Free, Local, & Driveable Family Events To Plan For This Weekend

It's weekend time again, and we've got five great, family-friendly events for you once again.  And, just like last week, almost all of them are completely, 100% FREE to attend!  How can you beat keeping the kids entertained and not spending a dime out of pocket?  

This weekend, we've got an Ice Cream Festival down in Toms River, and the Wiggles bring their big birthday party to the Izod Center.  There's a comic book sale and autograph signing to benefit St. Barnabus in West Orange, and an old-fashioned drive-in movie in Bridgewater.  And to cap it all off, we've got a big festival celebrating the New Jersey and New York City waterfronts - the NJ side being held at Liberty State Park in Jersey City. 

It's going to be a beautiful weekend, so pack up the family, get out there, and enjoy it!

As always, be sure to tell us if you think we forgot something. And if you know of an event that deserves a mention in this planner in the future, be sure to add it to the calendar!

• 9th Annual New Jersey Ice Cream Festival at Downtown Toms River; Washington St., Toms River; 732-341-8738; Price: FREE ($7 for a tasting kit); Saturday, 11:30 AM-5 PM

Yes, it may be a bit of a drive, but isn't ice cream always worth it?  The typical festival fare applies here:  Rides, games, live music, and so on.  But the real draw is, naturally, the ice cream.  In addition to both kids and adults ice cream eating contests and a children's ice cream coloring contest, you can (for a $7 fee) get a tasting kit and try out ice cream from vendors located throughout New Jersey.  Be sure to vote for your favorite!

• Superheroes for Hospice Comic Book Show at Saint Barnabas Health Care System Corporate Office; 98 Old Short Hills Rd., West Orange; 973-322-4866; Price: FREE; Saturday, 10 AM-5 PM

Have a comic book fan in the household?  Head up to the Superheroes for Hospice event at Saint Barnabas.  Comic book creators (still TBA) will be in house to offer autographs and chat with fans.  There will also be plenty of comics to browse through to add to your collection.  Or, if your collection is getting a bit out of hand, you can also donate unwanted comics to the center to benefit patients and families facing advanced illness.  It's comics for a good cause!

• Drive-In Movie Gulliver's Travels at Duke Island Park; Old York Rd., Bridgewater; 908-722-1200 ext. 351; Price: FREE; Friday 8:30 PM

Head on out to Bridgewater for an old-fashioned drive-in movie.  The 2010 Jack Black flick Gulliver's Travels (don't worry, it's rated PG) will be playing at Duke Island Park.  Bring a blanket and a picnic basket and enjoy a family movie night the way it was in the old times - from the comfort of your car, on a big screen.  Stay comfortable by putting the kids in their PJs and make sure to bring along bug spray just in case.

• City of Water Day Festival at Liberty State Park; Audrey Zapp Dr., Jersey City; 212-935-9831 ext. 104; Price: FREE; Saturday, 10 AM-4 PM

A family festival celebrating the New Jersey and New York waterfronts, the City of Water Day Festival features free boat tours, free kayaking and fishing opportunities, a free ferry from Liberty State Park to Governor's Island in New York (which is holding events of it's own as part of the festival), free waterfront biking, free arts, crafts, and games, and a waterfront activity fair.  Free is the operative word here - there's going to be a ton to do along the Jersey City waterfront Saturday afternoon - and that's saying nothing of the stunning views of the NYC skyline.  Check out the website for a full schedule of events in both NJ and NYC, as it's far more than I can list here.

• The Wiggles Big Birthday Tour at Izod Center; 50 State Route 120, East Rutherford; 201-460-4370; Price: $15.50-$75.50; Sunday, 12:30 and 4 PM

The Wiggles celebrate their big birthday in New Jersey this Sunday, bringing their Big Birthday Tour to the Izod Center for two performances.  The Fab Four from Down Under will have their friends Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus, Captain Feathersword, and more with them as you celebrate their birthday with songs like "Sound Your Funky Horn" and "Hot Potato."  And remember - make sure Purple Wiggle doesn't fall asleep on stage!