Events and Happenings

Multi-day Events

Warm Hearts for Veterans

Now-Wednesday, Oct. 15

Wesley by the Bay’s Have a Heart Initiative is asking for donations of new men’s or women’s winter coats and jackets, socks, gloves, hats, hand or foot warmers, backpacks and gift certificates to McDonald’s, 7-Eleven, or Dunkin’. Donations can be dropped off at 2409 Bay Ave. in Ocean City now through Oct. 15. See https://a.co/cB8GxKb.

OCTC Presents ‘Ring of Fire’

Friday, Oct. 10-Sunday, Oct. 12

Ocean City Music Pier, 825 Boardwalk

Hear Johnny Cash’s iconic songbook come to life in a unique musical journey through love and faith, struggle and success, rowdiness and redemption and the healing power of home and family. Hear iconic hits such as “I Walk the Line” and “Folsom Prison Blues,” along with the title song “Ring of Fire” performed by a multi-talented cast that paints a musical portrait of The Man in Black. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 10 and 11, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12. Tickets are available at www.oceancitytheatrecompany.com.

Not So Scary Hayrides

Friday, Oct. 10 and Saturday, Oct. 11, 4-9 p.m.

Birch Grove Park, 1700 Burton Ave., Northfield

Join the City of Northfield Volunteer Fire Company for family-friendly hayrides at Birch Grove Park. Bring your friends, bundle up and enjoy a night of safe family fun under the fall sky. Rain date: Oct. 13.

Scullville Terror in the Junkyard

Friday and Saturday, Oct. 10-11, 7-10 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 13, 7-9 p.m.

Fleming’s Junkyard, 353 Zion Road, Egg Harbor Township

One of South Jersey’s most haunted attractions is open for the season. Terror in the Junkyard is back for another year of screams and frights. Opening night is this Friday. Hayride tickets are $15 each, or walk through the maze for $10. Combo tickets are $20; $2 discount for military and first responders. Purchase online and learn more at www.scullvillefire.org/hayride.

Smithville Irish Festival

Saturday, Oct. 11 and Sunday, Oct. 12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

615 E. Moss Mill Road, Smithville

Break out your green and head to Smithville Irish Festival this weekend. Enjoy live music, bagpipers, food trucks, craft vendors and plenty of kid’s activities. Raise a pint and indulge on authentic Irish dishes while enjoying a festive atmosphere and the shops of Historic Smithville. See www.smithvilleirishfestivalnj.org.

Ocean City Boardwalk and Downtown Merchant Discount Days

Saturday, Oct. 11 and Sunday, Oct. 12, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Asbury Ave. and Boardwalk

Select vendors in Ocean City will be offering amazing deals all weekend long. Shop and enjoy the vibrant Boardwalk and downtown Asbury Ave.

Saint Joseph’s Regional School

Super 50/50 Raffle Drawing

Now-Friday, Oct. 24

SJRS is hosting a Super 50/50 Raffle Drawing, where 10 lucky winners will win total cash prizes of $20,000, with one grand prize of $10,000. Only 400 tickets will be sold. The drawing date is Friday, Oct. 24 at the SJRS Fall Fest. Email culrich@sjrs.org or call Christine Ulrich at 609-457-4023 for more information.

Thursday, October 9

HEROtini Happy Hour at The Crab Trap

6-7:30 p.m.

2 Broadway, Somers Point

Join the HERO Campaign for mocktails at the Crab Trap. Enjoy free mocktail samples, raffle prizes and live music. Plus, attendees will have the chance to vote on their favorite mocktails and try the Crab Trap’s new Lavender Rosemary Spritzer. Be part of the mission, one sip at a time and support safe and sober driving. Admission is Free.

Friday, October 10

HEROtini Happy Hour in Atlantic City

5-7 p.m.

Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall, 133 S. Tennessee Ave.

Join the HERO Campaign for mocktails in Atlantic City. Enjoy free mocktail samples, raffle prizes and live music. Plus, attendees will have the chance to vote on their favorite mocktails and try the Beer Hall’s mocktail, The Sparkler. Be part of the mission, one sip at a time and support safe and sober driving. Admission is Free.

Fall Concert Series at Ocean City Library

6:30 p.m.

1735 Simpson Ave.

This week, the A to Z Band, featuring Mary Lou Newman and Len Pierro, reimagines the music of tenor saxophonists Al Cohn and Zoot Sims. This program will be held in the Chris Maloney Lecture Hall. The event is free and seating is first come, first served.

OCFAL October Reception

6-7:30 p.m.

711 Asbury Ave., Ocean City

Each month, the Ocean City Fine Arts League hosts a group show reception. This month’s theme is “Fall Beauty.” Stop by the gallery and see the work of the local artists this Friday evening.

Second Friday at Ocean City Arts Center

7-8:30 p.m.

1735 Simpson Ave., Ocean City

Join the Ocean City Arts Center this Friday for their monthly artist’s reception, featuring “Inspirations” by artist Gail Beckley.

Saturday, October 11

Ocean City Fall Block Party

9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Asbury Avenue, from Fifth and 14th streets

The Fall Block Party is this Saturday. Mark your calendars and join over 400 crafters, food vendors, music and more along Asbury Avenue. Visit www.oceancityvacation.com for more information.

Absecon Art in the Park

10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Heritage Park, 500 Mill Road

The Absecon Cultural Arts Alliance invites the public for a day of creativity and community at Heritage Park. The 11th Annual Art in the Park will bring together fine artists, craft vendors and families for a vibrant day of art, music, delicious food and fun activities. Bring your love of the arts and immerse yourself in the creative spirit of the community.

Egg Harbor City Fall Festival

3-6 p.m.

100 Block of Philadelphia Ave.

Join the Egg Harbor City Economic Development Corporation for their annual Fall Festival. Bring your friends and family for a day of live music, crafts and fall games. Plus, celebrate Halloween and take part in a costume contest. Activities will include pumpkin painting, pony rides, a corn maze and plenty of food trucks to fuel your appetite.

Sunday, October 12

Funny Farm Fall Festival

9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Funny Farm Rescue & Sanctuary, 6908 Railroad Blvd., Mays Landing

One of the largest and most anticipated outdoor events is back, featuring a wide variety of vendors, food trucks and fun activities for all ages, all in support of a great cause. Enjoy hayrides, face painting, music, dancing and much more. All donations go towards the feeding and care of over 700 rescue animals that call Funny Farm home.

*The Funny Farm Fall Festival is on Sunday, Oct. 12. Photo by Steffen Klenk*

Making Strides Against

Breast Cancer in OCNJ

10 a.m.

Ocean City Civic Center, Sixth St. and Boardwalk

Join over 5,000 walkers for the 18th annual OCNJ Making Strides, a celebration of courage and hope to end breast cancer as we know it, for everyone. The walk starts at 10 a.m. at the Civic Center. Learn more at www.makingstrideswalk.org/OceanCityNJ.

Spooks ‘N’ Kooks Costume Surf Contest

10 a.m.

Seventh St. Beach, Ocean City

This event is open to groms, adults and tandem riders. Sign-ups open at 10 a.m. Entry fee is a $20 gift card to ShopRite or ACME. All proceeds benefit the Ocean City Food Cupboard. If there are no waves, the contest will be held on Oct. 13.

Oddball Vintage Flea Market

12-4 p.m.

131 New Jersey Ave., Absecon

Join Oddball Vintage for an outdoor flea market featuring over 30 vendors, coffee, tarot card readings, face painting and collectables. This event is free to attend.

Scullville Trunk or Treat

12-2 p.m.

Fleming’s Junkyard, 353 Zion Road, Egg Harbor Township

The Scullville Ladies Auxiliary will host their annual Trunk or Treat on the grounds of Fleming’s Junkyard this Saturday. This fundraiser supports the Scullville Volunteer Fire Company and their mission to serve the community. This is a pre-sale event only. No tickets will be sold at the gate. For more information, visit www.scullvillefire.org.

Monday, October 13

Musical Connections

1 p.m.

Katz JCC Boardroom, 501 N. Jerome Ave., Margate

Feel the stress of the day peel away as you enjoy familiar tunes from various genres, including classical, contemporary and jazz and instrumentals with friends and neighbors. Whether a caregiver, cared for, or a community member, you are invited to attend. RSVP by Oct. 8 by contacting Tina Serota at 609-287-8872 or email tserota@jfsatlantic.org.

Tuesday, October 14

Cooking Class at the Longport Library

6:30 p.m.

2305 Atlantic Ave.

Join the Longport Library for a fun cooking class celebrating Oktoberfest. The event will be held at the Guild Hall. Registration is required in advance. Call the library at 609-487-7403 to register.

Family Game Night in Somers Point

7 p.m.

Somers Point Senior Center, 22 N. Ambler Road

Somers Point residents are welcome to Family Game Night this Tuesday. Bring your favorite board game and play with neighbors and friends in the community.

Presentation on the Jersey

Shore Storm of March 1962

7 p.m.

Upper Twp. Senior Center, 1369 Stagecoach Road, Ocean View

Join the Historical Preservation Society of Upper Township for their upcoming membership meeting this Tuesday. The meeting will include a program showcasing the Jersey Shore Storm of March 1962, presented by retired educator and author Joseph A. LaRosa Jr., Ed.D. Members and the public are welcome to attend. For more information, visit www.uppertwphistory.org.

Senior Dance Society

7:30-10 p.m.

Somers Point Fire Co. No. 1, 447 Bethel Road

Join in the fun and enjoy an evening of dancing with live musical duos every Tuesday. For more information, contact Sharon at kookiecar@yahoo.com.

Thursday, October 16

The Right Notes

7 p.m.

Greate Bay Country Club, 901 Mays Landing Road, Somers Point

Join South Jersey’s largest philanthropic wine tasting event featuring more than 100 top-scoring wines from around the world, craft beer and spirits, artisanal food, live music and amazing auction items to raise funds to end MS. General admission opens at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at https://bit.ly/therightnotes.

Friday, October 17

OCAC Fall Fundraiser

5:30-7:30 p.m.

Adelene’s at Port-O-Call Hotel

Join the Ocean City Arts Center in a Tribute to an Old Ocean City Tradition: Boardwalk Sketch Artists. The evening will include hors d’oeuvres and beverages, along with live portrait sketches by local artists Tim Smith and Tony Troy. Tickets and information are available by visiting www.oceancityartscenter.org or by calling 609-399-7628.

Health and Wellness

Coffee Talk

Saturdays, 11 a.m.

Atlantic Community Wellness Center, 1125 Atlantic Ave., Suite 617, Atlantic City

The Atlantic County Wellness Center hosts a weekly gratitude-themed group. During this one-hour meeting, participants discuss, enhance and deepen their practice of gratitude, which is shown to reduce stress, improve mood and increase optimism. For more information, call 609-652-3800 or email jgimbel@mhanj.org.

Monday Meditation and Stretching

Mondays, 11:30 a.m.

Mental Health Association in Atlantic County, 4 E. Jimmie Leeds Road, Galloway

Newcomers and people with all levels of experience in meditation are welcome. For more information, call 609-652-3800 or email jgimbel@mhanj.org.

NAMI Family Support and Connection Groups

Monday, Oct. 13, 7-8:30 p.m.

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 606 Shore Road, Somers Point

NAMI Family Support Group is a peer-led group for family members, caregivers and loved ones 18+ for individuals living with a mental illness. Connection is a recovery support group for adults living with a mental health condition. Visit www.namiacm.org or email info@namiacm.org for more information.

MHA Atlantic Family Meetings

Tuesday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m.

These virtual support groups and educational programs are for individuals with a loved one affected by mental health and/or substance use disorders. Contact Gail Christian at 609-652-3800, ext. 0301 or gchristian@mhanj.org to receive a meeting link.

Depression and Anxiety Group

Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m.

Atlantic Community Wellness Center, 1125 Atlantic Ave., Suite 617, Atlantic City

This weekly in-person support group is offered to individuals seeking coping strategies, mutual support, self-care, wellness and recovery. Meetings are led by peers who have lived experience. No cost to participate. Offered by the Mental Health Association in Atlantic County. For more information, call 609-652-3800 or email jgimbel@mhanj.org.

Dementia Support Group