🍁Maple Syrup Festival!!

Good morning Monmouth County! Now this is what we call a weekend. From the Maple Syrup Festival to the Highlands Chili Cook-Off to the Waterfront Wine Tour, we’re pretty pumped and we hope you are too!

Today’s Buzz 🐝 

🎙️ Sea Girt Officer on American Idol

⛄️ The Monmouth Moms Winter Play & Craft Fair

🍁 Maple Syrup Festival

🥊 Fight For James Bitzer

🫘 Highlands Chili Cook-Off

🍰 Cake Slice Saturday

🍣 Sushi Making Workshop

🎨 Paint Like Jackson Pollock

🎭️ A Doll’s House

🎥 Oscar Nominated Shorts

🎭️ Samantha Inside Out

🎾 Monmouth U. Men’s Tennis

🌊 Ocean Temp/Tides

📰 NEWS

🎙️ Sea Girt Officer on American Idol

Special Officer Julia Santiago of the Sea Girt Police Department recently captured the national spotlight by earning a "golden ticket" to Hollywood on the latest season of American Idol. During her audition, the 20-year-old Freehold resident made a memorable entrance by playfully "arresting" judge Luke Bryan for his tough critiques before delivering a soulful performance of "I Would" by Connie Talbot. Santiago, a graduate of Howell High School’s Fine & Performing Arts Center and a current Rutgers University student, has long served the Monmouth County community by performing the National Anthem at various local events. Her successful audition received high praise from judges Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood, and the Sea Girt Police Department expressed immense pride in her achievement as she advances to the next round of the competition in Hollywood.

🥊 Fight For James Bitzer

The GoFundMe for 6 year old James Bitzer has raised over $20,000 in just the last couple weeks. We’re going to keep this up to encourage as many as we can and to show the Bitzer’s they’re not alone.

The link to the GoFundMe is below and has more information about James and the clinical trial.

🥳 FAMILY FUN!

 🍁 Maple Syrup Festival at Happy Day Farm

Happy Day Farm in Manalapan welcomes the late winter season with its annual Maple Syrup Festival, offering an immersive educational experience for visitors of all ages. Running on select dates throughout February and March, the event invites guests to take a scenic tractor ride out to the "Sugar Bush," where they can learn the traditional process of tree tapping and watch sap boil into golden syrup at the Sugar Shack. Families can enjoy meeting the farm's resident goats and chickens, exploring the animal zoo, and playing with the bubble cart or wooden train. While admission includes the tour and most activities, pancakes and fresh maple syrup are available for purchase to round out the experience. For those planning a visit, tickets are sold exclusively at the door for $18 per person (ages 2+), and more details can be found at the farm’s official website. info

Taylor Swift Era Party | 2/20 5pm-9pm | Middletown Arts Center (Middletown) | info 

Teen Nights at Camp Zehnder | 2/20 6pm-9pm | Camp Zehnder (Wall) | info 

DIY Pinecone Bird Feeders | 2/21 10am-4pm | Leonardo State Marina (Leonardo) | info 

Tiny Hands Studio | 2/21 10am-1pm | Sun Moon Studio (Keyport) | info 

Dance Like a Colonial: A Reel Good Time | 2/21 10:30am-1:30pm | Wall Library (Wall) | info 

Maple Syrup Festival | 2/21, 2/22 10am, 11:15am, 12:30pm, 1:45pm | Happy Day Farm (Manalapan) | info 

The Monmouth Moms Winter Play & Craft Fair | 2/21 11am-3pm | Bell Works (Holmdel) | info

Free Weekend Art Workshop | 2/21, 2/22 11am-2pm | Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) | info 

Teen Nights at the Red Bank YMCA | 2/21 7pm-10pm | YMCA (Red Bank) | info 

Waves of Wonder Bubbly Brunch & Mini-Marine Carnival | 2/22 10am-1pm | West Long Branch Community Center (W. Long Branch) | info 

Princess Brunch | 2/22 11am-2pm | iPlay America (Freehold) | info

📍 LOCAL EVENTS

Fair Haven Liberty Cocktail Party Fundraiser | 2/20 6:30pm-9:30pm | Molly Pitcher Inn (Red Bank) | info

Showcase at The Hotel: Mardi Gras Dance & Dinner Party | 2/20 6pm-9:30pm | The American Hotel (Freehold) | info

Friends of MTPL Book Sale | 2/20-2/21 10am-4pm | Middletown Library (Middletown) | info

Hazlet 2026 AARP Tax-Aide | 2/20 1pm-4pm | Hazlet Library (Hazlet) | info

Wall 2026 AARP Tax-Aide | 2/20 1pm-4pm | Wall Library (Wall) | info

Shrewsbury 2026 AARP Tax-Aide | 2/21 9am-1pm | Shrewsbury Library (Shrewsbury) | info

Marlboro 2026 AARP Tax-Aide | 2/21 10am-12:30pm | Marlboro Library (Marlboro) | info

Valentine Plunge for ALS | 2/21 12pm | Main Beach (Manasquan) | info

Spring Lake Manor Wedding Expo | 2/21 12pm-3pm | Spring Lake Manor (Spring Lake) | info

View for Two Bridal Show | 2/22 2pm-4:30pm | The Oyster Point Hotel (Red Bank) | info

🍔 FOOD & 🍹 DRINK

 🍝 Anjelica’s-USA Today’s Best

Anjelica’s Restaurant in Sea Bright has reached a new level of national acclaim after being named one of the "Best American Restaurants of the Year" for 2026 by USA Today. Established in 1996 by the late Ray Lena and now expertly managed by his daughter and namesake, Anjelica, this family-owned BYOB is celebrated for its warm "Sunday dinner" atmosphere and upscale Italian-American cuisine. The restaurant is particularly famous for its secret, off-menu spicy rigatoni and the charming, twinkle-lit alleyway that provides one of the most coveted alfresco dining experiences at the Jersey Shore. Despite reservations often filling up more than a month in advance, the publication notes that the scratch-made pastas and dedicated service make the wait well worth it for locals and visitors alike. info

Cork & Explore: Wine Tasting Experience | 2/20 6pm-8pm | Avenue-Pier Village (Long Branch) | info

Unlimited Pizza Night | 2/20 4pm-9pm | iPlay America (Freehold) | info

Brews for Big Hearts at Bakes Brewing | 2/20 6pm-9pm | Bakes Brewing Co. (Wall) | info

Supper Club: Everyday Italian Cooking Class (Ages 10+) | 2/20 5pm-7pm | Taste & Technique (Fair Haven) | info

Cake Slice Saturday | 2/21 11am-2pm | Chocolate Carousel (Wall) | info

Heated Rivalry Drag Brunch | 2/21 11am | House of Independents (Asbury Park) | info

Mexi-Boys Food Truck at Bakes Brewing | 2/21 2pm-8pm | Bakes Brewing Co. (Wall) | info

Roll With It: Sushi Workshop at Minnow's | 2/21 6pm-8pm | Minnow's (Brielle) | info

Winter Fresh Farmers Market | 2/22 10am-1pm | Jersey Shore Arts Center (Ocean Grove) | info

Alternate Pairings: The Princess and the Frog (Movie) | 2/22 11:30am, 2:30pm | Alternate Ending Beer Co. (Aberdeen) | info

Asbury Park Waterfront Wine Tour | 2/22 12pm | Asbury Park Boardwalk (Asbury Park) | info

Jazz Brunch: Mike Noordzy & Chris Welcome | 2/22 12pm-3pm | Porta (Asbury Park) | info

Sunday Roast Classics: A British Comfort Feast | 2/22 2pm-5pm | Taste & Technique (Fair Haven) | info

Highlands Chili Cook-Off | 2/22 3pm-7pm | Chubby Pickle (Highlands) | info

Happy Birthday George Washington 4-Course Dinner | 2/22 5pm-8pm | Colts Neck Inn (Colts Neck) | info

🎨 ART, HISTORY & EDUCATION

Whispers on the Water: Images of Coastal Regions | 2/20 9am-9pm | Shrewsbury Library (Shrewsbury) | info

Freedom's Battleground: A Traveling Exhibit of MonmouthNJ 250 Celebration | 2/20, 2/21 9am-9pm | Shrewsbury Library (Shrewsbury) | info

Pop Surrealism: From the James and Maureen Dorment Collection | 2/20 10am-5pm | DiMattio Gallery (W. Long Branch) | info

Narwhal: Revealing an Arctic Legend | 2/20-3/1 T-Su 10am-4pm | Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) | info

Nina Nemeth: Shared Spaces Exhibit | 2/20-3/1 T-Su 10am-4pm | Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) | info

Everyday Uses of AI | 2/20 10:30am-11:30am | Shrewsbury Library (Shrewsbury) | info

Seal and Winter Waterfowl Walk - Sandy Hook | 2/20 3pm-5pm | American Littoral Society (Highlands) | info

Meant to Be Exhibition | 2/20 8am-4pm | Middletown Arts Center (Middletown) | info

Butterfly Bloom Mixed Media Workshop | 2/20 6pm-8pm | Sun Moon Studio (Keyport) | info

Workshop: Paint Like Jackson Pollock | 2/21 1pm-3pm | Over the Moon Art Studios (Asbury Park) | info

Intro to Watercolor | 2/21 2pm-4pm, 6pm-8pm | Sun Moon Studio (Keyport) | info

All History is Local: The Role of Black and Indigenous Peoples in the Revolution | 2/21 3pm-4pm | Ocean Twp. Library (Ocean Twp.) | info

Workshop: Collage Party | 2/22 11am-1pm | Asbury Park Art Club (Asbury Park) | info

Workshop: Blindfolded Painting | 2/22 1pm-3pm | Over the Moon Art Studios (Asbury Park) | info

🎭️ THEATER, CINEMA & COMEDY

Sinners (Cinema) | 2/20 6:45pm | Basie Center Cinemas (Red Bank) | info

Lil' Mo Mozzarella (Comedy) | 2/20 7pm | House of Independents (Asbury Park) | info

Don't Tell Comedy | 2/20 7pm, 9pm | The Showroom (Asbury Park) | info

Laugh Lab at Brookdale (Improv Comedy) | 2/20 7pm-8pm | Brookdale PAC (Lincroft) | info

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Cinema) | 2/20 10pm | Basie Center Cinemas (Red Bank) | info

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest | 2/20, 2/21 F 8pm, S 2pm | Algonquin Theater (Manasquan) | info

Samantha Inside Out | 2/20-2/22 S 2pm, 7pm, Su 2pm | New Jersey Repertory Company (Long Branch) | info

The Wedding Singer | 2/20-2/22 F 7:30pm, S 2pm, 7:30pm, Su 2pm | Spring Lake Theater (Spring Lake) | info

Disney's The Little Mermaid | 2/20-2/22 F/S 7:30pm, Su 4:30pm | Count Basie-HMH Theater (Red Bank) | info

2026 Oscar Nominated Shorts: Animation (Cinema) | 2/20-2/22 F 7:30pm, S 2pm, 7:30pm, Su 2:45pm | The Showroom (Asbury Park) | info

2026 Oscar Nominated Shorts: Documentary (Cinema) | 2/20-2/22 F 7pm, S 4pm, Su 2pm | The Showroom (Asbury Park) | info

2026 Oscar Nominated Shorts: Live Action (Cinema) | 2/21, 2/22 S 1:30pm, 4:30pm, 7:15pm, Su 2:15pm | The Showroom (Asbury Park) | info

2026 Oscar Nominated Shorts: Animation (Cinema) | 2/21 12pm | Basie Center Cinemas (Red Bank) | info

2026 Oscar Nominated Shorts: Live Action (Cinema) | 2/21 4:15pm | Basie Center Cinemas (Red Bank) | info

2026 Oscar Nominated Shorts: Documentary (Cinema) | 2/21 6:30pm | Basie Center Cinemas (Red Bank) | info

Sloppy Joe’s Comedy Club | 2/21 6:30pm-10pm | Fred & Murry’s Deli (Freehold) | info

A Raisin in the Sun | 2/21, 2/22 S 3pm, 8pm, Su 4pm | Middletown Arts Center (Middletown) | info

A Doll's House | 2/21, 2/22 S 8pm, Su 3pm | Two River Theater (Red Bank) | info

2026 Oscar Nominated Shorts: Live Action (Cinema) | 2/22 Su 2:15pm | The Showroom (Asbury Park) | info

Fruitvale Station (Cinema) | 2/22 7:30pm | Basie Center Cinemas (Red Bank) | info

Last of the Red Hot Lovers | 2/21, 2/22 S 7:30pm, Su 2:30pm | First Ave Playhouse (Atl. Highlands) | info

 🎸 LIVE MUSIC 🎙️ 

Asbury Park Music Awards | 2/20 7:30pm-11:30pm | The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) | info

DJ Meredith Marks: The Naughty & Ice Tour | 2/20 7pm | Asbury Lanes (Asbury Park) | info

A Farewell to Kings-The Music of RUSH | 2/20 7:30pm | Count Basie-The Vogel (Red Bank) | info

Apres Ski Party | 2/21 1pm-5pm | The Asbury Hotel (Asbury Park) | info

Madhavi Devi Live | 2/21 4pm | Transparent Clinch Gallery (Asbury Park) | info

Kevin Hill and Joe McGuth: An Evening of Visual and Musical Healing | 2/21 5pm | The Showroom (Asbury Park) | info

The Aguilar Family Band | 2/21 7pm | The Wonder Bar (Asbury Park) | info

Suit & Mai Tai: The Ultimate Yacht Rock Experience | 2/21 7pm | The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) | info

Lilies of David Album Release Party | 2/21 7pm | Asbury Lanes (Asbury Park) | info

Lisa Sherman's Disco Connection | 2/21 7:30pm | Count Basie-The Vogel (Red Bank) | info

Music That Changed America-Celebrating Black History Month | 2/22 2pm-3pm | Shrewsbury Library (Shrewsbury) | info

Good Terms | 2/22 6pm | House of Independents (Asbury Park) | info

 🏀 SPORTS & FITNESS 🏃‍♂️

Colors of Courage Cocoa 5k | 2/22 9:45am | 2700 Allaire Rd. (Wall) | info

Monmouth U. Women's LAX vs Youngstown State | 2/22 12pm | Monmouth U. (W. Long Branch) | info

Monmouth U. Men's Tennis vs Binghamton | 2/22 6pm | Park Ave Tennis Center (Oakhurst) | info

🌊 ☀️ BEACH

Asbury Park - Ocean Temp. 36°F 

Fri 2/20: Low 2:52am | High 8:56am | Low 3:06pm | High 9:19pm | Sunrise 6:44am | Sunset 5:38pm

Sat 2/21: Low 3:36am | High 9:42am | Low 3:44pm | High 10:06pm | Sunrise 6:42am | Sunset 5:39pm

Sun 2/22: Low 4:23am | High 10:35am | Low 4:27pm | High 10:59pm | Sunrise 6:41am | Sunset 5:40pm