Weekend Events at the Jersey Shore

Here's what's happening this weekend (October 18th -20th, 2013) in Monmouth and Ocean Counties:

-- Terror in the Halls, a Zombie Apocalypse. This will give you a good Halloween scare! A virus outbreak during school. A quarantine attempt. Survivors abandoned. Zombies everywhere. Live actors are being used and some content may be too intense for younger viewers. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Friday and Saturday, 7:30 pm - 10 pm, at the H&M Potter School (60 Veeder Lane, Bayville). Admission $5 (non- refundable).

-- Jenkinson's Boo at the Boardwalk in Pt. Pleasant Beach. Halloween fun for everyone including trick or treating, a stilt walker, face painting, arts & crafts and more, so put on your best Halloween costume and join in the fun! The aquarium and gift shop, pavilion arcade and sweet shop will all be open, along with the boardwalk games. Saturday and Sunday (and again next weekend, too!) from Noon - 4 pm. For more info click here.

-- Pumpkin Toss at Jenks Club in Pt. Pleasant. It's time to squash the competition. It's Jenks' 4th Annual Pumpkin Toss this Saturday at 9 pm. The two big winners (Lady and Lord of the Gourd!) will win an iPad. No cover charge.

-- Clean Ocean Action's 28th Annual Beach Sweeps. Grab some work gloves and head to the beach Saturday morning to help clean up litter and debris. All volunteers are welcome at beaches up and down our shore. For more information, click here.

-- Haunted Halloween Hayrides at Allaire Village in Farmingdale. Venture into the woods starting at sunset this Friday and Saturday night (and again next weekend) for the hayride, along with hair-raising yet funny audience participation stories in one of the old buildings, ghost hunting and paranormal investigations, and fortune telling as you explore the spooky village where the hayrides end. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children under 12. 6 pm - 9:30 pm (but allow some extra time because the line gets long, even with tickets.) This is a good hayride for younger kids that don't want to get TOO scared. It's relatively mild compared to some of the crazy scary ones like Casola Farms. Hayrides leave every 15 minutes. Advanced ticket purchase is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. For more info and to purchase tickets, call 732-919-3500. Or for more details click here.

--Haunted Express Train Rides from the Pine Creek Railroad on the grounds of Allaire State Park. This event is completely separate from the Haunted Hayrides (see info above.) This is a super scary ride and walk through the woods that may not be suitable for younger children. And you cannot buy tickets in advance. You have to show up at the train ticket office to book your ride. Trains leave every half hour from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM.This Friday and Saturday nights (and again next weekend) Fare: $7.50 for anyone over the age of 3 years old. Visa, MasterCard, cash and checks are accepted. If you plan to do this AND the haunted hayride, make sure you allow enough time for the line at the hayride to get back for your time slot on the train ride. This is a great steam train scary ride and my boys love it. For more info, click here.

-- Red Bank CROP Hunger Walk, a food collection and walk that restocks local pantries with basic items (rice, beans, peanut butter). This is a 5-Mile Walk/Run to raise funds to fight hunger in Monmouth County. Food collection, music, banner/poster contest and fun family activities make it a great way to help those in need. Join your friends, family and neighbors and walk to end hunger one step at a time this Sunday. Registration is at 1 pm, walk starts at 2 pm. Click here for all the details.

-- The Jersey Shore Spooktacular, planned and presented by teen Girl Scouts. Takes place at Camp Sacajawea in Farmingdale. Entertainment for the whole family with some not-so-scary Halloween haunts, a hike through a haunted ghost walk, scary skits and storytellers,, a spooky hayride, a tombstone scavenger hunt, and dancing with the DJ. Saturday, Noon - 3 pm. Costumes are optional. Food will be available. For more info, click here.