Good morning Monmouth County! Fair season hits full stride over the next two weeks. Our own Monmouth County Fair starts Wednesday followed by the Manasquan Fireman’s Fair next week. It’s a good time to have a good time!

🎡 Monmouth County Fair

⚓ Red Bank Marine Park

🌻 Sunflower and Lavender Picking

🍔 Harpoon Willy’s River Road Burger

🍕 Meet Me on Main in Manasquan

🍝 Pasta & Pizza Making for Kids

🚢 The Manasquan Wreck

🎻 Asbury Park Concert Band

🧘 Breathwork and Yoga in Spring Lake

🛟 Lifeguard Tournaments

🌊 Ocean Temp/Tides

It’s here! It’s here! OUR Monmouth County Fair will be back at the East Freehold Showgrounds from Wednesday, July 22, through Sunday, July 26, with five days of classic summer entertainment, agricultural traditions, and family-friendly activities. Presented by the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners in partnership with the Monmouth County Park System and the Monmouth County 4-H Association, this year's fair at 1500 Kozloski Road in Freehold will highlight the impressive achievements and farm animal exhibits of local 4-H youth alongside live entertainment, amusement rides, and home and garden displays. Attendees are also encouraged to visit the Monmouth County Government Tent to connect with local services ranging from Tourism and the County Clerk to the Monmouth County Library System and Brookdale Community College. Gates are open from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, with general admission priced at $10. Children ages 12 and under, as well as veterans and active military, are admitted free, with special senior and student free admission offered on Sunday, daily half-price admission during the first two hours, and complete event details available at monmouthcountyfair.com.

Red Bank’s newly transformed Marine Park has officially reopened along the picturesque Navesink River, following a massive multi-million-dollar revitalization project. This gorgeous 2.2-acre waterfront "destination park" now features a state-of-the-art, 20,000-square-foot inclusive playground designed for children of all abilities, complete with a 30-foot climbing tower, a wheelchair-accessible pirate ship, and a double zipline. By relocating municipal parking inland, the borough reclaimed 28,000 square feet of prime riverfront space to create an expansive, grassy lawn and a new pergola-style band shell designed to host community concerts, cultural events, and outdoor recreation. Fusing environmental resilience with community-centered design, the beautifully upgraded Marine Park stands as a premier public hub where local families can play, gather, and enjoy the water for generations to come.

Children’s Story Time on BroadWalk | 7/20 | 10:30am-11am | Downtown Red Bank, Red Bank | info

Dinosaurs Arise | 7/20 | 11am-11:45am | Middletown Library, Middletown | info

Junior Ranger Angler Fishing Program- 10-16yrs | 7/20 | 12:30pm-3:30pm | 18 Hartshorne Dr, Highlands, Highlands | info

Hands-On Engineering Workshop- 9-12yrs | 7/20 | 2:30pm-3:15pm | Manalapan Library, Manalapan | info

Seashell Painting with Yana | 7/21 | 11am | Keansburg Library, Keansburg | info

Kids' Karate on Broadwalk | 7/22 | 11am-12pm | Downtown Red Bank, Red Bank | info

Bright Star Theatre : Dino Academy | 7/22 | 11am-12pm | Middletown Library, Middletown | info

Tot Dance Downtown | 7/22 | 6pm-7pm | Hall of Records, Freehold | info

Movies On The Beach- The Goonies | 7/22 | Dusk | 7th Ave Beach, Belmar | info

Summer Pool Party | 7/23 | 1pm-3pm | Big Brook Park, Marlboro | info

Ice Cream Sponge Painting | 7/23 | 3:30pm-4pm | Atlantic Highlands Library, Atlantic Highlands | info

Kids Takeover | 7/23 | 4pm-6pm | Downtown Red Bank, Red Bank | info

Puffy Paint Ice Cream Cones WAITLIST OPEN | 7/23 | 4pm-4:30pm | Oceanport Library, Oceanport | info

Drop-in Drawing Studio | 7/21-7/24 | 10am | Monmouth Museum, Lincroft | info

Storytime & Crafts | 7/21-7/24 | 11am | Wonder Wing- Monmouth Museum, Lincroft | info

Monmouth County Fair | 7/22-7/26 | Wed-Fri 4pm-11pm, Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-6pm | East Freehold Showgrounds, Freehold | info

Luminocity Dino Safari | 7/17-8/16 | Mon-Tues 5pm-8pm, Thur 5pm-8:30pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-9pm, Sun 5pm-8:30pm | Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold | info

Caged Hearts Fundraiser | 7/20 | 6pm | Wild Air Beerworks, Asbury Park | info

Laser Engraving Leather Patches (online safety training required) | 7/20 | 6pm-7:30pm | Middletown Library, Middletown | info

Beautiful on a Budget: Creating Fresh Flower Arrangements at Home | 7/21 | 6pm-8pm | Manalapan Library, Manalapan | info

Beachfront Dance Lessons | 7/21 | 6pm-8pm | 5th Ave Gazebo, Bradley Beach | info

Swing Dance Lessons | 7/21 | 6pm-8pm | 5th Ave Gazebo, Bradley Beach | info

Sip & Paint | 7/21 | 7pm-9pm | Pier Pins, Long Branch | info

Fiber in the Hive | 7/22 | 6pm-8pm | Beach Bee Meadery, Long Branch | info

Haunted Pub Tour | 7/22 | 7:30pm | The Paranormal Museum, Asbury Park | info

DIY Earring Workshop | 7/23 | 6pm-8pm | Beach Bee Meadery, Long Branch | info

Meet me on Main | 7/23 | 6pm-10pm | Main Street Business District, Manasquan | info

Moss & Mingle | 7/23 | 7pm-8:30pm | 3BR Distillery, Keyport | info

It's in the Cards- Tarot Card Basics | 7/23 | 7pm-8:30pm | Atlantic Highlands Library, Atlantic Highlands | info

Original Asbury Park Ghost Tour Ghosts & Legends Downtown Tour | 7/23 | 8pm | The Paranormal Museum, Asbury Park | info

Asbury Park’s Ghosts of the Boardwalk Tour (dog friendly) | 7/21, 7/23 | 6:30pm | The Paranormal Museum, Asbury Park | info

Private Group Tour of the Paranormal Museum | 7/22, 7/23 | Wed 12pm, 1:15pm, 2:30pm, 3:45pm, Thur 12pm, 1:15pm, 2:30pm | The Paranormal Museum, Asbury Park | info

Sunflower Picking | Now Open | Wed-Sun 10am-5pm | Happy Day Farm, Manalapan | info

Lavender Picking | Now until 7/26 | Wed-Sun 10am-5pm | Happy Day Farm, Manalapan | info

Harpoon Willy's River Road Burger officially brought the ultimate culinary crown to Monmouth County in March by winning the 2026 Asbury Park Press Burger Bracket. Earning the highly coveted title of "Best Burger at the Jersey Shore," the beloved Manasquan (Wall) waterfront tavern outlasted 15 other local restaurant contenders in a fiercely competitive, reader-voted tournament. Local fans overwhelmingly rallied behind the restaurant's signature half-pound Angus chuck burger, specifically praising the backyard-barbecue char and authentic smoky flavor that sets their classic grilled burgers apart from trendy, flat-top smash burgers. For the culinary team at Harpoon Willy's, the bracket victory serves as a massive point of pride, validating their commitment to quality ingredients, expert execution, and the incredibly loyal Monmouth County community that showed up to vote them into the number one spot.

Intro to Pasta and Pizza Making- KIDS CLASSES | 7/20-7/23 | 12:30pm-3pm | Taste & Technique, Fair Haven | info

Crossroads of the American Revolution Wine Trail | 7/20-7/26 | Various Times | Various Locations | info

Bell Works Fresh Farmers & Makers Market | 7/22 | 11am-4pm | Bell Works, Holmdel | info

Lake Como Farmer's Market | 7/22 | 3pm-8pm | Lakefront- North Boulevard & Main Street, Lake Como | info

Tall Oaks Farm & Makers Market | 7/22 | 4pm-8pm | Tall Oaks Farm & Brewery, Farmingdale | info

Little Andy's Burgers- Food Truck | 7/22 | 5pm-7pm | Wheelhouse Distilling Co., Neptune | info

Class with Bee's Pasta & Co | 7/22 | 6pm-8pm | Bakes Brewing Co, Wall | info

Boozy Brushes: Spritz Sip and Paint Wine Glasses | 7/22 | 6pm | Asbury Lobby, Asbury Park | info

Yacht Rock Wednesdays | 7/22 | 7pm-10pm | Blend on Main, Manasquan | info

West End Farmers Market | 7/23 | 9am-3pm | West End Park, Long Branch | info

Wall Farmers Market | 7/23 | 2pm-7pm | 1900 Baileys Corner Rd., Wall | info

Mozzarella Making Party- WAITLIST OPEN | 7/23 | 6:30pm-9pm | Taste & Technique, Fair Haven | info

Extinctopedia: Dine and Discuss- Family friendly | 7/20 | 6:30pm-7:30pm | Middletown Library, Middletown | info

Casual Birder at Big Brook Park | 7/21 | 9am | Big Brook Park, Marlboro | info

Tidal Tuesday- Seining at Fisherman's Cove | 7/21 | 11am-12pm | Fisherman's Cove, Manasquan | info

The Manasquan Wreck | 7/21 | 2pm-3pm | Wall Library, Wall | info

Pond Netting | 7/21 | 2pm-3pm | Poricy Park, Middletown | info

Tech Tuesday-Design with Canva Basics | 7/21 | 2:30pm-4pm | Middletown Library, Middletown | info

Beach Watercolor Workshop | 7/21 | 6pm | Over The Moon Art Studios, Asbury Park | info

Adult Zining Workshop - Collage Poetry | 7/22 | 1pm-2:30pm | Middletown Library, Middletown | info

Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir | 7/22 | 2pm, 3pm, 4pm | Manasquan Reservoir, Howell | info

RBY: Take Control of Your Health | 7/22 | 4:30pm-7pm | Red Bank YMCA, Red Bank | info

Teen Art Program: Mixed Media Self-Portraits | 7/22 | 7pm-8:30pm | Middletown Library, Middletown | info

Nature Lecture- Understanding Dolphin Behavior | 7/22 | 7pm-9pm | Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth | info

Fishing 101- A Beginner's Guide to Fishing | 7/23 | 8am-12pm | Manasquan Reservoir, Howell | info

Life in a Freshwater Pond | 7/23 | 11am-12pm | Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen | info

Information Session: NJ State Services | 7/23 | 1pm-2:30pm | Middletown Library, Middletown | info

Intro to Junk Journaling | 7/23 | 6:30pm-7:30pm | Middletown Library, Middletown | info

Seining Along Sandy Hook Bay | 7/20, 7/22, 7/23 | 11am-12pm | Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth | info

Back to the Beginning- Remembering Ozzy Ozborne | 7/23-7/24 | 3pm-8pm | Art Spot, Asbury Park | info

Color Envy Exhibit | 7/10-8/9 | T-Su 10am-4pm | Monmouth Museum, Lincroft | info

"The Locals" Art Exhibition | 6/25-7/27 | Hours Vary | Art629 Gallery, Asbury Park | info

Native Americans of New Jersey: Past and Present | 7/17-9/6 | T-Su 10am-4pm | Monmouth Museum, Lincroft | info

Pigment of Your Imagination: Just Lefkowitz Art Exhibit | 7/17-9/6 | T-Su 10am-4pm | Monmouth Museum, Lincroft | info

Pediatric Mental Health: Cyber Bullying Prevention | 7/20 | 1:30pm-2pm | Hazlet Library, Hazlet | info

Film Festival 2026 Fantasy Life | 7/20 | 4:45pm | Axelrod Performing Arts Center, Deal | info

Staged Reading - Are You Still There? SOLD OUT | 7/20 | 7pm | NJ Repertory Company, Long Branch | info

Bards- Poetry | 7/20 | 7pm-10pm | My Way Café, Long Branch | info

Film Festival 2026 Nandauri | 7/20 | 7:30pm | Axelrod Performing Arts Center, Deal | info

Film Festival 2026 Letter to David | 7/21 | 7:30pm | Axelrod Performing Arts Center, Deal | info

Puppeteers For Fears presents Robopocalypse: The Musical! | 7/21 | 8pm | House of Independents, Asbury Park | info

Comedy Night | 7/22 | 8pm | Wave Resort, Long Branch | info

Mingle Mondays w/ dj MoTalent | 7/20 | 4pm-7pm | Downtown Red Bank, Red Bank | info

Music Mondays- Special Guest Ja'sir Taylor | 7/20 | 6pm-8pm | Springwood Park, Asbury Park | info

Starman: A Tribute to David Bowie | 7/20 | 7pm-8:30pm | Carousel Stage- Pier Village, Long Branch | info

FBAC Open Mic Night | 7/21 | 6:30pm-9pm | The American Hotel, Freehold | info

Tuesdays on Broadway- David Ceceno & Orchestra | 7/21 | 7pm-8:30pm | Broadway Band Shell, 3rd Ave. & Broadway, Long Branch | info

Bands on the Beach- Cause & The Effects | 7/21 | 7pm-9pm | Sea Bright Beach, Sea Bright | info

Asbury Park Concert Band- Shall We Dance | 7/21 | 7pm-9pm | Arthur Pryor Bandshell, Asbury Park | info

2026 Boardwalk Summer Concerts- N&D Electric Duo | 7/21 | 7pm-9pm | Woodland Ave Boardwalk/Pavilion, Avon | info

Spring Lake Summer Nights- Friends Zone | 7/22 | 5pm-8pm | Downtown Spring Lake, Spring Lake | info

Muse | 7/22 | 7pm | PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel | info

Valley Flower | 7/22 | 7pm | Wonder Bar, Asbury Park | info

Summer Jazz & Blues: Zach Lorelli Quartet | 7/22 | 7pm-9pm | Riley Park, Bradley Beach | info

Summer Concert Series- E. Boro Bandits | 7/22 | 7pm-9pm | Veterans Memorial Park, Aberdeen | info

Asbury Park Live on the Boardwalk- Third From The Sun + Red Head Redemption | 7/22 | 7pm-10pm | 1st Ave Green Space, Asbury Park | info

Revolution in Harmony: Celebrating America 250 | 7/23 | 2pm-3pm | Howell Library, Howell | info

Dirty Heads and 311 | 7/23 | 5:30pm | PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel | info

Kiaura Rose | 7/23 | 6pm | Baronet Rooftop, Asbury Park | info

Guitar & Ukulele on the Beach | 7/23 | 6pm-7pm | Beach Pavilion, Sea Girt | info

Summer Concert Series- Me & Bobby D | 7/23 | 6:30pm-8:30pm | Veterans Park, Highlands | info

Thursdays by the Sea- Big Hix | 7/23 | 7pm-8:30pm | Great Lawn Stage, Long Branch | info

Concerts in the Park- 80's Revolution | 7/23 | 7pm-8:30pm | Veterans Park, Hazlet | info

Sounds of Summer Concert Series- Rockit Fish (80's music) | 7/23 | 7pm-8:30pm | Town Hall, Pondside, Colts Neck | info

West 22nd SOLD OUT | 7/23 | 7pm | Wonder Bar, Asbury Park | info

Singers & Songwriters on the Beach | 7/23 | 7pm-9pm | Newark Avenue Beach, Bradley Beach | info

Meet me on Main- Beach Concert | 7/23 | 7pm-10pm | 201 Beachfront, Manasquan | info

Thursdays Rock! Summer Concert Series | 7/23 | 7:30pm-9:30pm | Hall of Records, Freehold | info

Tiny Room Concerts with Joe Iconis | 7/23-7/25 | Th/F 7pm & 9:30pm, S 2pm & 7pm (sold out) | Two River Theater, Red Bank | info

Anchored at the Shore: The Exhale- Breathwork & Movement | 7/22 | 7:30am | North End Pavilion, Spring Lake | info

Spring Lake Lifeguard Tournament | 7/20 | 6pm | North End, Spring Lake | info

MonCo All Women's Lifeguard Tournament | 7/22 | 6pm | Deal Beach, Deal | info

Beach Game Pop Up | 7/23 | 6pm-8pm | The Sandbox at Seastreak Beach, Highlands | info

MCPS Lifeguard Tournament | 7/23 | 6pm | Seven Presidents, Long Branch | info

Run Club | 7/23 | 6:30pm-8:30pm | Bakes Brewing Co, Wall | info

BlueClaws vs. Brooklyn | 7/21-7/23 | Tue 6:05pm, Wed 11:05am, Thur 7:05pm | ShoreTown Ballpark, Lakewood | info

Mon 7/20: High 12:24am | Low 6:30am | High 1:05pm | Low 7:04pm | Sunrise 5:44am | Sunset 8:22pm

Tue 7/21: High 1:14am | Low 7:20am | High 1:53pm | Low 8:07pm | Sunrise 5:45am | Sunset 8:22pm

Wed 7/22: High 2:04am | Low 8:13pm | High 2:42pm | Low 9:08pm | Sunrise 5:45am | Sunset 8:21pm

Thu 7/13: High 2:57am | Low 9:08pm | High 3:33pm | Low 10:04 | Sunrise 5:46am | Sunset 8:21pm