Need some help getting in the Halloween spirit?
Pay a visit to My Kitchen Witch, a Monmouth Beach restaurant known for its witchy decor and healthy, homestyle cooking.
Try eggs "Benewitch" with lemon artichoke spread and arugula, the Bewitchin' egg bowl with steak and black beans, the Wickedly Witchy French toast with cinnamon and powdered sugar,or one of the many other themed breakfast and lunch dishes.
Most of the restaurant's decorations were gifted by patrons, owner Karyn Jarmer said.
“We’re all a family here and I love when our customers call me ‘Witchipoo’ or ‘Witchy Woman,’ ” she said. “It’s cute and fun.”
My Kitchen Witch is open daily for breakfast and lunch at 29 Beach Road in Monmouth Beach. Call 732-229-3033 or visit mykitchenwitch.com.
If you're looking for more fun this Halloween weekend, check outthese other things to do at the Jersey Shore.
'Dancing in the Dark' at Bell Works
This Halloween, the children of the night don't just makemusic— they dance to it, too.
The Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater casts its spell at the theater in the Bell Works complex in Holmdel for "Dancing in the Dark," a dance production inspired by horror classics such as Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," Bram Stoker's "Dracula," Alfred Hitchco*ck's "The Birds" and the classic ballet "Giselle."
Directed and co-written by Gabriel Chajnik, "Dancing in the Dark" will be staged at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday,followed by a performance by theAxelrod Performing Arts Academy students, withmusic by the New Jersey Youth Symphony Orchestraconducted by Leo Soeda.
Tickets are $38. The Bell Works complex is at 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel. For tickets and more information, visitaxcbt.org.
Deadhead Halloween:Celebrate with New Grateful Dead set, Dead and Company live and more
'A Bronx Tale' at Axelrod
Richard H. Blake, one of the original stars of “A Bronx Tale, The Musical” on Broadway,is directing the show at Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal. The show opens Friday and runs through Nov. 14.
Chazz Palminteri wrote the musical, based on his own life, which tells the story of a bus driver in the racially charged 1960s who desperately tries to keep his 9-year-old son on the right path and away from the Mafia.
Sayreville nativeMichaelFerlita will star as Calogero, and Michael Keller ("Blue Bloods," "The Blacklist") plays Sonny. The show,described as a mix between “West Side Story” and “Jersey Boys,”features a score by Oscar and Tony winner Alan Menken.
Axelrod is at 100 Grant Ave. For more information, visit axelrodartscenter.com or call 732-531-9106.
Halloween fun at Red Valley Ranch in Millstone
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Red Valley Ranch in Millstone will be hosting a3 in 1 Fall Fun Adventure, which costs$5 a personand includes a hay ride, a visit to the pumpkin patch, and a scavenger hunt for hidden goodies around the farm.
The ranch is also offering Trick or Treat Trail Rides,which allows riders to Trick or Treat around the farm by horseback for $40, or $10 for those who wish to walk along the trail.
Admission to the ranch is $10and is required to enter. All other activities are an additional fee. Admission includes access to the petting zoo and picnic area. Payment is cash only.
Red Valley Ranch is at 25 Read Valley Road. To learn more or purchase tickets, visit www.redvalleyranch.comor call 609-575-6363.
Songs:Here are the Top 12 scariest Halloween songs of all time
All Hallow's Eve at AllaireState Park
The Historic Village at Allaire State Park in Wall will be hosting an authentic 1830s All Hallow's Eve Celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday (rain date isSunday).
Step back in time to see how villagers would have celebrated Halloween in the 19th century, featuring spooky story telling, turnip carving, fortune telling, soul cake baking and more.
The celebration also features judging the Allaire Scare Pumpkin Darepumpkin carving contest. Categories includemost original, scariest, cutest, funniest, most creative and fan favorite.
For all rules and contest entrance information, click here. Participation in the contest does not guarantee a ticket to the overall event, so for tickets and more information, click here.
The Historic Village at Allaire is inAllaire State Park at 4263 Atlantic Ave.
Color Run and Family Fun Festival in Barnegat
After COVID confusion, virtual/hybrid learning, and even being redistricted, students are finally getting the Color Run and Family Fun Festivalthey deserve.
On Thursday, the Barnegat Elementary Parent Teacher Associationwill host the festival under the new redistricted theme of “One Barnegat,” bringing all students together in one place for the first time since the pandemic and redistricting.
Opening at 8:30 a.m. at Brackman Middle School, the bell sounds at 10 a.m. for participants of the Color Run, who can pick a 1 mile or 5Kroute. Volunteers will use cornstarch to "color" the runners' white shirts, and after the run, everyone can take part in the Color Blastand DJ Dance Party.
There will be more than60 vendors, as well as crafters, community outreach programs, children’s activities, games and food trucks. Big Barlow’s BBQ, Matty G Dogz, Ron’s Lickety Split Ice Cream, MassRay Chicken and Debbie O’s Concessions will be there until the festival ends at3 p.m.
A cornhole tournament, which costs $20 per team to enter,is also planned.Pre-registration is available online.
Brackman Middle School is at 600 Barnegat Blvd.The PTA is still accepting vendors, volunteers and performers for the day and can be reached at BarnegatColorRun@gmail.com or barnegatpta.org/color-run.
Halloween Auto & Motorcycle show in Holmdel
From noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, the Middletown Lions Club is hosting The Last Hurrah Halloween Hullabaloo Auto & Motorcycle Showat the Texas Roadhouse in Holmdel (rain date isNov6).
All proceeds will benefit the club’s vision, hearing and health initiatives, including free vision screenings for children throughout Monmouth County, free eye exams and eyeglasses for those in financial need, and a free hearing aid program.
There will be live music by Walter Cooper of Soundz Unlimited.Admission is free,but donations are suggested. All makes and models of vehicles and motorcycles are welcome. The entrance fee for participants is $20 in advance or$25 the day of the event.
Texas Roadhouse is at 2105 Route 35 North in Holmdel.Information and vehicle registration forms are available by contacting Lori Anne Oliwa at LoriAnne@TheWriteAngles.com or by calling 732-337-8625. For more information on The Middletown Lions Club, visit mlions.org.
Gabriela L. Laracca recently joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com.
Alex Biese, Sarah Greisemer and Chris Jordan contributed to this story.
