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Aperol Spritz Bar at La Dolce Vita!!

Aperol Spritz Bar at La Dolce Vita!!

Pre-Independence Day Fun | New Restaurants | Monmouth County Lifeguards

June 29, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 15 minutes

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Good morning, Monmouth County! We have a full lineup of Independence Day fun before we even get to July 4th. The ocean is warm and the weather looks solid. So what’s not to be excited about? We hope you have a great week going into the holiday. Have fun and stay safe!

Let’s do this!

~ Amanda & Rob

TODAY’S BUZZ 🐝

📰 Monmouth County Lifeguards

🎆 Pre-Independence Day Fun

🍹Aperol Spritz Bar at La Dolce Vita

🍝 Il Leone in Matawan

🎥 Jersey Shore Film Festival

🎸 Ryan Adams and Todd Rundgren @ Count Basie

⚾️ Blue Claws vs Wilmington

🌊 Ocean Temp/Tides

🛟 MONMOUTH COUNTY LIFEGUARDS

Back in May the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners officially recognized lifeguards as first responders and emergency response providers. However symbolic, this resolution represents an important acknowledgement of the demands placed on open water lifeguards and the incredible responsibility they have keeping beach patrons safe.

Monmouth County is home to 17 beaches with 26 miles of coastline. Protecting the beach-going public during the summer season requires hundreds of lifeguards who need to be in top physical condition, obviously strong ocean swimmers, and have the courage to put themselves at risk conducting rescues in the unpredictable ocean environment. After getting hired they undergo a rigorous multi-week training program where they further prove their aptitude and learn critical skills. Many of those training programs, including the Monmouth County Regional Lifeguard Academy, just wrapped this past week, sending a fresh class of lifesavers to our beaches. And we are lucky to have them.

We think Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone said it best; “Our lifeguards are true lifesavers on those beaches. Open water lifeguards play a vital role in protecting countless lives from serious injury or death, often at great risk to their own safety.”

Thank you, lifeguards! The summer wouldn’t be safe without you.

🥳 FAMILY FUN

🇺🇸 4th of July 🧨

Fireworks | 7/1 5pm-10pm | Veterans Memorial Park (Aberdeen)

Fireman's Fair | 7/1-7/5 6pm | Municipal Marina (Atl. Highlands)

4th of July Crafts & Storytime | 7/1 10am-4pm | Monmouth Museum (Lincroft)

4th of July Celebration | 7/2 6pm-10:30pm | Joe Palaia Park (Ocean)

Fireworks | 7/2 9:30pm | Joe Palaia Park (Ocean)

4th of July Parade, Beach Concert, & Fireworks | 7/3 5:15pm-10pm | Beachfront (Manasquan)

Independence Day Concert and Fireworks | 7/3 5:30pm-10pm | Freehold Raceway (Freehold)

Fireworks | 7/3 5:30pm | Beach Pavilion (Sea Bright)

Independence Day Celebration | 7/3 6pm | Bucks Mill Park (Colts Neck)

Independence Day Fireworks | 7/3 6pm | Veterans Park (Hazlet)

Fireworks | 7/3 9pm | Boardwalk (Asbury Park)

Fireworks | 7/3 Dusk | Keansburg Amusement Park (Keansburg)

Fireworks | 7/3 9:45pm | Municipal Marina (Atl. Highlands)

🎪 OTHER FAMILY FUN

Beginner Braiding Class | 6/30 11am-2pm | Salon Mini (Howell)

Seining Along Sandy Hook Bay | 6/30 & 7/2 11am-12pm | Bayshore Waterfront Park (Port Monmouth)

Free Kids Karate | 7/1 10am-11am | BroadWalk (Red Bank)

Seining Along Fisherman's Cove | 7/1 11am-12pm | Fisherman's Cove Conservation Area (Manasquan)

Ponytail Perfection Workshop | 7/1 11am-2pm | Salon Mini (Howell)

Family Movie Night: A Minecraft Movie | 7/1 6:15pm-8:15pm | Middletown Public Library (Middletown)

Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir | 7/2 2pm, 3pm, 4pm | Manasquan Reservoir (Howell)

Color Our World with Magic | 7/2 4pm-4:45pm | Ocean Twp. Library (Ocean)

Movies on the Beach: Shrek | 7/2 8pm | 7th Ave. Beach (Belmar)

Movies by the Pool: The Sandlot | 7/2 8pm | Middletown Sports Complex (Middletown)

WILD Jersey Presents Colored Sand Painting | 7/2 4pm-4:45pm | Howell Library (Howell)

Movie Night: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom | 7/2 8:30pm-10pm | Hall of Records (Freehold)

Learn to Play Steel Drums | 7/3 3:30pm-4pm | Atlantic Highlands Library (Atl. Highlands)

Union Beach Centennial Celebration | 7/3 4pm | Front Street (Union Beach)

Personally, we’ve had a couple pretty terrible experiences with some of the bigger name plumbing companies. When we found A-General, it was like a gift. They’re local (Farmingdale) and family-owned, so you’re dealing with really nice, fair people. But they’re also big enough for 24/7 emergency response so you can count on them for literally anything. Every experience with A-General has been A+!!

📍 LOCAL EVENTS

Cornhole Tournament Featuring Screamin Hill Beer | 6/30 6pm | Vesuvio's Pizza & Nick's Place (Millstone)

Swing Dancing | 7/1 6pm-8pm | 5th Ave. Gazebo (Bradley Beach)

Family Fun Day-Car Show-Craft Fair | 7/1 4pm-8pm | Patterson Family Farm (Freehold)

Movie on the Beach: Jaws | 7/2 8:45pm | Ideal Beach (N. Middletown)

Bourbon & Boots Line Dancing | 7/3 7pm-11pm | TEAK (Red Bank)

Fireworks Cruise | 7/3 7:30pm | Classic Boat Rides (Atl. Highlands)

🍔🍹 FOOD & DRINK

NEW SPOTS!

🍹 Aperol Spritz Bar at La Dolce Vita (Belmar) - Have you seen this? It’s definitely been making the social media rounds since it opened but we wanted to draw your attention to it too because we think it’s so much fun. La Dolce Vita opened their new patio this season with a focus on the Aperol Spritz, a refreshing classic Italian cocktail known for its bright orange hue and bittersweet taste. The space is a super chill outdoor hangout right on Ocean Ave. If you want a little Sicily in your life but a transatlantic flight seems excessive, we highly recommend it. And as if the Aperol Spritz wasn’t reason enough to stop by, their regular menu is also excellent!

🍝 Il Leone (Matawan) - They opened up back in January but the Buzz on this new Italian spot has been pretty serious. The food, the service, the vibe, and even the reasonable prices are getting rave reviews. In New Jersey, Italian food isn’t exactly hard to come by; so when someone separates themselves from a pretty crowded field we definitely take notice and we’re going to let you know about it.

Bell Works Fresh Farmers Market | 7/2 11am-4pm | Bell Works (Holmdel)

Farm & Artisan Market | 7/2 1pm-6pm | 1097 Ocean Ave. (Sea Bright)

West End Farmers Market | 7/3 9am-3pm | West End Park (Long Branch)

Ocean Grove Farm Stand | 7/3 10am-2pm | Pilgrim Pathway/Main Ave. (Ocean Grove)

🎨 ART, HISTORY, EDUCATION

Friends Of Old Time/Charlie Jam | 7/1 6:30pm-9pm | Oakley Farm Museum (Freehold)

Treasures of the Sea by Kathleen Foley | 7/1-8/1 9am-9pm | Shrewsbury Library (Shrewsbury)

Tuesday Night Record Club | 7/1 7:30pm | The Great Hall Auditorium/Virtual (Monmouth U.)

Tour of the Great Auditorium | 7/1-7/3 12:30pm-2pm | The Hub (Ocean Grove)

Antique American Flag Display | 7/3 11am-4pm | The Historic Village at Allaire (Wall)

Life in a Freshwater Pond | 7/3 11am-12pm | Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center (Aberdeen)

🎭️ THEATER, CINEMA, & COMEDY

JSFF: Smile For The Dead | 7/2 4pm | Count Basie Center Cinemas (Red Bank)

JSFF: Shorts Program: Sparklers | 7/2 7:30pm | Count Basie Center Cinemas (Red Bank)

Murder, Magic, & Mead: A Fantasy Taver Murder Mystery Comedy | 7/3 7pm-9pm | Jersey Shore Arts Center (Ocean Grove)

🎸 LIVE MUSIC 🥁

Opera By The Sea | 6/30 6pm-8pm | 5th Ave. Gazebo (Bradley Beach)

String Bean & The Boardwalk Social Club | 6/30 7pm-10pm | Low Dive (Asbury Park)

Ryan Adams: Heartbreaker | 6/30 8pm | Count Basie: HMH Theater (Red Bank)

AM Gold Yacht Rock | 6/30 7pm-8pm | Carousel Stage (Long Branch)

Asbury Park Concert Band | 7/1 7pm | 5th Ave. Pavilion Rooftop (Asbury Park)

Rumours ATL | 7/2 7pm | Stone Pony (Asbury Park)

Summer Jazz Series | 7/2 7pm-9pm | Riley Park (Bradley Beach)

Todd Rundgren: Still Me | 7/2 7:30pm | Count Basie: HMH Theater (Red Bank)

Bryan Hansen Band - Jarod Clemens | 7/2 7pm-10pm | 1st Ave. Green (Asbury Park)

Neighbors: Starring James Maddock & Gordon Brown | 7/2 7:30pm-10:30pm | Palmetto on the AP Boardwalk (Asbury Park)

Thursdays by the Sea: Jo & the Highland Express | 7/3 7pm-8:30pm | Pier Village (Long Branch)

July Concert Series: Little Jimmy and the Starlites | 7/3 6pm-9pm | Keyport Minipark (Keyport)

Weekend Supervision (DJ Party) & Fireworks | 7/3 6pm | Baronet Rooftop (Asbury Park)

No Surrender: The Ultimate Springsteen Tribute | 7/3 7pm | House of Independents (Asbury Park)

Rich Boland | 7/3 7pm-9pm | Gazebo (Freehold)

Army Band | 7/3 6pm-8pm | Riley Park (Bradley Beach)

Springwood Band | 7/3 6pm-8pm | Veterans Park (Highlands)

⚾️ SPORTS & FITNESS 🏃‍♂️

Free Yoga Class | 7/1 5:30pm-6pm | Broad St./Monmouth Ave. (Red Bank)

Early Bird Swim Workout | 6/30-7/4 7am-10am | Fort Monmouth Rec. Area (Tinton Falls)

Open Pool | 6/30-7/4 2pm-8pm | Fort Monmouth Rec. Area (Tinton Falls)

Hops & HIIT | 6/30 6pm-7pm | Tall Oaks Brewery (Farmingdale)

Blue Claws vs Wilmington | 7/1 6:35pm | Shoretown Ballpark (Lakewood)

Blue Claws vs Wilmington | 7/2 6:35pm | Shoretown Ballpark (Lakewood)

Blue Claws vs Wilmington - Fireworks | 7/3 7:05pm | Shoretown Ballpark (Lakewood)

Teen Beach Volleyball | 7/1 5:30pm-6:30pm | Ideal Beach (N. Middletown)

Adult Beach Volleyball | 7/1 6:30pm-8:30pm | Ideal Beach (N. Middletown)

Adult Basketball | 7/2 7pm-9pm | Croydon Hall (Leonardo)

Quality Is Our Legacy

🌊 ☀️ BEACH

Asbury Park - Ocean Temp. 69°F

Mon 6/30: Low 5:45am | High 12:45pm | Low 5:54pm | Sunrise 5:30am | Sunset 8:30pm

❤️ Thank You!

Thanks for reading MONMOUTH BUZZ 🐝 today! If you enjoyed it please share it with someone who also loves Monmouth County and fun. If you know of anything BUZZworthy please let us know. You can DM us on Facebook or Instagram or email us at [email protected]

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We hope you have an amazing day!