Thompson Park Day Fall Festival Oct. 16

Middletown, NJ - Looking to get into the autumn spirit? Head over to Thompson Park Day and enjoy pumpkin painting, wagon rides, a Scarecrow Contest and so much more! Held at Thompson Park, 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 16, this event offers fun for the whole family. Free activities for the day include canoeing on Marlu Lake (weather permitting), kids’ races, a corn maze, disc golf, mini-golf, pie-eating contests, and entertainment. There will also be square dancing from 1-2:30 p.m. and DJ Ed’s Dance Party from 3-5 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 16 is also the full moon.

Other free offerings include the Dash for Cash, S.T.E.A.M. Fun, Zany Zombies and Discover Walnford. Activities requiring two tickets are pumpkin painting, wagon rides, climbing wall, inflatable rides, archery, Mini Tea Cups andDixie Twister. Activities requiring additional tickets are the Bungee Trampoline (3 tickets), Grab & Go Ceramics (3 tickets) and Fired Up Ceramics (10 tickets). Each ticket is $1.

The Scarecrow Contest runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contestants are asked to bring a face and clothing for their scarecrow while the Park System provides framing and stuffing. Prizes will be awarded. Day of event registration is available for $12 on a first-come, first-served basis. The Friends of the Parks will once again hold its annual Strut Your Mutt doggie costume contest. Details for both the Scarecrow Contest and Strut Your Mutt are available online at www.monmouthcountyparks.com

The day’s schedule is as follows:

Kids’ Races:
Diaper Derby:
(Crawlers) 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m.
Tot Trot:
(Walkers to 17 mos.) 11:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m., 3:45 p.m.
(18 to 23 mos.) 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.
(2 to 3 yrs.) 11:15 a.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 4:15 p.m.
Pee Wee Run:
(4 to 6 yrs.) 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m.
Sack Races:
(7 to 8 yrs.) 12:15 p.m., 3 p.m.
(9 to 10 yrs.) 1:45 p.m., 4:45 p.m.

Entertainment
Theater Barn:
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Little Rockers
1-1:45 p.m. Brenn Swanson’s Silly Circus
2:30-3:15 p.m. Justin & Alina
4-4:15 p.m. Funny Factory Clown Parade
4:15-5 p.m. Hooray…It’s Halloween! Magic Show
Strolling Performers:
12-4 p.m. Balloon Twister by Tori Ann
1-5 p.m. Mad Hatters Stilt Walker
The event will also feature pie-eating contests. The children’s pie-eating contest is at 1 p.m. and the adults’ pie-eating contest begins at 1:15 p.m. These contests are free but registration is required and accepted in the kids' race area.