Good morning Monmouth County! The first week of August has a lot of fun in store but the forecast looks a little soggy. We’ll post updates on our social media as we get them so stay tuned.

🎡 Keyport Fireman’s Fair

👮‍♂ National Night Out

🍕 Pizza-flation

🇮🇹 Ocean Italian Festival

🍗 Buffalo Wild Wings in Hazlet

👻 Haunted Pub Tour

🎭 Chelsea Handler at Count Basie

🎸 Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms, Spin Doctors

🎸 Donavon Frankenreiter

⚽ Monmouth U. Women’s Soccer

🏀 Jersey Shore Basketball League

🧘 Yoga for Beginners

🌊 Ocean Temp/Tides

This Tuesday you can find National Night Out events all across Monmouth County. If we haven’t listed your specific town’s event in the “Local” section, check your municipal police department’s social media or website for more information.

National Night Out is designed to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. The initiative transforms local parks into vibrant gathering spaces. From touch-a-truck exhibits and K-9 demonstrations to live music and bounce houses, towns throughout Monmouth County create family-friendly atmospheres where neighbors can interact with local first responders.

Municipalities across the county host distinct events that showcase the spirit of their individual communities. In Asbury Park, the festivities take over Springwood Avenue Park with dunk tanks, music, and free food, while Freehold Borough gathers downtown at the Hall of Records for games, bicycle raffles, and refreshments. Coastal towns like Long Branch and Eatontown similarly draw crowds with community vendor tables, interactive games, and live entertainment.

Badge & Bark: Monmouth County K-9 Teams Up Close | 8/3 | 10am-11am | Shrewsbury Library, Shrewsbury | info

Keyport Fireman's Fair | 8/4-8/8 | 6pm-10pm | Fireman's Park, Keyport | info

Tot Dance Downtown | 8/5 | 6pm-7pm | Hall of Records, Freehold | info

Live Alpaca Visit! | 8/5 | 4pm-4:45pm | Howell Library, Howell | info

NJ Bubble Party | 8/6 | 10:30am-11:15am | Marlboro Library, Marlboro | info

WILD Jersey - Gemstone Dig | 8/6 | 3:30pm-4pm | Atl. Highlands Library, Atlantic Highlands | info

Free Movies Under the Stars: Lilo & Stitch | 8/6 | 6:30pm | Howell, Howell | info

Camp Zehnder: T-Rex Takeover | 8/6 | 6pm-9pm | Camp Zehnder, Wall | 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

Eatontown National Night Out | 8/4 | 5pm-8pm | Wolcott Park, Eatontown | info

Neptune National Night Out | 8/4 | 5pm-8pm | Midtown Elementary School, Neptune | info

Wall National Night Out | 8/4 | 5pm-8pm | Wall Police Headquarters, Wall | info

Manasquan National Night Out | 8/4 | 5:30pm-8pm | Squan Plaza, Manasquan | info

Fair Haven National Night Out | 8/4 | 6pm-8pm | Community Center- 35 Fisk Street, Fair Haven | info

Freehold National Night Out | 8/4 | 6pm-9pm | Hall of Records Parking Lot, Freehold | info

Long Branch National Night Out | 8/4 | 6pm-9pm | Slocum Park, Long Branch | info

Red Bank National Night Out | 8/4 | 6pm-9pm | Count Basie Park, Red Bank | info

Mobile County Connection | 8/5 | 10am-1pm | Holmdel Library, Holmdel | info

Beachfront Dance Lessons | 8/4 | 6pm-8pm | 5th Ave Gazebo, Bradley Beach | info

Asbury Park Ghost's of the Boardwalk Tour (Dog Friendly) | 8/4, 8/6 | 6:30pm | Bradley Park, Asbury Park | info

Spring Lake Summer Nights | 8/5 | 5pm-8pm | Downtown, Spring Lake | info

Line Dancing Under the Stars | 8/5 | 6pm-8pm | Carousel Stage - Pier Village, Long Branch | info

Movies on the Beach: Footloose | 8/5 | 9:30pm | 7th Ave Beach, Belmar | info

U-Pick Blueberries, Blackberries, Sunflowers, Zinnias/Cosmos | 8/5, 8/6 | Wed-Sun 10am-5pm | Happy Day Farm, Manalapan | info

Adult Jewelry Making | 8/6 | 5:30pm-6:30pm | Middletown Library, Middletown | info

Tiers & Cheers by Bee Stamped by Dawn | 8/6 | 6pm-8pm | Bakes Brewing Co., Wall | info

Sea Glass Art Workshop | 8/6 | 6pm-8pm | Skinny Flowers Brewing, Oceanport | info

Middletown Summer Movies: Ferris Bueller's Day Off | 8/6 | 8pm | Mater Dei Football Field, Middletown | info

Asbury Park Ghost Tour Ghost's & Legends Downtown Tour | 8/6 | 8pm | Paranormal Museum, Asbury Park | info

We know we’re not exactly splitting the atom when we say it feels like the high cost of prepared food is just a new reality we’ve awoken to. Suddenly a sandwich is $14 and that’s all there is to it. But one specific and beloved culinary niche has been really giving us sticker shock recently; the cost of a simple pizza pie. After topping, tax, and tip, two quality pies comes with a receipt for like $60!! So we did a little digging; not that that does anything for the price. But maybe understanding what’s driving the higher costs can help us feel better about it instead of just chalking it up to the exploitative whims of our corporate overlords.

The steady climb in pizza prices is primarily driven by compounding supply-side expenses across core ingredients and daily operations. Mozzarella cheese—which accounts for up to 40% of a pie's ingredient cost—along with flour, tomatoes, and cooking oils, have all seen sustained price pressure. Beyond the pantry, pizzerias face escalating operational overhead. Commercial deck ovens demand high energy consumption, cardboard packaging costs remain elevated, and a competitive labor market has pushed kitchen and counter wages up significantly across the food service industry.

Add to that, the shift toward third-party ordering platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats has further amplified the price tag for consumers. Because these delivery services charge commission fees often ranging between 15% and 30%, many independent operators are forced to mark up their app-based menu items to protect slim profit margins. When paired with standard service charges, delivery fees, and tips, a standard family takeaway order quickly swells. To manage these rising expenses, shop owners frequently advise ordering directly over the phone or through native websites to keep local pizza night relatively affordable.

Stretch Your Pizza Dollar: Smart Hacks for a Cheaper Pizza Night

Feeding a crowd or satisfying a weekend craving doesn't have to slice into your budget if you know how to order strategically. One of the single best ways to cut costs is using simple geometry: ordering one large pie instead of two medium pies gets you significantly more food per dollar, especially when you split different toppings half-and-half. You can instantly wipe out up to 30% of your total bill by skipping third-party delivery apps in favor of carryout, which avoids marked-up menu prices, delivery fees, and tips while giving you access to exclusive pickup coupons. To save even more, buy drinks and side salads from the grocery store, stick to pre-set specialty pies instead of paying a premium for individual à la carte toppings, and always check the pizzeria’s native app for reward points and hidden daily specials before placing your order.

Buffalo Wild Wings Grand Opening | 8/3 | 9am | Buffalo Wild Wings, Hazlet | info

Bell Works Fresh | 8/5 | 11am-4pm | Bell Works, Holmdel | info

Taste the Rainbow: Summer Pop-Up! Kds Class | 8/5 | 12:30pm-3pm | Taste and Technique, Fair Haven | info

Lake Como Farmers Market | 8/5 | 3pm-7pm | Main St/North Blvd, Lake Como | info

Tall Oaks Farm & Makers Market | 8/5 | 4pm-8pm | Tall Oaks Farm & Brewery, Farmingdale | info

Ocean Italian Festival | 8/5-8/9 | M-S 5pm-11pm, Su 4pm-10pm | Joe Palaia Park, Oakhurst | info

Cork & Explore: Wine Tasting Experience | 8/5 | 6pm-8pm | Avenue - Pier Village, Long Branch | info

Pizza and Pasta Making- Adult Class, WAITLIST | 8/5 | 6:30pm-9pm | Taste and Technique, Fair Haven | info

Haunted Pub Tour | 8/5 | 7:30pm | Paranormal Museum, Asbury Park | info

West End Farmers Market | 8/6 | 9am-2pm | West End Park, Long Branch | info

Wall Farmers Market | 8/6 | 2pm-7pm | 1900 Baileys Corner Rd, Wall | info

Bakes Brewing Co. at Wall Farmers Market | 8/6 | 2pm-7pm | 1900 Baileys Corner Rd, Wall | info

Meet Me on Main | 8/6 | 6pm-10pm | Main Street, Manasquan | info

Cucina del Sole- Adult Class | 8/6 | 6:30pm-9pm | Taste and Technique, Fair Haven | info

Seining Along Sandy Hook Bay | 8/3, 8/5 | 11am-12pm | Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth | info

Junior Ranger Angler Fishing Program 10-16yrs CLASS FULL | 8/3 | 10:30am-1:30pm | 18 Hartshorne Dr, Highlands | info

Tour of the Great Auditorium | 8/3-8/6 | 12:30pm, 1:15pm | The Hub, Ocean Grove | info

A Presentation by Robert Fishman on The Gilded Age in Long Branch | 8/3 | 6pm-8pm | Arts & Cultural Center, Long Branch | info

Whaleboat Warriors: The Privateers of Raritan Bay and Matawan Creek | 8/3 | 6:30pm | Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center, Aberdeen | info

ASMC 2026 Summer Art Show & Sale | 8/3-8/28 | Mon-Sun 9am-5pm | Middletown Arts Center, Middletown | info

Tidal Tuesday's - Seining at Fisherman's Cove | 8/4 | 11am-12pm | Fisherman's Cove, Manasquan | info

Fight Back Against Mosquitoes | 8/4 | 4pm-4:30pm | Hazlet Library, Hazlet | info

Murdered in Monmouth County | 8/4 | 6pm-7pm | Wall Library, Wall | info

The Blues: The World's Most Successful Folk Music | 8/4 | 6pm-7:30pm | Manalapan Library, Manalapan | info

New Jersey Shipwrecks: A Lecture | 8/4 | 7pm-8pm | Middletown Library, Middletown | info

Tuesday Night Record Club: Meat Loaf, Bat Out of Hell | 8/4 | 7:30pm | Monmouth University, W. Long Branch | info

Nature Drawing in Jackson Woods | 8/5 | 12:30pm-2:30pm | Jackson Woods, Long Branch | info

Boat Tours of the Manasquan River | 8/5 | 2pm, 3pm, 4pm | Manasquan Reservoir, Howell | info

"My Irish Heart" - Glenn Cashion Author Visit | 8/5 | 6pm-7pm | Manalapan Library, Manalapan | info

Fishing 101 - A Beginner's Guide to Fishing | 8/6 | 8am-12pm | Manasquan Reservoir, Howell | info

Life in a Freshwater Pond | 8/6 | 11am-12pm | Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen | info

Phonograph DJ MAC: An Antique Phonograph Experience | 8/6 | 7pm-8:30pm | Atl. Highlands Library, Atlantic Highlands | info

Sunset Fish Survey Event of Sandy Hook Bay | 8/6 | 7:30pm | Sandy Hook Beach - Parking Lot C, Highlands | info

Human Thread: The Art of Compassion and Courage Exhibit | 6/4-8/10 | Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm | Caroline Huber Wellness Center at Brookdale CC, Lincroft | info

Waves Across Time Exhibit | 7/21-8/21 | Mon-Fri 9am-10pm, Sat/Sun 9am-7pm | MCA- Pollak Gallery, W. Long Branch | info

The Sun, My Heart Exhibit: Tea Meditation & Meet the Artist | 6/18-9/3 | Mon-Fri 10am-5pm | ArtSpace, Red Bank | info

New Jersery’s own Chelsea Handler is set to bring her savage stand-up to Red Bank when her The High And Mighty Tour lands at the Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center for the Arts on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 8:00 PM. Fans are guaranteed an evening of raw, unfiltered observations, candid personal stories, and quick-witted commentary that have made the former host of Chelsea Lately a home-grown icon.

Spring Awakening | 7/31-8/16 | Fri/Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2pm | Holmdel Theater Company, Holmdel | info

Legally Blonde Jr. | 7/31-8/1 | Fri 7pm, Sat 2pm, 7pm | Middletown Arts Center, Middletown | info

Bards - Poetry | 8/3 | 7pm-10pm | My Way Café, Long Branch | info

Play Readings: Talley's Folley | 8/3 | 7pm | The American Hotel, Freehold | info

Staged Reading - The Sisters Frankenstein | 8/3 | 7pm | NJ Repertory Co., Long Branch | info

Open Mic Poetry - Echoes and/or Micro-Poetry | 8/5 | 7pm-8:30pm | Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft | info

Police Academy w/ Michael Winslow ,Live Comedy & Talkback | 8/5 | 7:30pm | SModcastle Cinemas, Atlantic Highlands | info

Driving Miss Daisy TENANT EVENT | 8/6 | Cocktail Hour 5pm, Dress Rehersal 6:30pm | Bell Theater, Holmdel | info

FesteJo: Celebrating Latine Stories Onstage - Kickoff Celebration | 8/6 | Th 5pm | Two River Theater, Red Bank | info

FesteJo: Celebrating Latine Stories Onstage - 1898 | 8/6 | Th 7pm | Two River Theater, Red Bank | info

Open Mic Night | 8/6 | 7pm | Count Basie- Cinema House, Red Bank | info

Juston McKinney | 8/6 | 7:30pm | Count Basie- The Vogel, Red Bank | info

Chelsea Handler: The High and Mighty Tour | 8/6 | 8pm | Count Basie- HMH Theatre, Red Bank | info

FesteJo: Celebrating Latine Stories Onstage | 8/6-8/9 | Various Times | Two River Theater, Red Bank | info

A Change of Position | 8/7 | 7pm | NJ Repertory Co., Long Branch | info

Damn the Torpedoes: Tom Petty Concert Experience | 8/3 | 7pm-8:30pm | Carousel Stage - Pier Village, Long Branch | info

Jazz Art Jam Session | 8/3 | 6pm | Triumph, Red Bank | info

Music Mondays | 8/3 | 6pm-8pm | Springwood Park, Asbury Park | info

Jazz Evenings at Pier Village | 8/4 | 6pm-8pm | Carousel Stage - Pier Village, Long Branch | info

Tuesdays at the Turf Club | 8/4 | 6pm-8pm | The Blackbird Commons, Asbury Park | info

Bands on the Beach: Jimmy Mack | 8/4 | 7pm-9pm | Sea Bright Beach, Sea Bright | info

Donavon Frankenreiter | 8/4 | 7pm | The Stone Pony, Asbury Park | info

Asbury Park Concert Band- Broadway | 8/4 | 7pm-9pm | Arthur Pryor Bandshell, Asbury Park | info

Jimmy Buffet's Coral Reefer Band | 8/4 | 7:30pm | PNC, Holmdel | info

Richard Marx | 8/4 | 7:30pm | Count Basie- HMH Theatre, Red Bank | info

Five Finger Death Punch | 8/5 | 6:45pm | PNC, Holmdel | info

Albert Bouchard/Keith Roth/Full Steen Ahead | 8/5 | 7pm | The Wonder Bar, Asbury Park | info

Summer Jazz & Blues: Kate Curran | 8/5 | 7pm-9pm | Riley Park, Bradley Beach | info

Café Artiste | 8/5 | 7pm-9:30pm | Jersey Shore Arts Center, Ocean Grove | info

Hot Tuna | 8/5 | 7:30pm | Count Basie- HMH Theatre, Red Bank | info

Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms, Spin Doctors | 8/6 | 5pm-10pm | The Stone Pony, Asbury Park | info

Thursdays by the Sea: Motor City Revue | 8/6 | 7pm-8:30pm | Great Lawn Stage, Long Branch | info

Hazlet Concerts in the Park: Pure Petty | 8/6 | 7pm-8:30pm | Veterans Park, Hazlet | info

Colts Neck Sounds of Summer: Black Ties | 8/6 | 7pm-8:30pm | Town Hall, Pondside, Colts Neck | info

Singers & Songwriters on the Beach | 8/6 | 7pm-9pm | Newark Ave Beach, Bradley Beach | info

Manasquan Beach Concerts: Side Hustle | 8/6 | 7pm-10pm | Main Beach, Manasquan | info

Bearly Dead | 8/6 | 7pm | The Wonder Bar, Asbury Park | info

Thursday's Rock! Summer Concert Series | 8/6 | 7:30pm-9:30pm | Hall of Records, Freehold | info

Yoga with Nicole: Lavender Dreams | 8/3 | 6pm-7:30pm | Hazlet Library, Hazlet | info

Yoga for Beginners | 8/3 | 6:30pm-8pm | Manalapan Library, Manalapan | info

Open Heart Yoga on Broadwalk | 8/5 | 5:30pm-6pm | Broadwalk, Red Bank | info

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

The Jersey Shore Basketball League is heading into the thick of postseason play at Manasquan High School as the 2026 regular season wrapped up with top-seeded County Line Auto Body securing an undefeated campaign alongside second-seeded Sterns Trailer. Following the announcement of the league's 2026 regular-season awards, playoff action kicked off with third-seeded Sea View Jeep and fourth-seeded ACI/Robin's Nest picking up quarterfinal victories to advance to the tournament semifinals. Quarterfinal matchups resume early next week, paving the way toward the JSBL championship game scheduled for Thursday, August 6.

MCPS Junior Championship | 8/4 | 9am | Bel-Aire Golf Course, Wall | info

Monmouth U Women's Socer vs. La Salle | 8/5 | 6pm | Hesse Field, W. Long Branch | info

Game Changer Wrestling | 8/6 | 8pm | House of Independents, Asbury Park | info

BlueClaws vs. Frederick | 8/4-8/6 | Tue 6:35pm, Wed 12:05pm, Thur 7:05pm | ShoreTown Ballpark, Lakewood | info

Mon 8/3: Low 4:48am | High 11:09am | Low 5:13pm | High 11:22pm | Sunrise 5:56am | Sunset 8:10pm

Tue 8/4: Low 5:23am | High 11:55am | Low 6:03pm | Sunrise 5:57am | Sunset 8:08pm

Wed 8/5: High 12:14am | Low 6:07am | High 12:46pm | Low 7:10pm | Sunrise 5:58am | Sunset 8:07pm

Thu 8/6: High 1:11am | Low 7:04am | High 1:42pm | Low 8:27pm | Sunrise 5:59am | Sunset 8:06pm