West Orange Patch: Halloween Events, Fun Pumpkin Patch Stuff – West Orange, NJ Patch

ESSEX COUNTY — Got Halloween fever? Need a trip to the nearest pumpkin patch, asap? Here is a list of some places in the Essex County area where you can get your fix this fall.

HALLOWEEN PET COSTUME PARADE

Essex County will hold its annual, free “Strutt Your Mutt” Halloween costume parade and contest in Brookdale, Branch Brook and Grover Cleveland parks for 2020. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there will be some tweaks to the popular event, officials said. Learn more here.

Events are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Brookdale Dog Park on Grove Street in Montclair at 9:30 a.m., and at Branch Brook Park near Heller Parkway in Newark at 1 p.m.

Another parade will take place on Sunday, Oct. 25 at Grover Cleveland Park on Brookside Avenue in Caldwell/Essex Fells at 11 a.m.

Fairfield – Fairfield Farms & Greenhouses opened on Sept. 19 with pumpkin picking, hayrides, a corn maze, a “pumpkin slingshot” and other “in the field” activities. Its farm market sells other decorative items that may be useful for Halloween, such as mums, cornstalks and bales of straw. It’s located at 177 Big Piece Road in Fairfield. Contact them at 973-227-1011. Learn more here.

Roseland – The Essex County Environmental Center at 621-B Eagle Rock Avenue in Roseland will be holding a Fall Fun Maze & Pumpkin Pick-Up on the following Fridays and Saturdays: Oct. 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24. The events are open to children of all ages, and will feature a hay bale maze, sugar pumpkin giveaway and a take-away craft bag that includes pumpkin decorating materials. Book a time slot by calling 973-228-8776, or learn more here.

PUMPKIN PURCHASING

Caldwell – The Caldwell Farmer Market at 423 Bloomfield Avenue has pumpkins and several types of gourds, fall squash, field-picked tomatoes and corn. It’s open Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 9 to 3 p.m. All costumers must wear a mask and distance themselves at least six feet from other customers. Learn more here or call 973-885-2190.

Cedar Grove – The Cedar Grove Garden Center stocks several “fall necessities,” including pumpkins. Learn more here, or call 973-256-1950.

PUMPKIN PAINTING

Belleville – The Belleville Public Library will hold Outdoor Pumpkin Painting on Oct. 23 from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will take place outdoors on Academy Street. Spaces are limited and registration is required. Call 973-450-3434 or learn more here.

Nutley – The Nutley Public Library will hold a pumpkin painting event for cardholders only on Saturday, Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Children can reserve a personal painting kit and pumpkin to pick up and decorate at home. Learn more here.

Verona – A pumpkin painting event will take place for families on Saturday, Oct. 31 outside the Civic Center in Verona. Verona families are invited to register for a 1-hour time slot to decorate a pumpkin with a ghoulish design. Pumpkins and paint will be provided, but please bring your own brushes. Costumes are welcomed. Masks are required and visitors should practice social distancing. Learn more here or register here. NOTE: Registration for this program was full as of Oct. 7.

West Orange – Kids ages 4+ are invited to participate in a “fun, free and safe” pop-up outdoor activity full of pumpkin decorating and other fun fall crafts this Sat., Oct. 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Turtle Back Park Zoo, 142 Walker Road in West Orange. Space is limited. Call or email ASAP to reserve a spot. Provide your child’s name, age and the time that you’ll be stopping by to 201-618-7444 or nexgened2020@gmail.com. Masks must be worn. Social distancing will be adhered to. The event is being hosted by Nex Gen Learning Solutions, a company at 253 Main Street in West Orange.

Know about any other Halloween events or fun stuff involving pumpkins? Let us know about it in the comments section!

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