Autumn offers plenty of fun at county parks

The Monmouth County Park System invites you and your family to visit your beautiful county parks to welcome the gorgeous beginnings of autumn. Planning ahead? The fall edition of the Park System Directory, which includes the complete lineup of recreational programs and events, is available at most county parks and at www.monmouthcountyparks.com.

• “What Is It?” exhibit, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 4-Dec. 31 at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold. Join the staff in exploring tools used two centuries ago for industrial, agricultural, and domestic activities at Historic Walnford.

• “I Know Acorns,” 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 4 and 5 at Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Georgia Tavern Road, Howell. Test your knowledge of acorns or bring your own to see what type of tree they come from.

• Jersey Shore Rose Society’s 39th annual Rose Show, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at Deep Cut Gardens, Red Hill Road, Middletown. Free garden and Rose Show tours will be available, as well as rosarians to answer questions.

• “Monarchs: The Royalty of the Butterfly World,” 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sept. 11 and 12 at Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center. See how butterflies travel throughout their multinational kingdom. Make a paper butterfly to keep.

• Blacksmith demonstration, 1-3 p.m. Sept. 12 at Historic Longstreet Farm, Longstreet Road, Holmdel. See what the blacksmith is making in his workshop.

• Music Man Rich Marzec, 1-3 p.m. Sept. 18 at Historic Longstreet Farm. Hear history come alive as Rich Marzec plays tunes from the turn of the century.

• “Turtles of New Jersey,” 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sept. 18 and 19 at Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center. Learn about the native turtles at the reservoir.

• Bonsai Day, noon-4 p.m. Sept. 19 at Deep Cut Gardens. Experience this ancient art through demonstrations and displays, with experts on hand to answer your questions.

• Cornbread contest, 1-3 p.m. Sept. 19 at Historic Walnford. Sweet or savory, put your homemade cornbread to the test. Experts and visitors will rate the entries.

• “Fiddler on the Porch,” 1-3 p.m. Sept. 19 at Historic Walnford. Celebrate autumn while listening to the fiddle tunes performed by Pete Brady.

• Great Fall Perennial Plant Swap, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 25 at Deep Cut Gardens. Swap perennials and houseplants. Bring home the same size and number of plants.

• “Whose Leaves Are Those?” 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Sept. 25 and 26 at Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center. It’s time for the leaves to change color and fall. Try to identify the trees.

• Harvest Home Festival, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 26 at Historic Longstreet Farm. Enjoy an old-fashioned country fair reminiscent of the 1890s.

To learn more about these activities, visit www.monmouthcountyparks.com or call the park system at 732-842-4000. For persons with hearing impairment, the TTY/TDD number is 711.