. FREE!

Awesome Autumn Amble

Wednesday, October 21 at 10 a.m.

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

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

Trick-or-Treat at Walnford

Sunday, October 25 from 12-2 p.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold
Walk from building to building where staff will provide facts about the site as well as a treat to fill your basket. FREE!

Historic sites to tour:

The Park System has a number of sites listed on the National Registers of Historic Places that open for free tours including:

Historic Battery Lewis
Saturdays & Sundays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
May 23-October 11
Hartshorne Woods Park - Use Rocky Point entrance in Highlands.

Historic Holmes-Hendrickson House
Saturdays & Sundays from 12-3 p.m.
April 25-October 18
Holmdel Park, Holmdel

Historic Portland Place
Wednesday-Sunday at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
May 2-November 15
Hartshorne Woods Park, Locust section of Middletown

Historic Racing Stable
Friday-Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
May 2-October 18
Thompson Park, Lincroft

Please note that these historic sites may close due inclement weather and on county holidays.