🥘 Belmar Dine & Discover!!

St. Pat's Parade Weekend | Andrew Dice Clay & Jon Lovitz | Joe Bonamassa at Count Basie

March 05, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 25 minutes

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Good morning Monmouth County! It’s St. Pat’s parade weekend with Asbury Park and Rumson each hosting their own as well as an abundance of Irish festivities for everyone. But in addition to all the Gaelic goings-on, this weekend is pretty packed with a full battery of fun all across County Monmouth.

Sláinte!!

~ Amanda & Rob

Today’s Buzz 🐝 

🛠️ Brookdale Expands Workforce Programs

☘️ Asbury Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade

☘️ Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade

🥘 Belmar Dine & Discover

🥩 New Restaurants at Monmouth Park

🍝 Goodbye Stella Marina

🥯 The Bagel Nook & Waterloo Sparkling Water Collab

🍝 Italian Cooking Classes

🧾 AARP Tax-Aide

🎸 Joe Bonamassa at Count Basie

🇮🇪 Irish American Comedy & Film Fleadh

🎨 The Cardboard Show at Art Spot

🎭️ Andrew Dice Clay & Jon Lovitz Comedy

🏃‍♀️ Shamrock Shuffle 5k

🎾 Monmouth U. and Brookdale Sports

🌊 Ocean Temp/Tides

📰 NEWS

🥘 Belmar Dine & Discover

The 18th Annual Dine & Discover restaurant tour is returning to Belmar on Sunday, March 8th, offering food lovers a delicious way to kick off the spring season. During the event, participants can enjoy tastings from a variety of Belmar’s favorite eateries, breweries, and dessert spots as they hop between restaurants on complimentary trolley rides running throughout the afternoon — a fun, community-centric way to sample local cuisine and support small businesses while discovering new favorite dishes around town.

🩺 Brookdale Expands Workforce Programs

Brookdale Community College is expanding its workforce development programs to better meet the growing demand for skilled professionals across Monmouth County and beyond. The Lincroft-based college is enhancing short-term career certification tracks and hands-on training opportunities in high-demand fields such as healthcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing, and the skilled trades. Designed for recent high school graduates, adult learners, and career changers alike, the expanded offerings focus on practical, job-ready skills that align with regional employer needs. By strengthening partnerships with local businesses and industry leaders, Brookdale continues to play a vital role in building a strong local talent pipeline while providing residents with affordable, accessible pathways to stable, well-paying careers.

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🎡 FAMILY

Teen Arts Stations: Modern Archetype Tarot & Mandala Mixed Media | 3/6 3pm-6pm | Over the Moon Art Studios (Asbury Park) | info

Storytime & Craft | 3/6 11am | Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) | info

Free Sensory-Friendly Reptile Adventure | 3/7 10am-12pm | Bierman Autism Centers (Eatontown) | info

Tiny Hands Studio | 3/7 10am | Sun Moon Studio (Keyport) | info

Free Weekend Workshop | 3/7 11am | Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) | info

Shamrocks by the Shore: St. Patrick's Celebration at Pier Village | 3/7 1pm-4pm | Pier Village (Long Branch) | info

Free Monograming Event at Carter's | 3/7 1pm-4pm | Carters-Freehold Raceway Mall (Freehold) | info

High Speed Heroes Character Brunch | 3/8 11am-2pm | The Bistro-iPlay America (Freehold) | info

📍 LOCAL EVENTS

First Fridays: Art and Sound at the Station | 3/6 5pm-8pm | Asbury Park Transportation Center (Asbury Park) | info

Hazlet 2026 AARP Tax-Aide | 3/6 1pm-4pm | Hazlet Library (Hazlet) | info

Wall 2026 AARP Tax-Aide | 3/6 1pm-4pm | Wall Library (Wall) | info

Easter and Easter Basket Drive | 3/6-3/8 10am-2pm | Lunch Breach (Red Bank) | info

Spring Self-Care Wellness Market | 3/7 12pm-4pm | 3BR Distillery (Keyport) | info

Team Monmouth County Police Unity Tour Fundraiser | 3/7 3:00 PM | Bar Anticipation (Lake Como) | info

Jobs in the Parks: Summer Job Fair | 3/7 9am-12pm | Fort Monmouth Rec Center (Tinton Falls) | info

Lucky Bowling Bash | 3/7 1pm-4pm | Pier Pins-Pier Village (Long Branch) | info

Asbury Park St. Patrick's Day Parade | 3/8 1pm-4pm | 4th Ave/Ocean Ave (Asbury Park) | info

Plan It Wedding Expo | 3/8 11:30am-2:30pm | The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel (Asbury Park) | info

Rumson St. Patrick's Day Parade | 3/8 1:00 PM | Allen St/River Rd (Rumson) | info

Jetty Surf Club | 3/8 8am-5pm | Jetty Surf Co.-Pier Village (Long Branch) | info

🍔 FOOD & 🍹 DRINK

🍝 Goodbye to Stella Marina

Stella Marina, the beloved Italian restaurant and bar that had been a fixture on the Asbury Park Boardwalk since 2009, has abruptly closed its doors after 17 years in business. The beachfront eatery, known for its rustic Italian cuisine, ocean views, and lively atmosphere, announced the closure on social media Monday with a message thanking staff, regulars, and community supporters for the memories and years of patronage, but offered no specific reason for the decision. The sudden shutdown marks the end of an era for one of the Jersey Shore’s most recognizable dining destinations, leaving locals and visitors alike reflecting on countless sunsets and seaside meals as the community now wonders what will take its place in the prime corner space overlooking the Atlantic.

🥩 New Restaurants at Monmouth Park

Two exciting new restaurants are gearing up to open later this year at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, boosting the racetrack’s culinary scene and giving local diners fresh reasons to visit. The highly anticipated Apéro Steakhouse will bring an upscale steakhouse concept to the venue, while Pat & Lola’s Garden Bar promises a more relaxed yet refined outdoor-inspired setting — both founded by a dynamic father-and-son hospitality team with a strong track record in the industry. These additions aim to complement Monmouth Park’s existing food offerings and entertainment options, expanding the ways residents and visitors can enjoy quality dining alongside racing and other events.

The Bagel Nook & Waterloo Sparkling Water Collab | 3/5-3/8 Th/F/S 7am-2pm Su 7am-2pm | The Bagel Nook (Freehold) | info

Cork & Explore: Wine Tasting Experience | 3/6 6pm-8pm | Avenue-Pier Village (Long Branch) | info

Modern Italian Dinner Party | 3/6 6:30pm-9pm | Taste & Technique (Fair Haven) | info

Girl Dinner at Avenue | 3/6-3/8 F 12pm-9pm, S 11am-9pm | Avenue-Pier Village (Long Branch) | info

Chick fil-A Food Truck at Bakes | 3/7 1pm-6pm | Bakes Brewing Co (Wall) | info

Winter Fresh Farmers Market | 3/8 10am-1pm | Jersey Shore Arts Center (Ocean Grove) | info

Belmar Dine & Discover | 3/8 11:30am-3:30pm | 10th Ave Burrito (Belmar) | info

Pop-Up Market at Tall Oaks | 3/8 12pm-4pm | Tall Oaks Farm & Brewery (Farmingdale) | info

The Mozz Pit Pizza | 3/8 12pm-5pm | Bakes Brewing Co (Wall) | info

Girl Scout Cookie Day & International Women's Day Vendor Event | 3/8 12pm-4pm | Bakes Brewing Co (Wall) | info

Jazz Brunch: Mike Noordzy & Chris Welcome | 3/8 12pm-3pm | Porta (Asbury Park) | info

Classic Italian Favorites: From Scratch | 3/8 3:30pm-6pm | Taste & Technique (Fair Haven) | info

A Cook & A Book: Rainbow Fish (Age 3-6 Mommy & Me) | 3/8 4:30pm-6pm | Taste & Technique (Fair Haven) | info

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🎨 ART, HISTORY & EDUCATION

🎨 The Fourth Cardboard Show

The Art Spot in Asbury Park, New Jersey—a vibrant gallery, studio space, and creative hub located at 1100 Ocean Avenue that showcases local artists and community-driven work—recently featured an engaging cardboard art exhibit that transformed the everyday material into imaginative large-scale sculptures and installations. Curated by artists deeply rooted in the Asbury Park scene, the show celebrated the playful and experimental spirit of cardboard as a medium, echoing the collaborative ethos seen in “The Cardboard Show” projects by longtime friends and collaborators who have previously brought similar immersive cardboard creations to nearby galleries and community spaces. By inviting visitors to reconsider an ordinary material through the lens of artistic play and craftsmanship, the exhibit at The Art Spot not only highlighted the ingenuity of regional talent but also reinforced the gallery’s role as a dynamic space where art, process, and community intersect in unexpected ways.

Living History Through Music | 3/6 2pm-4pm | Manalapan Library (Manalapan) | info

The Art of the Esoteric Exhibit: Opening Reception | 3/6 5pm-8pm | Over the Moon Art Studios (Asbury Park) | info

Street Life Art Exhibit Opening | 3/6 5:30pm-8pm | ArtSpace (Red Bank) | info

Figure Drawing with Live Model | 3/6 6:30pm-8pm | Inspired Minds (Colts Neck) | info

Whispers on the Water: Images of Coastal Regions Exhibit | 3/6-3/31 9am-9pm | Shrewsbry Library (Shrewsbury) | info

Pop Surrealism: From the James and Maureen Dorment Collection | 3/6 10am-5pm | DiMattio Gallery (W. Long Branch) | info

Opening Your Pond with Madam Koi | 3/7 10am-12pm | Brock Farms (Colts Neck) | info

Cookstove Demonstration | 3/7 11am-3pm | Historic Longstreet Farm (Holmdel) | info

Beach Nature Walk | 3/7 1pm | Leonardo State Marina Nature Center (Leonardo) | info

Oldies But Goodies Art Exhibit | 3/7-4/4 M-Th 9am-9pm, F/S 9am-5pm | Middletown Public Library (Middletown) | info

Weaving Intention: Macrame Stone Wrapping Workshop | 3/8 11:30am-2pm | Sun Moon Studio (Keyport) | info

Blacksmith Demonstration | 3/8 1pm-3pm | Historic Longstreet Farm (Holmdel) | info

🎭️ THEATER, CINEMA & COMEDY

Epic: Elvis Presley in Concert (Cinema) | 3/6 4pm, 7pm | Basie Center Cinemas (Red Bank) | info

The Bride! (Cinema) | 3/6 4:45pm, 7:15pm | Basie Center Cinemas (Red Bank) | info

The Rocky Horror Picture Show | 3/6 10pm | Basie Center Cinemas (Red Bank) | info

A Doll's House | 3/6-3/8 F 7pm, S/Su 3pm | Two River Theater (Red Bank) | info

Samantha Inside Out | 3/6-3/8 F/S 2pm, 7pm Su 2pm | NJ Repertory Co. (Long Branch) | info

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee | 3/6-3/8 F/S 7pm, Su 8pm | Middletown Arts Center (Middletown) | info

2026 Oscar Nominated Shorts - Documentary | 3/6-3/8 F 7pm, S 2:45pm, Su 2pm | The Showroom (Asbury Park) | info

2026 Oscar Nominated Shorts - Live Action | 3/6-3/8 F 7:15pm, S 3pm, 7:15pm, Su 2:15pm | The Showroom (Asbury Park) | info

2026 Oscar Nominated Shorts - Animation | 3/6-3/8 F 7:30 PM, S 3:15pm, 7:45pm, Su 2:45pm | The Showroom (Asbury Park) | info

ComedySportz: Live Improv | 3/7 7pm | Jersey Shore Arts Center (Ocean Grove) | info

I Love the 80's to Death: Murder Mystery | 3/7 7pm-8pm | Brookdale PAC (Lincroft) | info

Irish American Comedy & Film Fleadh | 3/7 7pm | Count Basie-The Vogel (Red Bank) | info

Angels Among Us Presents A Spiritual Evening with Gail Lionetti | 3/7 7:30pm-9:30pm | First Ave Playhouse (Atl. Highlands) | info

Andrey Dice Clay & Jon Lovitz (Comedy) | 3/7 8:00 PM | Count Basie-HMH Theater (Red Bank) | info

World's Best Short Films Presented by Asbury Shorts | 3/7 8pm | Algonquin Theater (Manasquan) | info

Comedy Show Fundraiser | 3/7 8pm | Smodcastle Cinemas (Atl. Highlands) | info

Tidal Wave Comedy Night | 3/7 8pm | The Handsome Devil (Belmar) | info

Sister's Irish Catechism: Snakes, Saints, & Green Milshakes | 3/8 3pm | Count Basie-The Vogel (Red Bank) | info

Comedy Night at First Ave Playhouse | 3/8 7pm | First Ave Playhouse (Atl. Highlands) | info

 🎸 LIVE MUSIC 🎙️ 

Looking Ahead

Here’s one we think you’ll like but we want to make sure you have time to get tickets:

☘️ Paul Byrom Irish Tenor: Songs from Home | 3/17 3pm | St. Margaret's Church (Spring Lake) | info

Candlelight Concerts: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles | 3/6 3:30pm | Pollak Theater (W. Long Branch) | info

Matthew Morrison | 3/6 7pm | Count Basie-The Vogel (Red Bank) | info

The Dave Matthews Tribute Band | 3/6 7pm | The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) | info

Dark Start Orchestra | 3/6 8pm | Count Basie-HMH Theater (Red Bank) | info

Crystal Ship: Tribute to The Doors | 3/6 8:00 PM | The Wonder Bar (Asbury Park) | info

Candlelight Concerts: Coldplay vs Imagine Dragons | 3/6 8:30 PM | Pollak Theater (W. Long Branch) | info

Songbird Acoustic | 3/7 1pm-4pm | Asbury Park Brewery (Asbury Park) | info

The Pipes and Drums of The Atlantic Watch | 3/7 1pm-4pm | Carousel Stage-Pier Village (Long Branch) | info

Sandy Mack's St. Paddy's Day | 3/7 3pm-7pm | The Asbury Hotel (Asbury Park) | info

Pat Roddy Band | 3/7 7:00 PM | The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) | info

Sensational Soul Cruisers | 3/7 7pm | The Wonder Bar (Asbury Park) | info

Women in Music | 3/7 7pm-10:30pm | The Asbury Hotel (Asbury Park) | info

Brian Kirk & The Jirks Parade After Party | 3/8 1:30pm | Asbury Lanes (Asbury Park) | info

Big Bang Baby Parade After Party | 3/8 2pm | The Wonder Bar (Asbury Park) | info

The Cabaret Cafe: Swing, Standards, & Blues | 3/8 2pm-3pm | Brookdale PAC (Lincroft) | info

Walkin' After Midnight: A Patsy Cline Tribute | 3/8 3pm | Algonquin Theater (Manasquan) | info

Path Methany Group Tribute Concert | 3/8 3:30pm | Belmar Arts Center (Belmar) | info

Joe Bonamassa | 3/8 7:30pm | Count Basie-HMH Theater (Red Bank) | info

 🏀 SPORTS & FITNESS 🏃‍♂️

Monmouth U. Men's Tennis vs Bryant | 3/6 7:00 PM | Park Ave Tennis Center (Oakhurst) | info

Shamrock Shuffle 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run | 3/7 9am | Thompson Park (Lincroft) | info

Monmouth U. Softball vs Hofstra | 3/7 12pm | Monmouth U. (W. Long Branch) | info

Brookdale Baseball vs Salem Community College | 3/7 12:00 PM | Brookdale CC (Lincroft) | info

Monmouth U. Baseball vs Hofstra | 3/7 1pm | Monmouth U. (W. Long Branch) | info

Brookdale Softball vs Hudson Valley Community College | 3/7 1pm, 3pm | Brookdale CC (Lincroft) | info

Monmouth U. Women's Tennis vs Drexel | 3/7 4:45 PM | Little Silver Tennis Club (Little Silver) | info

E. Murray Todd Half-Marathon | 3/8 8:30am | Brookdale CC (Lincroft) | info

Monmouth U. Women's Tennis vs Rider | 3/8 4:45pm | Little Silver Tennis Club (Little Silver) | info

Monmouth U. Men's Tennis vs Wagner | 3/8 6pm | Park Ave Tennis Center (Oakhurst) | info

🌊 ☀️ BEACH

Asbury Park - Ocean Temp. 36°F 

Fri 3/6: Low 2:53am | High 9:02am | Low 3:06pm | High 9:29pm | Sunrise 6:23am | Sunset 5:53pm

Sat 3/7: Low 3:32am | High 9:44am | Low 3:39pm | High 10:10pm | Sunrise 6:21am | Sunset 5:55pm

Sun 3/8: Low 5:11am | High 11:28am | Low 5:11pm | High 11:53pm | Low 11:54pm | Sunrise 7:20am | Sunset 6:56pm

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