More than 250 artisans will bring their latest creations to the Garden State Exhibit Center.
WITH A TO-DO LIST that likely includes updating your fall wardrobe, picking up new plates for festive dinners and getting started on holiday shopping, it's time to visit the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival.
For three days, beginning today, more than 250 artisans will bring their latest creations to the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset. Shoppers can find offerings in sculpture, glass, jewelry, fashion, wood, leather, metal, furniture, home accessories, photography and fine art. There also will be artist demonstrations, including iron forging, copper spinning and wheel-thrown pottery.
Festival hours are today and Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is $8 online and $10 at the door (good for all three days); and free for children younger than 12. Free parking. The exhibit center is located at 50 Atrium Drive, Somerset. Call (800) 210-9900 or visit sugarloafcrafts.com.
GAME ON!
Celebrate your geeky side Oct. 24 at the South Jersey Geekfest Fall 2015.
Gamers, comic book nerds, TV enthusiasts and card collectors come together for tabletop games, music, video games, open board games and more, including comics, art, toys and vendors at Woodbury Heights Community Center. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Outside there will be a geeky car show, cosplay kickball and Smash Brothers Wrestling, plus the Great Geeky Pumpkin Patch for kids.
An adult pass is $8; children 12 and younger attend free, one child per paying adult; cosplay pass is $5; food drive pass is $5, with nonperishable food items. The community center is located at 741 Helen Ave., Woodbury Heights. Visit sjgeekfest.com.
AND MORE ...
• Things get down and dirty Oct. 24 as Pro Wrestling Syndicate Live comes to the Rahway Rec Center in Rahway. The action begins at 8 p.m. and is headlined by a match between former WWE World Champion Rob Van Dam and former WWE star John Hennigan. There will be appearances by wrestling legends Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, Raven and "The Genius" Lanny Poffo. The rec center is located at 275 East Milton Ave. General admission is $30. Call (732) 669-3600 or visit bedofnailz.com.
• It may no longer be summertime, but tunes from "Porgy and Bess" are guaranteed to delight on Oct. 24 when Thibaudet Plays Gershwin comes to the the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank. Soloist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, on piano, joins the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra for an 8 p.m. show that features selections from George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein. The theater is located at 99 Monmouth St. Tickets are $20 to $75. Call (800) 255-3476 or visit njsymphony.org.
• Costumed canines compete Oct. 24 in the Strut Your Mutt: Pet Costume Parade. The event will be held in two locations: Brookdale Dog Park, on Grove Street, Montclair, with registration at 9:15 a.m. and the parade at 10 a.m.; and South Mountain Dog Park, on Crest Drive, Maplewood/Millburn, with registration at 1:15 p.m. and the parade at 2 p.m. Free to enter. Rain date is Oct. 25. Call (973) 268-3500 or visit essexcountynj.org.
• Can't get enough of Fido and friends? Then don't miss Woofapawlooza on Oct. 25 at the Gleyburn Estate in Riverdale. Crafters, vendors, food, entertainment and more will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pooches (with their people) are welcome. The fundraiser benefits Gentle Giants Inc., a Wayne dog rescue that specializes in giant-breed dogs. The estate is located at 211 Hamburg Turnpike. Visit gentlegiantsinc.org.
MORE FROM INSIDE JERSEY MAGAZINE
Follow Inside Jersey on Twitter. Find Inside Jersey on Facebook and Google+