Your NJ Weekend September 17-18: Surfing Nuns, Clowns, Dinosaurs and Apples, mostly FREE!

9/15/11 - By Shari Simpson

Yes, you read that right: surfing nuns. I know you're intrigued, so read on to find out about those ladies of the cloth and their saintly surfboards. If you'd prefer non-religious sports, try wending your way through the corn maze at Terhune Orchards on Apple Day. Or if you're looking for a good old fair, there are country fairs, folk fairs and a clown hoopla to choose from. And remember, the first official day of fall is next week, so enjoy your last weekend of summer!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Apple Day (Princeton)

It’s the 34th Annual Apple Day at Terhune Orchards (well, it’s two days of apples, actually) so join your friends and neighbors for fun, activities, and music for the harvest season. You can do an electric slide with the Daisy Jug Band, make a scarecrow, find your way through a Corn Stalk Maze and feast on fresh apple pies, juicy roast pork, BBQ chicken, homemade salads, fresh apple cider and apple cider donuts. Saturday, September 17 and Sunday, September 18 from 10am to 5pm. Admission is $5.00 (children under 3 are free). Call 609-924-2310 for more information.

Grand Opening of Dinosaurium at Garden State Discovery Museum (Cherry Hill)

What kid (okay, what boy) doesn’t love dinosaurs? Garden State Discovery Museum is unveilng their brand new 2000 square foot exhibit dedicated exclusively to dinosaur exploration and discovery. Climb and slide in the giant 3-story Climb-a-saurus structure. Unearth giant dinosaur bones in the dig site. Prepare fossils in the laboratory. Give a mighty roar in the Roaring Room. Seriously, this is boy heaven. Admission to museum $10.95. Call (856) 424-1233 for more information.

Clownfest (Seaside Heights)

The clowns are back for their 30th year in a row, because really, who doesn’t need more red noses in their lives? A whole weekend of slapstick comedy and colorful clown creations and for the love of all that is holy, do not miss the Big Clown Parade on Sunday at 2pm. This is a two-day extravaganza, Saturday, 9:30am to 9pm and Sunday, 10am to 3pm. FREE.

Union County Fair (Clark)

This festival runs for five days with musical guests like Blondie and Collective Soul, but the traveling jubilee, Kids Kingdom, takes place on Saturday, September 17 and Sunday, September 18 and the Fair's offical "Family Day" is Sunday. A full-scale carnival, children's activities such as a petting zoo, bounce house, face painting and the always-necessary windsocks, and an all-New Jersey performing artists roster of musical talent. For more information, email ucmusicfest@gmail.com. FREE.

1920s Country Fair and Harvest Festival (Morristown)

An old-fashioned country fair at Fosterfield's Living Historical Farm, with wagon rides, music, crafts, farm animals, and exhibits. Saturday, September 18 from noon to 5pm. $8 for adults, $7 for seniors (65+), $6 for children ages 4-16 and $4 for children ages 2 and 3. FREE for children under age 2.

Annual Nun’s Beach Surf Invitational (Stone Harbor)

How this event came about is a long story, but suffice it to say that yes, this is real, and yes, this is the 16th Annual one. A surfing competition that raises money for the Villa Maria by the Sea retreat house on 110th Street Beach. Do the nuns actually surf? Your guess is as good as mine. Saturday, September 17.  Call 609-368-5290 for more information.

Rapunzel at Mercer County Community College (West Windsor)

The Kelsey Theater's Kid Series kicks off with our favorite long-locks lady as interpreted by the award-winning Rhode Island touring Kaleidoscope Theater. Saturday, September 17 at 2pm and 4pm. Tickets are $10 for all ages and may be purchased by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333

Asbury Park Blues Festival

The Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Festival finishes up with the third installment on Saturday, September 17 from 11am to 8pm. A great musical lineup with the likes of The Incinerators and Stringbean, There will be a beer and wine garden for Mom and Dad, so coolers are forbidden. And don't forget your lawn chair. FREE. For more information, call 732-933-1984.