Stafford Recreation

09/04/2026

Summer may be almost over, but things are just getting fired up for a fantastic Fall for kids!

https://www.staffordnj.gov/220/Recreation

09/03/2026

Save the date and get ready for the 19th Annual Fall Harvest & Wine Festival in the heart of downtown Manahawkin, October 10 & 11.

Join us for a full weekend of Fall fun spanning two parks!

Manahawkin Lake Park will host the Fall Harvest Festival and our wine festival will take place on the grounds of historic Heritage Park with the Old Stone Store and Manahawkin Train Station museums open both days.

Wineries featured by New Jersey Wine and Beer Events at Heritage Park both days are:

Angelico Winery
Chestnut Run Farm
DiMatteo Vineyards
Plagido’s Winery
Terra Nonno Winery
Valenzano Winery
Villari Vineyards
Wagonhouse Winery

Each site will also feature entertainment, food and craft vendors.

Saturday October 10 features such favorites as the Halloween parade, scarecrow making, pumpkin patch, craft vendors, food trucks, beer garden and entertainment by Chevy Lopez & Josh Werner.

Sunday October 12 features the craft fair, beer garden and food vendors and entertainment by The Chris Fritz Band, Allison Stella Music & Lovelight Band.

Follow the link below for details on some fantastic Fall fun and a link to get your tickets to the wine festival before they sell out (wine tickets are limited).

Don’t forget, shuttle bus service will be offered from the Municipal Complex parking lot, 260 E. Bay Avenue to the festival on both days.

Single side of the street parking will be enforced in the downtown neighborhoods.

https://www.staffordnj.gov/410/Fall-Harvest-Wine-Festival

08/31/2026

What an amazing turnout for our final summer concert of the 2026 season! We are here until 8:30pm, come on out and enjoy some great music with friends to close out our summer concert series ☀️

08/31/2026

And just like that… it’s the final Monday night concert in Stafford and we’re sending summer off in style!

We kick off early with Hooked on Fishing, our Pop-Up Market & Classic Car Show.

The 23rd Annual Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs will take place on Monday August 31 at Manahawkin Lake Park starting at 4:30 pm.

The final pop-up market begins a little early tonight at 4:30 pm and concludes at dusk. Our wide variety of vendors will offer everything from Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh cut flowers, kettle corn, baked goods, sourdough, handmade items and so much more! There will also be tastings from Manafirkin Brewery and Cream Ridge Winery.

This evening also features the 5th Annual Donny Cranmer Memorial Car Show benefitting the Stafford PBA & Recreation Holiday Toy Drive at 5 pm.

Then at 6:30 pm MUSHMOUTH hits the stage at Manahawkin Lake Park on Monday for a free summer night of music under the summer sky and sunsets over the lake.

Mushmouth effortlessly delivers flawless renditions of all the top hit songs. With a lively and entertaining stage presence, Mushmouth takes the audience on a journey through the biggest hits, one-hit wonders, and hidden gems from the 70's, 80's, 90's, and beyond!

Of course, none of this would be possible without the continued generosity of our Sponsors. These community partners selflessly made Mondays in Manahawkin infinitely better for all of this summer.

A special thank you to our platinum sponsor… Village Imaging!

Heartfelt gratitude goes out to our other sponsors this season...Beach Haven NJ Moose Lodge 1575 ( Manahawkin ), Cedar Bridge Landscape Supply, Genesis Southern Ocean Center, High Bar Benefits, Lucilles Luncheonette - Country Cooking, Manasquan Bank, The Residence at Stafford - Manahawkin, NJ, Reynolds Garden Shop & Floral Market, Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard and Walters!

So...bring your blankets, beach chairs, coolers, friends and family one last time to enjoy an evening of fun with the best sunsets in town. We have a feeling tonight is going to be an epic way to close out this summer!

Stafford Historical Society

https://www.facebook.com/share/18GEqirJC4/

08/28/2026

08/27/2026

Calling all photogs, collectors and anyone with lots of photos in their phones or an old album in the attic with pictures from around town!

The time has come again to begin selecting photos for the 2027 Stafford Township Municipal Calendar.

The only rule is they have to be in Stafford Township of Stafford Township. Remember that even if you have treasured historic photos, we can scan them and they can be returned to you immediately.

If you have photos you would like considered for next year, please email them to [email protected] and use the subject line: Stafford Calendar 2027.

Your photo may even be chosen for the cover!

08/27/2026

Of course, a boat sank. There’s a prize for it, after all. On Aug. 4, the Stafford Township Recreation Department welcomed a small but hearty bunch of sailors as they set out to conquer Manahawkin Lake in nothing but cardboard and duct tape during the 19th annual Cardboard Boat Regatta, part of th...

08/26/2026

Last call to register for the Town Wide Yard Sale!
There is still time to clean out, declutter and sell, sell, sell!
Click on the link below for registration forms and more details.

Complete the Registration Form and Mail to:
Stafford Recreation
260 East Bay Ave
Manahawkin, NJ 08050

or Email all information from the form to: [email protected]

**NO TELEPHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR REGISTRATION**
Deadline for registration is Friday, August 28th
NO PERMIT IS NECESSARY TO JOIN THIS YARD SALE

Click on the link below for further details and the registration form...
https://www.staffordnj.gov/409/Town-Wide-Yard-Sale See less

08/25/2026

An exciting new program announcement…

Cooking for kids is back at the Jennings Road Recreation Center, along with a special Saturday program for Thanksgiving at the Bay Avenue Community Center!

Stafford Recreation and CHEF IT UP!! present: Cooking Fun For Kids!

Parent & Me Cooking Class
Ages: 2 ½ - 6 years
Location: Jennings Road Recreation Center Thursdays: Sept 17, Sept 24, Oct 1, Oct 8
Times: 11:00 AM -12:00 NOON
Price: 4-week program: $85 for 1child +1adult
A fun hands-on cooking experience where little chefs and grown-ups cook, create, and enjoy quality time! Each week features a new kid­ friendly recipe like homemade pumpkin bread, parfaits and cupcake decorating.

Thanksgiving Apple Pie Workshop
Ages: K - 3
Location: Bay Avenue Community Center Date: Saturday, November 21
Times: 10:00 AM -11:30 AM OR 12:00 NOON -1:30 PM
Price: $35 per person
Each Junior Chef prepares their own full-size apple pie from scratch, learning to make filling and crust! Take home your delicious pie to bake for the Thanksgiving table.

*Peanut & Tree Nut free, food allergy friendly*

Click on either link below to register directly with Chef It Up...

https://www.chefitupkids.com/cooking-classes-ocean-county.html -stafford

https://www.staffordnj.gov/836/Chef-It-Up-Kids-Cooking