The Small-Town Harvest Festival In New Jersey Belongs On Your Autumn Bucket List

Ah, fall. The perfect time for heading outdoors and enjoying the bounty of the season. There's no better way to celebrate the change of seasons than a festival - and there's no festival that sums up the season better than Oktoberfest. Sure, it may be a little more boisterous than your average harvest festival, but you're still guaranteed to enjoy local goods, fresh treats like hot cider, and a joyous celebration of the season. Oktoberfest is at its strongest in German-American strongholds in the midwest, but no one ever said we in New Jersey don't know how to throw a party! Oktoberfest in Highlands, New Jersey is the state's top celebration, and it's back for its 22nd annual event this year. It'll be held in Veterans Park on October 7th from 12 PM to 7 PM, and it's going to be one heck of a party!

Highlands, NJ is one of the best small towns in New Jersey - often called one of the northern tips of the Jersey Shore.

It's also home to New Jersey's best Oktoberfest celebration, returning for its 22nd straight year this October 7th.

The core of this festival is an old-fashioned street fair, showing. off the bounty of the area and letting local vendors and craftsmen ply their wares.

Of course, it wouldn't be a fair without some of the classic fall treats we've all come to love, like hot apple cider.

But unlike your average street fair, there's a true old-world flair to some of the offering here, featuring German food booths and pickle carts.

You can also find small-batch craft booths, like this woodworker showing off what must be a year's worth of work in one place.

The fair is also home to an old-fashioned Steinholding competition - a test of will that involves holding a full stein of beer aloft for as long as possible. Who will be this year's champ?

If you're looking for a more filling meal, many local restaurants like Bahrs Landing usually offer special Oktoberfest menus featuring German classics like schnitzel and sauerbraten.

Have you attended Oktoberfest in Highlands, New Jersey in past years? Tell us all about your visit to this exciting fall festival in the comments section! The Highland, NJ website has all the details on this year's event, and the Highlands Business Partnership Facebook page will give you up-to-the-minute details. If you're still hungry after all that fair food, Highlands just opened a unique new restaurant near Sandy Hook. Looking for a place to sleep off all that Oktoberfest fun? Check into the nearby BeachWalk at Sea Bright.