14 Events to Check Out this Weekend – Sept 25 – 28, 2014

Golden Door International Film Festival: September 25th – 28th

The Golden Door Film Festival was founded by actor Bill Sorvino on the dream of giving every filmmaker the opportunity or “Golden Door” to be on equal footing.  We are an elite festival but we are far from elitist! We believe that all selected films to our festival’s program, deserve equal treatment and so do the filmmakers, actor and crew behind them.  The name Golden Door Film Festival was derived from the poem by Emma Lazarus which adorns the base of the Statue of Liberty (in Jersey City waters!). The final line of that poem reads “I lift my lamp beside the golden door”.   Jersey City is that golden door and Ellis Island (also in Jersey City waters) served as the door to opportunity for several decades.

Set with the backdrop of the beautiful Manhattan skyline, this four day film festival holds the opportunity for filmmakers, actors and crew to network with colleagues and share their work with the public in the heart of the NYC indie filmmaking landscape. Screenings, after parties and gala celebrations all take place within some of the most beautiful local treasures Jersey City has to offer. Located immediately next to downtown Manhattan, Golden Door Film Festival is an indie filmmakers dream come true. The festival affords all filmmakers the opportunity to be on an equal plane; from the burgeouning helmer to the most well known actors and established directors and producers today.

Dates: September 25th – 28th, 2014. View Schedule HERE
Address: 31 Glenwood Ave Jersey City, NJ
Cost: $10+. View all options and purchase tickets HERE
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Sea Isle City Food Truck Fest – Sept 26-28

The Sea Isle City Food Truck Festival is a three-day festival in the popular “shoulder” season of Cape May County. It will take place on Sept. 26-28, on the property of Kix McNutley’s, 63rd and Landis Ave. in Sea Isle City. The property is home to a number of other popular events, including Sea Isle City’s Columbus Day Weekend Italian Festival and the Sea Isle City Craft Beer and Rock Fest. The event itself will feature up to a dozen food trucks, vendors, live entertainment, family fun, and more. The focus is to bring all of the hottest food trucks in the Tri-State Area., the best sweets along the Cape May seashore, along with the top crafts in food and cooking related products.

For more info follow them on Facebook and Twitter @Seaislecityfood

Dates: September 26th – 28th, 2014
Address: Kix McNutley’s, 63rd and Landis Ave. in Sea Isle City
Cost: Free admission
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New Heights Festival – Sept 26 – 28

All events are free admission – featuring live music, action sports and more. Surf, SUP & Wakeboard events Surf & SUP clinics, Yoga & Tai Chi on the beach, live music, freestyle BMX, and skateboard stunt shows, elite amateur boxing matches, vendor village, fireworks, and more.

Dates: September 26th – 28th, 2014
Address: 901 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights, NJ
Cost: Free Admission
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Beer on the Pier Festival in Belmar – Sept 27

What beats spending the afternoon sampling a wide array of the best craft beer from across New Jersey, the US and the globe, while enjoying the cool breezes and scenic vistas of the Shark River Inlet at Belmar Marina? The Second Annual Beer on the Pier festival will be help on Saturday, September 27th,2014 at the Belmar Marina; K Street Pier. The festival features over 40 labels (12 oz or more) with representatives on hand. Food provided by 9th Ave Pier.A great way to say goodbye to summer and support the Belmar Relief Fund.

Date: Saturday, September 27th, 2014; Two sessions: 12:30-3:30pm and 4:00-7:00pm
Address: Belmar Marina; K Street Pier, Belmar, NJ
Cost: $35 before Sept 26th, $40 at the Gate. $10 Designated Driver. Get Tickets HERE
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Capital City Food Truck Battle – Sept 27

All-star collection of the best food trucks in the Tristate area compete for the first ever CAPITAL CITY FOOD TRUCK BATTLE!  Competition will be fierce! Bragging rights will be earned! Stomachs will be filled! Locally designed and sourced trophy from the Trenton’s AbominOg Intl. Arts Collective www.abominog.org. Cash prize for the winner. Beer garden and wine bar located in the courtyard of Trenton Social. Trucks will be parked and served in the Trenton Social parking lot.

Date: Saturday, September 27, 2014; 11am – 7pm
Address: Trenton Social; 449 S Broad St, Trenton, New Jersey 08611
Cost: $5
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Hamilton Park BBQ Festival – Sept 27

Hamilton Park BBQ Festival is an Annual Event in September at Hamilton Square, Jersey City. Full of BBQ, vendors, live bands, fun and excitement, it is NOT to be missed!! Proceeds of the BBQ Festival support the Hamilton Park Conservancy!

Date: Saturday. September 27th, 2014; Noon to 8pm
Address: 232 Pavonia Ave, Jersey City, NJ
Cost: Free to attend
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Read Between  the Vines – Sept 27

Come and mingle with your favorite Adult/NA authors while enjoying tastings of wine! Join us September 27th, 2014 at 12 PM for one of the sassiest author events to hit New Jersey! Hosted by Ginger Sharp, the day will be filled with a book signing, wine tastings, giveaways, and more!  Must be 18 or older to mingle, 21 and over to drink. Ticket price includes wine tasting and buffet lunch. Glasses of wine are also available for purchase. This event will be held at Plagido’s Winery, in Hammonton, NJ. http://plagidoswinery.com

Date: Saturday, September 28th; Begins at Noon
Address: Plagido’s Winery; 570 N. First Road, Hammonton, NJ
Cost:$25 General Admission Tickets available until September 26th, 2014. $30 at the door day of show if not sold out
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Foodshed Alliance Wine and Food Festival – Sept 27 & 28

Sponsored by Alba Vineyard and Wegmans to benefit the Foodshed Alliance, the Garden State’s best wineries will join forces with the state’s premium wine wholesalers to pour their finest estate wines at the first annual Foodshed Alliance Wine and Food Festival at Alba Vineyard on September 27 and 28, 2014, from noon to 5 p.m..

The festival is the vineyard’s largest charitable event of the year with 100% of the proceeds going to the Foodshed Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening local food systems that nourish people, sustain farmers, respect lands, and build a resilient food economy.

In staying true to the Foodshed Alliance’s mission, the festival will feature:

• New Jersey’s most reputable chefs who will present cooking demonstrations, lectures and samples.
• Local celebrity cookbook authors as well as farmers will also share tips and strategies on how to best prepare, preserve and enjoy food locally produced in New Jersey.
• Tours of the vineyard will be ongoing throughout the even

Dates: Sept 27th & 28th, 2014; 12 to 5pm
Address: Alba Vineyard, Milford NJ
Cost: $25 in advance, $25 at door. Buy Tickets Here
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16th Annual Oktoberfest Weekend – Sept 27 & 28

Keeping with tradition, the Oktoberfest will focus on celebrating traditional music, native dress and a special Oktoberfest beer only available for a short time. Authentic German foods including bratwurst, German potato salad, sauerkraut and smoked pork chops will be offered along with tasty apple strudel, delicious beehive cake, authentic plum cake, and more. The weekend long event will offer non-stop entertainment. The Adler’s, a notable German Band will perform familiar German tunes and will be accompanied by spectacular dancers, bell ringers and water goblet musicians. Activities for kids will include Pony Rides, Rock Climbing Wall, Obstacle Course, Super Slide, and more. RAIN OR SHINE!

Dates: September 27th – 28th, 2014; Noon to 8pm
Address: Chubb Park; Rt. 24 W., Chester, NJ
Cost:  $6, 12 and under Free.
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Waterfront Wine and Food Festival – Sept 27 & 28

The festival will feature multiple tastings from nine wineries: Renault, Natali, Amalthea Cellars, Auburn Road Vineyards, Coda Rossa, Di Matteo Vineyard, Plagidos, Sharrot and Wagonhouse.

Dates: Sept 27th & 28th, 2014; Noon to 5pm
Address: Lake Lenape Park East; 753 Park Road, Mays Landing, New Jersey
Cost: $20 – $40. Buy Tickets Here
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Red Bank Guinness Oyster Festival– Sept 28

The Red Bank Guinness Oyster Festival is back on Sunday, September 28th (Rain Date Oct 5), 2014 from noon – 7pm. A huge family food and music festival featuring Red Bank’s top restaurants as well as entertainment with live music!    It will also be a family friendly event, with activities for the kids. Top bands performing on two stages with a mix of Irish music, blues, funk and rock and roll.  There will be tons of GUINNESS and fresh OYSTERS plus 25 of Red Bank’s favorite restaurants. The festival will be held in the White Street Parking Lot. The Red Bank Guinness Oyster Festival is a fundraiser for the Jane H. Booker Cancer Center at Riverview Medical Center, The Rutgers Cancer Institute of NJ, and Red Bank RiverCenter.

The after-party begins at 7PM at THE DUBLIN HOUSE, 30 Monmouth Street, adjacent to the festival site.

Date: September 28th, 2014; Noon to 7pm
Address: White Street Parking Lot, Red Bank, NJ
Cost: Admission is $5.00 for anyone over age 10.
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BBQ Showdown – Sept 28

Join the City of South Amboy and iRun New Jersey for the hottest BBQ festival in Central New Jersey. Previous food events at the Park have drawn thousands so plan to get there early! BBQ Showdown features the best Gourmet BBQ Food Vendors in the area with plenty of retail vendors, exhibitors, workshops and activities. There will be live music on stage all day, with the bands After the Reign, the Mark Miklos Band, Kentucky Rifles, AJ Jansen, and 11:56. The event is emceed by WCTC’s radio host, Bert Baron.  Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, families, friends and most of all, your appetites! Event is Rain or Shine!

Date: Sunday, September 28th, 2014; 10am to 5pm
Address: Raritan Bay Waterfront; Keenan Way, South Amboy, NJ
Cost: Free Admission
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Hoboken Fall Arts & Music Festival – Sept 28

Featuring over 300 artists, sculptors, photographers and local crafters, as well as local businesses, restaurants, food vendors and more. Plus 3 stages of live music and a special children’s section with rides, games, creative activities, face painting, sand art and more.  Rain or Shine.

Date: Sunday, September 28th, 2014, 11am to 6pm
Address: Between Observer Hwy. & 7th S, Washington St., Hoboken, NJ
Cost: Free Admission
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Harvest Home Festival – Sept 28

An old-fashioned country fair reminiscent of the 1890s. It takes visitors back in time when neighbors gathered to accomplish work, harvest, and spend time socializing and enjoying each other’s company. It calls not only for the exhibition of the best products that have been grown and the best needlework that has been done in the community, but also for games, athletic contests and similar features of recreational or educational value. Experience old-fashioned fun as it was a century ago with wagon rides, games and live entertainment. See craft demonstrations that will inspire you to start a new hobby or career. Enter one of many competitions ranging from needlework, baked goods to homegrown vegetables. Each person entering in a competition will have a chance to win a prize ribbon.

Date: Sunday, September 28th, 2014; 11am to 5pm
Address: Historic Longstreet Farm; 44 Longstreet Rd., Holmdel, NJ
Cost: Free to Attend