A Plethora Of Oct.Events In A C

It’s an Indian Summer Weekend in Ocean City, from Friday, October 5 through Monday, October 8, 2001. Hundreds of bubbles kick off the event in a Bubble Blast at 11 a.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier.

Throughout the weekend, vendors will display their wares in a Boardwalk sidewalk table sale, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Saturday, Sunday and Monday, visitors will be able to enjoy a Seafood Fest at the Music Pier with such delicacies as chowders, shrimp, clams, and more.

Events are free and open to the public. There will be a cost for food. For more information, call (609) 525-9300.

Get ready to shop at the biggest free party in town. As part of the Indian Summer Weekend, Ocean City opens its mile-long block party and juried craft show known as the Ocean City Fall Block Party on Saturday, October 6, 2001, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Boogie to the sounds of the Alligator Zydeco Band, as you cruise the tables of painted glass and furniture, ceramics, wearable art, fine art and more. See clothes that are tailor made for Barbie, unusual stained glass windows and mirrors, jewelry made from gold coins, and an assortment of items for Halloween and Christmas. Enjoy the youth group glee club singers on 8th Street. Sample foods from 25 different vendors. Revel in the sounds of an authentic German "Oompah" Band, or relax to the music of Tidal Wave, Tony DeLuca on the keyboard and Dick Sierota on the electric guitar. There will also be free pony rides and a petting zoo for the children.

This is the 18th annual fall block party, started by Mark Soifer and sponsored by the Ocean City Retail Merchants Association. There is free parking at the Transportation Center and the Ocean City Airport (26th & Bay) and at Shelter Road. Free bus transportation will be provided from those locations to the block party, starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 6 p.m.

For more information, call (609) 525-9300.

Indulge your artistic side at the Atlantic City Art Center where exhibits of local artists will be displayed throughout October, which is Arts and Humanities Month.

Atlantic City native Carol Byard is exhibiting her drawings, book illustrations and sculptures. Byard has won Coretta Scott King awards and The Caldecott Medal for her book illustrations. She was a National Endowment for the Arts fellow in 1994 and exhibits and lectures widely.

E.B. Lewis, a Folsom resident and a Philadelphia native, is exhibiting his paintings from the books he has illustrated. Currently teaching at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Lewis is also a Coretta Scott King and Caldecott Medal winner.

Also on exhibit is a traveling show from The Newark Museum and the UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History. It includes kente cloth from Ghana, a loom for weaving the cloth and several photos and artifacts from the Newark Community. During its five month stay at the Art Center, much of the Newark material will be replaced by photos and artifacts collected throughout Atlantic City and the region, including those collected by students in area schools.

A public opening reception will be held on Sunday, October 7, from 1 to 3 p.m. Artists will be introduced at 2 p.m.

The Atlantic City Art Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for major holidays. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call (609) 347-5837.

It’s your opportunity to Go Wild! at the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, October 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Refuge’s Go Wild! event commemorates "National Wildlife Refuge Week."

The Go Wild! event starts at 9 a.m. with an Eco-Trail Walk. Birding van tours are given at 10 a.m., Noon and 2 p.m. Reservations are encouraged due to limited space. At 10 a.m., the video "Secrets of the Saltmarsh" will be shown. At 11 a.m., there will be both a nature walk to Gull Pond and a presentation on Bluebirds and Purple Martins. At 1 p.m., the video "The Lorax" will be shown and at 2 p.m., there will be a puppet show. The last formal activity of the day is a nature walk at 3 p.m.

The Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge is a tract of federal land that encompasses over 20,000 acres of wetlands and forest. There is an eight mile driving loop for nature observation,

which can also be walked or biked, and two short hiking trails. It is a good area in which to look for bald eagles, waterfowl, snow geese, and owls.

Whether you love to cook, or love to eat, there’s something for you at the Gourmet Food & Gift Show, at the Atlantic City Convention Center, Friday, October 26 through Sunday, October 28, 2001. This show features the best in food, wines and beer, and unique specialty gifts, as well as celebrity chef visits and demonstrations.

Browse hundreds of exhibits featuring such wares as kitchen cabinets, appliances, cutlery, crystal, cookware, cookbooks, spices, sauces, gourmet gifts, and more. Meet internationally known Chef Paul Prudhomme and Chef Tell and see creative cooking demonstrations from these prominent chefs and others. Watch World Ice Carving Champion and former Olympic Bronze Medal winner Vivat Hong Pong.

Over 25 area restaurants will provide food samples and there will be large microbrew and wine tasting pavilions. Visitors may rest in an indoor park, complete with fountain, lit by the warm glow of gas streetlights. A cocktail lounge with live music will be set up in the park as well.

Admission is $11 for adults and $6.50 for children aged 12 to 17. Children under 12 are free. Hours are 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, October 26; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 27; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 28. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call (609) 441-1046 or visit www.gourmetshows.com.

It’s spooky fun at the Haunted Seaport, Tuckerton’s tribute to Halloween, on Saturday, October 27, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. That night the Tuckerton Seaport comes alive with spirits who will haunt the Seaport’s waterways and woods.

Visitors will be invited to stroll along the pitch-black boardwalk in search of the Jersey Devil or pirates long lost at sea. They will encounter ghosts and other spirits along this hair-raising journey.

The Haunted Seaport is not recommended for children under six years old. Younger children are encouraged to visit the Pumpkin Patch located on the lowest level of the Yacht Club, where activities and refreshments will be provided.

Admission is $3 per person. Reservations are not required. For more information, call (609) 296-8868.

With these events and 12 spectacular casino resorts, headline entertainment, a wide choice of dining, and new attractions and amenities, Atlantic City is ideal for an October escape. Once you sample the area's non-stop casino action and the variety of cultural, educational and historic events, you'll be back for more. It's easy to plan a good time in "America's Favorite Playground" throughout the year.

Article continues below

---

advertisement

---