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Health & Fitness

Stafford Twp. Fall Harvest Festival to Feature Wine Tasting

7th Annual Fall Harvest Festival in Stafford Twp. will features loads of fun for the entire family, including a two day wine tasting event.

The Stafford Township Recreation Department is pleased to announce the 7th annual Fall Harvest Festival will take place October 19th at Manhawkin Lake Park, Manahawkin. The Fall Harvest Festival is a full day of free entertainment, fun family events, food and vendors. It runs from 11:00 am to 5 pm; rain date is Oct. 20th.

The Festival features hayrides, crafters, a Halloween parade, scarecrow making, live entertainment, a jalapeno eating contest, pumpkin carving contest, a pumpkin patch and a costume contest. The costume contest will be held at 12 noon. At dusk, they will hold a bonfire and family movie in the park. All the events are free, but the Recreation Department is helping support local food pantries; "admission" for the hayride is a nonperishable food item that will benefit the pantries.

For the second year, the Township is pleased to host a two day wine festival as part of the Fall Harvest event. The wine festival will run Oct. 19th & 20th and features wine tasting by New Jersey wineries, along with food, crafters, vendors, and live music. Festival goers are also encouraged to bring lawn chairs or a blanket to sit and enjoy the live bands lined up for the event. According to Recreation Director Betti Anne McVey “the Fall Harvest Festival is a highly anticipated event and we are always looking for things to add, so we were really excited to add the wine festival to this event last year.” She continued “many residents have been asking about it for 2013, so we are really pleased to be hosting it again.” Wine festival admission is $12 in advance or $15 at the gate for adults 21 years and older. Those under 21 years of age or designated drivers are free. Discounted advance tickets can be purchased by visiting https://staffordwinefestival.eventbrite.com.  The Stafford Township Fall Harvest Wine Festival is sponsored by WJRZ 100.1.

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The wine festival will offering sampling from some of New Jersey’s leading wineries; participants include Cava Winery, Monroeville Vineyard & Winery, Southwind Vineyard, Tomasello Winery, Unionville Vineyards, and Valenzano Winery. Dozens of varieties of wines will be available for sampling; each paid admission includes a commemorative wine glass to use for the tasting and  guests can purchase favorites by the bottle or case during the event.

The Saturday stage will feature the popular Motts Creek Pickers. The band plays a wide range of American favorites with an alternative edge; everything from classic rock to country. Motts Creek Pickers will play from 12 noon to 5:00 pm.

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Taking the stage on Sunday is “The Funktion”, performing from 12 noon to 5:00 pm. A popular New Jersey band playing music from all eras and genres, each member adds a different style to the group and musical talent. They often perform throughout New Jersey exuding high energy and fun.

For more information about the Stafford Township Fall Harvest Festival, call the Recreation Department at 609-489-0910.  For more information on the wine festival call Allen Consulting at 732-946-2711. 

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