Asbury Park Zombie Walk
The city of Asbury Park is overrun by ‘zombies’ as they make their way down Cookman Avenue
Doug Hood, Asbury Park Press
Need some help getting in the Halloween spirit?
Pay a visit to My Kitchen Witch, a Monmouth Beach restaurant known for its witchy decor and healthy, homestyle cooking.
Try eggs “Benewitch” with lemon artichoke spread and arugula, the Bewitchin’ egg bowl with steak and black beans, the Wickedly Witchy French toast with cinnamon and powdered sugar, or one of the many other themed breakfast and lunch dishes.
Most of the restaurant’s decorations were gifted by patrons, owner Karyn Jarmer said.
“We’re all a family here and I love when our customers call me ‘Witchipoo’ or ‘Witchy Woman,’ ” she said. “It’s cute and fun.”
My Kitchen Witch is open daily for breakfast and lunch at 29 Beach Road in Monmouth Beach. Call 732-229-3033 or visit mykitchenwitch.com.
If you’re looking for more fun this Halloween weekend, check out these other things to do at the Jersey Shore.
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‘Dancing in the Dark’ at Bell Works
This Halloween, the children of the night don’t just make music — they dance to it, too.
The Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater casts its spell at the theater in the Bell Works complex in Holmdel for “Dancing in the Dark,” a dance production inspired by horror classics such as Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” and the classic ballet “Giselle.”
Directed and co-written by Gabriel Chajnik, “Dancing in the Dark” will be staged at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday, followed by a performance by the Axelrod Performing Arts Academy students, with music by the New Jersey Youth Symphony Orchestra conducted by Leo Soeda.
Tickets are $38. The Bell Works complex is at 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel. For tickets and more information, visit axcbt.org.
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‘A Bronx Tale’ at Axelrod
Richard H. Blake, one of the original stars of “A Bronx Tale, The Musical” on Broadway, is directing the show at Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal. The show opens Friday and runs through Nov. 14.
Chazz Palminteri wrote the musical, based on his own life, which tells the story of a bus driver in the racially charged 1960s who desperately tries to keep his 9-year-old son on the right path and away from the Mafia.
Sayreville native Michael Ferlita will star as Calogero, and Michael Keller (“Blue Bloods,” “The Blacklist”) plays Sonny. The show, described as a mix between “West Side Story” and “Jersey Boys,” features a score by Oscar and Tony winner Alan Menken.
Axelrod is at 100 Grant Ave. For more information, visit axelrodartscenter.com or call 732-531-9106.
Halloween fun at Red Valley Ranch in Millstone
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Red Valley Ranch in Millstone will be hosting a 3 in 1 Fall Fun Adventure, which costs $5 a person and includes a hay ride, a visit to the pumpkin patch, and a scavenger hunt for hidden goodies around the farm.
The ranch is also offering Trick or Treat Trail Rides, which allows riders to Trick or Treat around the farm by horseback for $40, or $10 for those who wish to walk along the trail.
Admission to the ranch is $10 and is required to enter. All other activities are an additional fee. Admission includes access to the petting zoo and picnic area. Payment is cash only.
Red Valley Ranch is at 25 Read Valley Road. To learn more or purchase tickets, visit www.redvalleyranch.com or call 609-575-6363.
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All Hallow’s Eve at Allaire State Park
The Historic Village at Allaire State Park in Wall will be hosting an authentic 1830s All Hallow’s Eve Celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday (rain date is Sunday).
Step back in time to see how villagers would have celebrated Halloween in the 19th century, featuring spooky story telling, turnip carving, fortune telling, soul cake baking and more.
The celebration also features judging the Allaire Scare Pumpkin Dare pumpkin carving contest. Categories include most original, scariest, cutest, funniest, most creative and fan favorite.
For all rules and contest entrance information, click here. Participation in the contest does not guarantee a ticket to the overall event, so for tickets and more information, click here.
The Historic Village at Allaire is in Allaire State Park at 4263 Atlantic Ave.
Color Run and Family Fun Festival in Barnegat
After COVID confusion, virtual/hybrid learning, and even being redistricted, students are finally getting the Color Run and Family Fun Festival they deserve.
On Thursday, the Barnegat Elementary Parent Teacher Association will host the festival under the new redistricted theme of “One Barnegat,” bringing all students together in one place for the first time since the pandemic and redistricting.
Opening at 8:30 a.m. at Brackman Middle School, the bell sounds at 10 a.m. for participants of the Color Run, who can pick a 1 mile or 5K route. Volunteers will use cornstarch to “color” the runners’ white shirts, and after the run, everyone can take part in the Color Blast and DJ Dance Party.
There will be more than 60 vendors, as well as crafters, community outreach programs, children’s activities, games and food trucks. Big Barlow’s BBQ, Matty G Dogz, Ron’s Lickety Split Ice Cream, MassRay Chicken and Debbie O’s Concessions will be there until the festival ends at 3 p.m.
A cornhole tournament, which costs $20 per team to enter, is also planned. Pre-registration is available online.
Brackman Middle School is at 600 Barnegat Blvd. The PTA is still accepting vendors, volunteers and performers for the day and can be reached at [email protected] or barnegatpta.org/color-run.
Halloween Auto & Motorcycle show in Holmdel
From noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, the Middletown Lions Club is hosting The Last Hurrah Halloween Hullabaloo Auto & Motorcycle Show at the Texas Roadhouse in Holmdel (rain date is Nov 6).
All proceeds will benefit the club’s vision, hearing and health initiatives, including free vision screenings for children throughout Monmouth County, free eye exams and eyeglasses for those in financial need, and a free hearing aid program.
There will be live music by Walter Cooper of Soundz Unlimited. Admission is free, but donations are suggested. All makes and models of vehicles and motorcycles are welcome. The entrance fee for participants is $20 in advance or $25 the day of the event.
Texas Roadhouse is at 2105 Route 35 North in Holmdel. Information and vehicle registration forms are available by contacting Lori Anne Oliwa at [email protected] or by calling 732-337-8625. For more information on The Middletown Lions Club, visit mlions.org.
Gabriela L. Laracca recently joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to [email protected].
Alex Biese, Sarah Greisemer and Chris Jordan contributed to this story.
