Dinosaurs come to Freehold and more things to do this weekend at the Jersey Shore
Jurassic Park has come to the Shore with the Dino Safari Festival.
This prehistoric wonderland comes to Freehold Raceway Mall from Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 5. Visitors will encounter life-sized animated dinosaurs towering nearly 50 feet, cretaceous volcanic caverns and enchanting illumination.
Dino Safari originally launched in Atlantic City, and was recently in Rockaway. Attractions include:
Oviraptor Express, which a release says is "a wonderful way for visitors to become immersed in the light art experience, while traveling through the park for an additional cost per ride."
Dinosaur Speedway ride, "where families and friends can experience the thrill of racing around a prehistoric track for an additional $5 per ride."
Prehistorical Animal Light Arts, showcasing ancient creatures brought to life through "intricately designed light sculptures that are illuminated and crafted to provide a glimpse into a forgotten era."
Dino Paradise Bounce Castle, a 260-feet Bounce Castle for kids, for an additional $18 (no play time restricted).
In October, Dino Safari Freehold will have Halloween decor, including a large-scale light art display where enormous dinosaurs take on a ghostly glow.
Dino Safari runs daily during from 4 to 10 p.m. Weekday tickets start at $23, Saturday and Sunday tickets start at $27, free for children 3 and younger. Tickets are only available online.
Go: LuminoCity Dino Safari Festival, Freehold Raceway Mall, 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday to Nov. 5, ; luminocityfestival.com.
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QFest in Asbury Park
After a six-year hiatus, QFest LGBTQ Film & Digital Media Festival is back this weekend, showing 20 films from the U.S. and around the globe.
The festival kicks off Friday at the Showroom Cinema in Asbury Park with an opening reception, an animated short about a transgender pirate, and a documentary about legendary author and activist Urvashi Vaid, who died in 2022.
The festival will continue with additional screenings, along with a Meet the Filmmaker brunch and awards ceremony, on Saturday and Sunday at QSpot LGBTQ Community Center in Asbury Park.
“We're thrilled to once-again be hosting QFest, the first annual LGBTQ film festival in New Jersey," said Nick Romei, QFest Festival Director. "QFest provides one of only a handful of outlets where LGBTQ filmmakers from our state and around the world can show their work in a safe, welcoming and supportive environment. We're so proud to be able to invite the community back to QFest to watch LGBTQ movies together again.”
This year’s festival highlights LGBTQ artists and individuals addressing an onslaught of anti-LGBTQ legislation, rising hate crimes, drug addiction and dating in the age of hook-up apps. Of particular note are two documentaries about extraordinary working professionals and the profound consequences they suffer as a result of living their truths in Russia and Iran.
QFest is produced by QSpot, one of the largest LGBTQ community centers in the state. Tickets start at $10. A three-day pass is available for $50.
Go: QFest LGBTQ Film & Digital Media Festival, Friday to Sunday, ShowRoom Cinema, 707 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park, and QSpot, 1601 Asbury Ave., Asbury Park. For tickets and a complete listing of this year’s films and screening schedule, visit QFestNJ.org.
Grown in Monmouth Restaurant Week
Summer may be over, but locally grown produce is still on the menu at Shore restaurants.
Grown in Monmouth, an initiative designed to preserve and grow the county’s agriculture industry, is hosting Restaurant Week Friday through Saturday, Sept. 30. Participating restaurants are required to feature at least one dish made with ingredients grown in Monmouth County.
Nineteen restaurants are taking part, including The GOAT by David Burke in Union Beach, which will cook with mushrooms from Two River Mushroom in Millstone Township; Apple Street Kitchen in Tinton Falls, which will highlight produce from its own organic garden; and Amici Gelato & Caffe in Asbury Park, which will feature honey from Honeysuckle Nectary in Howell.
Go: Grown in Monmouth Restaurant Week, Friday to Sept. 30 at restaurants across Monmouth County; growninmonmouth.com.
Halloween costume swap in Monmouth County
Upcycle gently used costumes for kids, adults or pets for a spooktacular new-to-you ensemble during the Monmouth County Park System’s Eek-O-Fabulous Costume Swap.
Drop off a costume and receive a token entitling you to a “new” costume on the day of the swap. Costume drop-offs will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday to Friday, Sept. 29, at Huber Woods Environmental Center, 25 Brown's Dock Road, Middletown; Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, 311 Windeler Road, Howell; and Thompson Park Visitor Center, 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft.
“New” costumes can then be selected during the swap from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center in Aberdeen.
Almost due or have a newborn? No token required for baby’s costume. Costumes are only available during the swap date and time. Unused tokens may be used at next year’s swap.
Go: Eek-O-Fabulous Costume Swap; 732-872-2670, MonmouthCountyParks.com.
Kids Boo Fest at Six Flags
On Saturday and Sunday, Kids Boo Fest runs from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson.
Boo Fest features trick-or-treating in Cornstalk National Park for kids 12 and younger; a live show called "Witch's Brew"; "The Hunt for Boo" journey through the woods; a kid-friendly haunted house; and wagon rides.
Kids also can ride the park's coasters and other attractions. Boo Fest runs weekends through Sunday, Oct. 29.
Go: Kids Boo Fest, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. weekends through Oct. 29, Six Flags Great Adventure, 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson; sixflags.com/greatadventure/events/kids-boo-fest-2023.
MAC Music Cafe in Middletown
The Middletown Arts Center presents the monthly MAC Music Cafe, an afternoon of live music, from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
This month’s singer-songwriter showcase features local talent Patrick Bamburak, Rick Dill, Gwynne Alden and Frank Patrouch. The concert will take place in the MAC theater.
The event is free with a suggested donation of $5.
Free parking is available onsite, with additional free parking available in the station-metered lot.
Go: MAC Music Cafe, 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church St., free; 732-706-4110, middletownarts.org.
Harvest Home Festival in Holmdel
The Monmouth County Park System will host its Harvest Home Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday at Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel.
Reminiscent of an old-fashioned fair from the 1890s, the event features wagon rides, old-fashioned games, live entertainment and craft demonstrations.
Other activities include cider making, a pie-eating contest and a timber framing activity. Visitors are invited to enter its Home & Garden Competition. Categories include needlework, baked goods and art. Call 732-946-3758 for details on entering the competition.
Go: Harvest Home Festival, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Historic Longstreet Farm, 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel; 732-842-4000, MonmouthCountyParks.com.
Save someone in need in Asbury Park
The Monmouth Ocean Omega Foundation presents the Be the Match Bone Marrow Drive Health Initiative Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at St. Stephen AME Zion Church in Asbury Park.
Bone marrow transplants can treat more than 75 conditions, including cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, and diseases like aplastic anemia and sickle cell disease.
Signing up to join the bone marrow donation registry involves a simple cheek swab.
A year membership to Planet Fitness will be given away during the health fair.
You also can learn more about bone marrow donation and send away for a registration kit at bethematch.org.
Go: Bone marrow drive and health fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, St. Stephen AME Zion Church, 1001 Springwood Ave., Asbury Park.
Margate Fall Funfest by the Bay
More than 110 booths featuring food, arts, crafts, kid's activities and more make up the Margate Fall Funfest, taking place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
There will be 10 live bands on the WZXL 100.7 Main Stage, 12 acts on the 95.1 WAYV Kid’s Stage, Ray Scott’s Dock Wetlands Wonderland, and two days of parades featuring Miss New Jersey. There's also the Saturday Cornhole Tournament and the popular Steve and Cookie’s Dog Show on Sunday.
Funfest After Dark, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, features wine and spirits tasting, small bites, and the band NJ British Invasion. Tickets are $20 advance, $25 on Saturday.
Free jitney shuttle service is available all along Ventnor and Amherst avenues, and from the parking lot at the Eugene Tighe School, 7804 Amherst Ave. Look for the Free Funfest Jitney sign in the jitney window, or download the Jitney Surfer app.
Go: Margate Fall Funfest by the Bay, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Amherst Avenue. Funfest After Dark runs 7:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday; https://margatehasmore.com/event/fall-funfest-2023/.
Ilana Keller and Sarah Griesemer contributed to this story.
Have an event coming up at the Jersey Shore? Tell us about it. Email Bill Canacci at bcanacci@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore things to do: Dino Safari Fest opens at Freehold mall
