Good morning Monmouth County! Summer is officially in full swing across Monmouth County and we’ve got the temperatures in the forecast to prove it.

🐶 SPCA Gala raises $410k

🦖 Luminocity Dino Safari

🍻 Brickwall Tavern is Back

🧀 Cheese All That Workshop

🫐 U-Pick Rasberries, Blackberries, and Blueberries

🧨 Fireworks

🍎 Farmers Markets

🇺🇸 Antique American Flag Display

🥁 US Army Field Band

🎭 Algonquin Theater’s ‘26-’27 Season

🎸 Fleetwood Mac Tribute

⚾ BlueClaws vs Rome

🌊 Ocean Temp/Tides

The Monmouth County SPCA successfully hosted its highly anticipated annual Fur Ball Gala at the elegant Shadowbrook at Shrewsbury, raising a spectacular $410,000 to fund its ongoing animal rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption initiatives. Embracing a vibrant "Cirque du Shelter" theme, the evening captivated attendees with a lively blend of live entertainment, dynamic performances, and a shared passion for animal welfare. Beyond the stunning visual spectacle, the heart of the gala centered on honoring the organization's lifesaving impact, shining a bright spotlight on beloved rescue alumni like Trouble, Firefox, and Chance, whose success stories served as a powerful testament to the community's collective generosity.

This crucial influx of funding directly empowers the shelter to expand its essential services, which include providing comprehensive medical care, shelter, and behavioral support for thousands of vulnerable animals throughout the region each year. By uniting local business leaders, dedicated volunteers, and passionate animal advocates under one roof, the event highlighted the deep-rooted community support that keeps the organization's mission thriving.

Children Story Time on BroadWalk | 6/29 10:30am-11am | Downtown Red Bank (Red Bank) | info

Atlantic Highlands Firemans Fair | 6/30-7/4 4pm-11pm | Atlantic Highlands Fire Department- 2 Simon Lake Dr (Atlantic Highlands) | info

Storytime & Craft | 6/30-7/2 11am | Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) | info

Luminocity Dino Safari (Closed Wednesdays except July 1st) | 7/1-8/16 Mon/Tues 5pm-9pm, Thur/Sun 5pm-9:30pm, Fri/Sat 5pm-10pm | Freehold Raceway Mall (Freehold) | info

Kids' Karate on Broadwalk | 7/1 11am-12pm | Downtown Red Bank (Red Bank) | info

Robotics Makerspace | 7/1 3:30pm-4:45pm | Wall Library (Wall) | info

Freehold Family Movie Night- Back to the Future II | 7/1 8:30pm-10pm | Hall of Records (Downtown Freehold) | info

Movies on The Beach- Ratatouille | 7/1 Dusk | 7th Ave Beach (Belmar) | info

Kids Takeover | 7/2 4pm-6pm | Downtown Red Bank (Red Bank) | info

Summer Movies- National Treasure | 7/2 9pm | Poricy Park (Middletown) | info

Red, White, and Boom- Bell Works Annual Fireworks Rain Date 7/1) | 6/30 5pm | Bell Works (Holmdel) | info

250th Celebration | 7/1 3pm-6pm | Riley Park (Bradley Beach) | info

Fireworks – America 250 Celebration (Rain Date 7/10) | 7/1 5pm-10pm | Veterans Memorial Park (Aberdeen) | info

America's 250th Celebration | 7/2 4pm-9pm | Downtown Red Bank (Red Bank) | info

Howell Township Independence Day Celebration | 7/2 5pm-9:30pm | Soldier Memorial Park (Howell) | info

Red, White & Boom! 4th Celebration | 7/2 5:30pm-10pm | Joe Palaia Park (Ocean Township) | info

4th of July Fireworks (Rain date 7/11) | 7/2 9pm | Beachfront (Bradley Beach) | info

Atlantic Highlands Fireworks | 7/2 9:30pm | Municipal Harbour (Atlantic Highlands) | info

Mingle Mondays | 6/29 4pm-7pm | Downtown Red Bank (Red Bank) | info

Line Dancing Mondays | 6/29 6pm-10pm | Beach Haus Brewery (Belmar) | info

Line Dancing on BroadWalk | 6/29 7pm-9pm | Downtown Red Bank (Red Bank) | info

Full Moon Party | 6/29 7pm-10pm | The Asbury Pool (Asbury Park) | info

U-Pick Lavender & Raspberries | 6/29-7/2 10am-5pm | Happy Day Farm (Manalapan) | info

U-Pick Blackberries & Blueberries | 6/29-7/2 10am-5pm | Happy Day Farm (Manalapan) | info

Social Dance Club: Summer Night Series | 6/30 6pm-7:30pm | Manalapan Library (Manalapan) | info

Red, White, and Blue Sip & Paint | 6/30 6pm-9pm | Dave & Busters (Freehold) | info

Unwind Social Guided Paint n' Sip | 6/30 7pm-10pm | Asbury Park Brewery (Asbury Park) | info

Private Group Tour of the Paranormal Museum | 7/1 & 7/2 12pm, 1:15pm, 2:30pm, 3:45pm | The Paranormal Museum (Asbury Park) | info

Cheese All That Workshop | 7/1 7pm-8:30pm | Wheelhouse Distilling Co. (Neptune) | info

Haunted Pub Tour - Asbury Park | 7/1 7:30pm | The Paranormal Museum (Asbury Park) | info

Social Dance Club | 7/2 12pm-1:30pm | Manalapan Library (Manalapan) | info

The Brickwall Tavern, downtown Asbury Park's original dining anchor, has officially returned to its longtime home at 522 Cookman Avenue. Local hospitality group Smith—the team behind Porta and Pascal & Sabine—decided to revive the brand after a six-year absence in response to an overwhelming wave of community support following a brief effort to sell the property earlier this year. Originally launched in 2006 as a cornerstone of Cookman Avenue's culinary revival, the neighborhood tavern closed its doors in 2020 due to pandemic pressures, but ownership has now brought it back to serve as a vital community hub amidst Asbury Park's rapidly evolving landscape.

The updated menu relies heavily on the classic staples that defined the tavern's initial run, featuring the signature "Burger Burger," Creole-butter shrimp and grits, and a hot honey fried chicken sandwich. The approachable pricing model highlights burgers under $20, cocktails between $13 and $16, and $2 beers during happy hour, while the interior is decorated with historic 2001 Asbury Park photo prints by Paolo Ventura. The venue is currently executing a phased soft opening with weekend hours extending until 2:00 AM, and it is on track to add full Monday service beginning July 6th as it scales up to full summer operations.

Princesses in the Kitchen WAITLIST | 6/29-7/2 9:00am-11:30am | Taste and Technique (Fair Haven) | info

Bell Works Fresh Farmers & Makers Market | 7/1 11am-4pm | Bell Works (Holmdel) | info

TikTok Taste Lab | 7/1 12:30pm-3pm | Taste and Technique (Fair Haven) | info

Farmers Market | 7/1 3pm-7pm | The Lakefront- North Blvd & Main St (Lake Como) | info

West End Farmers Market | 7/2 9am-3pm | West End Park (Long Branch) | info

Wall Farmers Market | 7/2 2pm-7pm | 1900 Baileys Corner Rd. (Wall) | info

Seining Along Sandy Hook Bay | 6/29 11am-12pm | Bayshore Waterfront Park (Port Monmouth) | info

Pond Netting | 6/30 2pm-3pm | Poricy Park (Middletown) | info

Mat Cutting Basics | 6/30 4pm-6pm | Sun Moon Studio (Asbury Park) | info

Keepsake Board | 6/30 6pm-9pm | Sun Moon Studio (Asbury Park) | info

Seining Along Sandy Hook Bay | 7/1 11am-12pm | Bayshore Waterfront Park (Port Monmouth) | info

Nature Drawing in Jackson Woods | 7/1 12:30pm-2:30pm | Jackson Woods (Long Branch) | info

Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir | 7/1 2pm, 3pm, 4pm | Manasquan Reservoir (Howell) | info

The Ancient Near East at the MET: An Art History Lecture | 7/2 2pm-4pm | Middletown Library (Middletown) | info

Life in a Freshwater Pond | 7/2 11am-12pm | Freneau Woods Park (Aberdeen) | info

Protect Yourself from Mosquitoes and Ticks | 7/2 6:30pm-8pm | Manalapan Library (Manalapan) | info

The Art of the Silhouette | 7/2 7pm-8pm | Atlantic Highlands Library (Atlantic Highlands) | info

Antique American Flag Display | 7/2 & 7/3 11am-4pm | Chapel- The Historic Village at Allaire (Farmingdale) | info

Then and Now: Sandy Hook's Golden Age | Now through 7/15 Mon-Thu 9am-9pm, Fri/Sat 9am-5pm | Shrewsbury Library (Shrewsbury) | info

"The Locals" Art Exhibition | Now through 7/27 7pm-9pm | Art629 Gallery (Asbury Park) | info

Atlantic Shore Woodturners- Exhibit Case | 7/1-7/31 Mon-Thu 9am-9pm, Fri/Sat 9am-5pm | Shrewsbury Library (Shrewsbury) | info

Crash Course Exhibit | Now through 7/6 Fri/Sat 12pm-9pm, Sun 11am-7pm | Parlor Gallery (Asbury Park) | info

Native Americans of New Jersey Past & Present | Now through 9/6 Tue-Sun 10am-4pm | Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) | info

Pigment of Your Imagination: Just Lefkowitz Art Exhibit | Now through 9/6 Tue-Sun 10am-4pm | Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) | info

Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan is generating massive local excitement as it prepares to launch its highly anticipated 2026-2027 Broadway Series next month. While individual ticket sales are moving at a record pace, theater enthusiasts can currently secure exclusive summer subscription discounts that unlock prime seating for an incredible upcoming slate of full-scale theatrical productions. The blockbuster season officially kicks off on July 11 with the hilarious and heartwarming Shrek: The Musical, which will be followed by a vibrant lineup of beloved classics and modern hits including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Dial M for Murder, The Sound of Music, and The Prom. For those eager to review the complete season schedule, secure a subscription package, or book individual seats before they sell out, all performance times and box office updates are available at the info.

Bards | 6/29 7pm-10pm | My Way Cafe (Long Branch) | info

Open Mic Comedy Night | 7/2 7pm | Count Basie- Cinema House (Red Bank) | info

The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler | 7/2 7pm-9pm | Over The Moon Art Studios (Asbury Park) | info

From Russia with Love | 7/2 7:30pm | The Showroom (Asbury Park) | info

Dierdre Foreman - Vagina Monologues | 7/2 & 7/3 5pm-10pm | Over The Moon Art Studios (Asbury Park) | info

Open Mic Night with Rob D! | 7/1 6pm-7pm | Asbury Park Brewery (Asbury Park) | info

The United States Army Field Band | 7/1 7pm | PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel) | info

Rumours ATL- A Fleetwood Mac Tribute | 7/1 7pm | The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) | info

The Wheeland Brothers | 7/1 7pm | The Wonder Bar (Asbury Park) | info

Thursdays Rock- The Eddie Testa Band | 7/1 7:30pm-9:30pm | Hall of Records (Downtown Freehold) | info

Summer Concert Series- Springwood Electric Luau | 7/2 6:30pm-8:30pm | Veterans Park (Highlands) | info

Thursdays by the Sea- J O & Highland Express | 7/2 7pm-8:30pm | Great Lawn Stage- Ocean Ave (Long Branch) | info

Thursdays by the Sea | 7/2 7pm-8:30pm | Great Lawn Stage (Long Branch) | info

An Evening with Goose | 7/2 7pm | PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel) | info

Space Bacon/Sqwerv | 7/2 7pm | The Wonder Bar (Asbury Park) | info

Beach Game Pop Up | 7/2 6pm-8pm | The Sandbox at Seastreak (Highlands) | info

Run Club | 7/2 6:30pm-8:30pm | Bakes Brewing Co (Wall) | info

Game On! Summer of Soccer at Bell Works | 6/11-7/19 Various times | Bell Works (Holmdel) | info

BlueClaws vs Rome | 6/30-7/2 Mon/Tues 6:35pm, Wed 7:05pm | Shoretown Ballpark (Lakewood) | info

Mon 6/29: Low 1:38am | High 7:43am | Low 1:31pm | High 7:55pm | Sunrise 5:30am | Sunset 8:30pm

Tue 6/30: Low 2:20am | High 8:23am | Low 2:14pm | High 8:32pm | Sunrise 5:30am | Sunset 8:30pm

Wed 7/1: Low 3:00am | High 9:03am | Low 2:54pm | High 9:09pm | Sunrise 5:31am | Sunset 8:30pm

Thu 7/2: Low 3:37am | High 9:42am | Low 3:33pm | High 9:45pm | Sunrise 5:31am | Sunset 8:31pm