News · Asbury Park, Holmdel, Keyport, Long Branch, Manasquan, Middletown, Red Bank, Shrewsbury Borough, Spring Lake Heights
The Weekend Ahead: Bewitched Keyport, the Red Bank Record Riot and Marcus Miller at the Basie
Halloween comes early in Keyport and Asbury Park, fall festivals fill Spring Lake Heights and Manasquan, a free bazaar takes over Convention Hall, Red Bank becomes an outdoor record store, and Marcus Miller plays the Vogel.
Good morning, Monmouth County. Halloween comes a week early this weekend. Keyport turns its waterfront over to Bewitched, Asbury Park has a trunk-or-treat Saturday morning, and Spring Lake Heights and Manasquan both throw fall festivals. Convention Hall's Grand Arcade fills with makers for the free Asbury Park Fall Bazaar, Red Bank's Mechanic Street becomes an outdoor record store on Sunday, and Marcus Miller plays the Vogel. Times below come from organizers' listings, so check the link before you head out.
Friday
- Mike Dawes, Red Bank, 8 p.m. The fingerstyle guitarist plays the Vogel at the Count Basie Center. The show was moved here from Feb. 6, and the original tickets are honored. Details
- Oliver!, Manasquan. Algonquin Arts Theatre opens the final weekend of its run of the Dickens musical tonight, with performances through Sunday. Showtimes
Saturday
- Bewitched Keyport, noon to 5 p.m. A free Halloween festival on the waterfront along American Legion Drive with crafts, live music and family activities. It returns Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Visit Keyport
- Spring Lake Heights Fall Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Local vendors and family activities at Joseph E. Robertson Park on Allaire Road, with an outdoor movie at 7 p.m. Borough details
- Halloween playdate and trunk-or-treat, Asbury Park. A Saturday morning of costumes and candy for little ones. Details from TAPinto
- Squantoberfest, Manasquan. Manasquan's fall street festival takes over Abe Voorhees Drive on Saturday. Organizer's post
- Kids Run the Town, Middletown, 1 to 4 p.m. A free afternoon for kids in the Community Room at the Middletown Township Public Library. Library listing
- Wharf House grand opening, Red Bank, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Red Bank's newest shop celebrates its opening at 9 Wharf Avenue with guest vendors. Details
- Fall beach sweep, Asbury Park, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Central Jersey Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers is recruiting volunteers to clean the beach, meeting at 878 Ocean Ave. North. Sign up
- United Out Loud, Asbury Park, noon to 6:30 p.m. Jersey Pride's afternoon at the Stone Pony. Tickets
- Super Sampling, Holmdel, 7 to 11 p.m. The Sarala Bathena Foundation's wine and spirits tasting benefit at Bell Works, with early VIP entry at 6. Tickets
- Emo Night Brooklyn, Asbury Park, 9 p.m. The late-night emo and pop-punk dance party comes to the Stone Pony. 21 and over. Stone Pony calendar
Sunday
- Red Bank Record Riot, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 50 tables of LPs, CDs and 45s set up outdoors on Mechanic Street, just off Broad. Admission is free. Details
- Fall Festival at The Asbury, Asbury Park, noon to 4 p.m. A family afternoon on the Baronet Rooftop. The $20 admission includes a pumpkin to decorate and a cookie. Tickets
- Marcus Miller, Red Bank, 7 p.m. The Grammy-winning bassist and composer at the Vogel. Details
- Melvin Seals and JGB, Asbury Park, 7 p.m. The longtime Jerry Garcia Band organist brings his band to the Stone Pony. Stone Pony calendar
All weekend
- Asbury Park Fall Bazaar, Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Local makers fill the historic Grand Arcade at Convention Hall. Admission is free, and families and dogs are welcome. Bazaar site
- More on the calendar. Library programs, trivia nights and shows are on the Monmouth County events calendar.
Around the county
- Belford ferry. The county has put NY Waterway on notice. Commissioner Director Thomas Arnone said the operator has 30 days starting Nov. 1 to meet all of its obligations, or the contract signed in September will be terminated. About 500 commuters have signed a petition asking for better service. News 12 New Jersey
- Long Branch parks. The city secured a $500,000 grant for upgrades at Manahassett Creek Park, including a new mini golf course. More local headlines
- New in Red Bank. Twin sisters have opened a new coffee shop in town. Business headlines
- Election Day is Nov. 3. Shrewsbury has three candidates for two council seats, and school board races are on ballots across the county. Check your polling place before you go. Election coverage
Have an event for next weekend? Submit it here. Coming up Monday: what Monmouth County's town councils and boards are deciding this week.