You can start this weekend off on a good foot at the first ever North Jersey Komen Race for the Cure (www.komennorthjersey.org), Sunday at Branch Brook Park in Newark, to benefit breast cancer research. You can register on the website, or beginning at 7 a.m. on race day at the park. There’s a 5K run/walk and the 1.5 mile Fun Walk. NJ My Way is a media sponsor of this event. Make sure you wave to our cameras!

If we stretch our definition of “weekend,” we have another place to do good while having fun. Monday at 6 p.m. at Birchwood Manor in Whippany you can taste fine wines and dishes prepared by more than 40 chefs from some of New Jersey’s top restaurants. It’s the Taste of the Nation (www.njdiningguide.net/TasteofTheNation) benefit, proceeds going to fight childhood hunger in New Jersey. To buy tickets call (973) 772-4474.

There are festivals at both ends of the state. The Cape May Spring Festival continues its second and final weekend with Victoriana tours, a crafts show at the Emlen Physick Estate, and dinner specials around town. Details at www.capemaymac.org.

Meanwhile on Sunday it’s the Hoboken Spring Arts & Music Festival (www.myspace.com/hobokenculturalaffairs). More than 300 painters, sculptors, photographers craftspeople, food vendors and musicians, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m on Washington Street by 7th Street. Headliner is Micky Dolenz of The Monkees.

Or do a day in the country. Valley Shepherd Creamery (www.valleyshepherd.com) in Long Valley is having its annual spring shearing festival Saturday, with crafts, food, music and cheeses from the sheep who give their wool. Also Saturday, in Princeton, Terhune Orchards (www.terhuneorchards.com) has a spring festival with kite flying, music, tractor rides and food including and Terhune’s own apples, cider, donuts, pies, chili, fresh and grilled asparagus.

Maybe a day of gardening? Find rare and heirloom plants at Van Vleck House & Gardens (www.vanvleck.org) in Montclair, and at Morven Museum and Garden (www.historicmorven.org) in Princeton. Both sales are Saturday.

Finalmente, get a jump on Cinco de Mayo at Morristown’s Mayo Center for the Arts (www.mayoarts.org), at the Sunday performance by Calpulli Mexican Dance Company.

Plenty of choices this weekend; enjoy the dance, savor the outdoors, eat — and run for a good cause.