Weekend Planner: Animal Shelter Fall Festival, Chariot Riders Horse Show and Italian Festival

1. The Fall Festival at the Northern Ocean County Animal Facility, 615 Freemont Ave., Jackson, runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. A Halloween costume contest for pets will be held and a speaker will talk about Pitt Bull myths. As always, guests are invited to meet dogs and cats available for adoption. Call 732-657-8086 for additional information.

2. The Ocean County Italian Festival in Seaside Heights begins at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday on Grant Avenue. Foods, arts and crafts, and entertainment will be on-hand. Admission is free. More information is available by calling 732-477-6507.

3. , a nonprofit horse therapy center with its Ocean County site in Manchester, 3170 Chariot Court, will host its Fall Barn Horse Show at 9 a.m. Sunday. Call 732-657-2710 for more information.

4. A Columbus Day Parade will be held on Sunday, starting from Seaside Park at 1 p.m. and ending in Seaside Heights near the Breakwater Beach waterpark. More information is available by calling 732-477-6507.

5. "Aesop's Fables" will be staged at the Strand Center for the Arts, 400 Clifton Ave., Lakewood, at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets for the puppet performance can be purchased online or by calling 732-367-7789.