TOMS RIVER, NJ, Sept. 27- This Friday brings the second installment of First Friday Toms River to the town’s central business district and with it a variety of activity for families, couples, and individuals of all ages ranging from free mum plants, to pumpkin painting and carving, to kids'
crafts and a street magician and other entertainment.

Each First Friday will have a seasonal theme to it. With the vibrant colors of fall upon us, the Toms River Business Improvement District (TRBID) will be enhancing the evening by giving a FREE mum to the first 100 ladies to stop by its information table located at Village Florist, 55 Main Street.
Maps and schedules for First Friday activities will also be available there.

Businesses and non-profit organizations will be offering special activities and pricing throughout the evening. Towards the west end of Water Street, near the Garden State Parkway, Erickson’s Custom Framing & Art will be providing pumpkin carving and painting demonstrations. At the other edge of the town’s center, Virginia Perle Art Gallery provides an artist demonstration of the ancient art of Marbleizing.

On Main street the Java Joint will feature live jazz music beginning at 7:00 p.m. Nick Hargrove, world renowned Americana illustrator, will show his technique on a work-in-progress in his gallery, as well as offering a 10% discount on evening purchases. The Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library will air Ghostbusters in the downtown branch and the Ocean County Historic Society will feature a display and presentation on one room schoolhouses. Modell’s and Stained Glass Gallery, by Route 37, will also have special activities.

There is much more to fill the evening, all of it free except meals in the restaurants. Parking continues to be FREE after 5:00 p.m., courtesy of the Dover Township Parking Authority. The TRBID will be offering First Friday Toms River the first Friday of every month. “This is Toms River’s hometown downtown,” explains Frank Capone, Chairman of the BID’s Board of Directors. “We want to help people to rediscover how to enjoy it.”

A schedule and map of all of the First Friday activities will be available at participating locations, and on the First Friday web page at www.DowntownTomsRiver.com. Look for upcoming First Fridays on November 5, December 3 and on January 7, 2005.

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First Friday Toms River highlights this weekend… First Friday Toms River, Oct. 1st, 2004

• Capone's Gourmet Pizza, 17 Washington St. ~ Toys for kids during dinner
• Christmas & Beyond, 320 W. Water St. ~ Visit the Dept. 56 Halloween Village
• Creative Journey’s School of Music & Art, 216 Main St. ~ Halloween craft and
  kids activities
• Erickson's Custom Framing & Art, 298 W. Water St. ~ Pumpkin carving &
  painting demo. 1 FREE per family, limited supply
• H. Hargrove Gallery, 43 Main St. ~ Refreshments. 10 % off purchase (eve.
  only) & free gift w/ purchase. Artist Demo.
• Java Joint, 17 Washington St. ~ Live Jazz music from 7 - 9 pm
• Living Water Yoga, 40 Robbins St. ~ “City of Hope” Walk registration and
  Free Yoga T-shirt to 1st 10 who register
• Modell’s Sporting Goods, 1 Rt. 37 East ~ Suit up for the NFL season – Mugs,
  jerseys and much more!
• Ocean County Historical Society, 26 Hadley Ave. ~ 5:00pm Museum opens. 7:00pm
  Exhibit “School Days: A History of One Room Schools in OC” & author review
• Philosophi, 44 Washington St. ~ New Fall arrivals… Diesel & Ben Sherman
• Pumpernickels Café, 69 Main St. ~ Kids toy with each dinner purchase
• Purpuri Shoes, 23 Main St. ~ Free in-store drawing for an evening purchase
• Slowly, 73 Main St. ~ Hostess providing personal invitations street-side
• Stained Glass Gallery, 809 Main St. ~ Crafts with Glass
• The Music Academy, 25 W. Water. St. ~ Open House and free music
• Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library, 101 Washington St. ~ Ghostbusters Movie
  screening 6:00pm
• Virginia Perle Art Gallery, 96 E. Water St. ~ Artist demo. On the ancient
  art of Marbleizing, customer participation
• Weigh To Live, 36 W. Water St. ~ Free blood pressure & body fat screenings,
  open house 5 - 7 pm
• WJRZ Oldies 100, 20 Water St. ~ Prize van, live music and door prizes