What To Do This Weekend: Butterflies, Disco, and an Italian Festival

Weekend time is finally here!  After a week of school, are your kids itching to get out and reclaim a bit of summer again?  No worries, we've got you covered with five great family-friendly events!

There's free events near and far this week - check out Baby Loves Disco at Woodbridge Center Mall, where the kids can sing, dance, do crafts, and enjoy DJ music Saturday afternoon, or take a trip up to Hoboken for their annual fall Italian Festival, featuring fireworks with New York City as the backdrop Saturday night.

There's a butterfly release event to raise awareness for pediatric cancer in Freehold, and a program to learn all about organic gardening - with a chance to try some fresh, delicious homegrown Jersey produce.

And there's the last of the "big 3" New Jersey seafood festivals this weekend in Asbury Park - Oysterfest, featuring oysters (duh) as well as a children's play area and even some things to keep mom & dad entertained all weekend!

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. 

"Baby Loves Disco" Dance Party at ; 250 Woodbridge Center Drive, Woodbridge; 732-636-4777; Price: Free (Families can obtain up to four tickets from H&M, tickets required for admission); Saturday, 1-4 PM

Music, DJs, facepainting, crafts, temporary tattoos and more headline Saturday's Baby Loves Disco event at H&M in Woodbridge Center Mall.  Don't let the name fool you, as this event is great for kids of all ages, not just babies!  A great opportunity to get some last-minute back to school shopping in as well.

Butterfly Release at Camp Quality New Jersey, 901 West Main Street, Freehold; 732-779-3436; Price: FREE; Saturday, 1 PM

Head down to Freehold this weekend for Camp Quality's annual butterfly release.  At 1 PM, the group will join other Camp Qualitys nationwide in releasing butterflies into the air to raise awareness of pediatric cancer.  Bring the kids down and watch as the butterflies ascend and head south for the winter and learn more about Camp Quality's work in helping with the care and emotional needs of children with cancer and their families.

Oysterfest at Asbury Park; Lake Avenue, Asbury Park; 732-879-1111; Price: FREE Friday, $3 for a weekend pass; Friday 5-8 PM, Saturday  11 AM-8 PM, Sunday 10 AM-5 PM

One of the last big seafood festivals of the summer, Asbury Park's Oysterfest features children's rides and inflatables, facepainting, music from over 25 local musicians, appearances by local sports teams, and of course, lots and lots of oysters.  Enjoy the best in seafood while letting the kids get one last good outdoor runaround at the shore!  For the parents, there's also a sports lounge so you don't miss a second of the NFL action on Sunday!

Hoboken Italian Festival at downtown Hoboken; Washington Avenue, Hoboken; 201-206-0252; Price: FREE (donations appreciated); Friday 6-11 PM, Saturday 12:30-11 PM, Sunday 1-10 PM

Want a festival chock full of good eats, but not interested in heading down the shore again?  Head north to Hoboken for the annual Italian Festival.  The Feast of the Madonna Dei Martiri features everything you'd expect from an Italian festival - namely, lots of good Italian food, crafters and vendors, singing and dancing, and an all-around good time.  Be sure to check out the fireworks Saturday evening - seeing them go off from Pier A Park with New York City at night as the background is an absolutely inspiring sight.

September's Harvest Garden at the Environmental Education Center; 190 Lord Sterling Road, Basking Ridge; 732-745-3936; Price: $6 per person; Saturday, 10:30-11:30 AM

Have a little one with a budding green thumb?  Head up to the Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge to learn all about organic gardening and the techniques used to grow some of our favorite fruits & veggies organically.  The best part of this program?  Why, tasting some of the best in "homegrown" Jersey produce of course!  Dress to get dirty, 'cause you'll be sure to be digging around as you learn all about organics.