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Good morning Monmouth County! We have a pretty serious weekend ahead of us. From Derby Day festivities to the Made in Monmouth event to opening night at Wall Stadium, it’s a full dance card. We hope to see you out there!
Let’s Gooo!!
~ Amanda & Rob
Today’s Buzz 🐝
🏎 Wall Stadium Opening Night
🍯 Spring Made in Monmouth
📖 A Weekend in Old Monmouth
🍝 La Bocca Cucina Italiana in Manasquan
🎥 Film Ready Communities
🎨 Ocean Grove Spring Fling
💝 One Life to Love Charity Gala
🏇 Derby Day at Monmouth Park
🎭 Beautiful - The Carol King Musical
🎸 Roger McGuinn at Pollak Theater
🏃♀ Run With Lions 5k
⚾ Blue Claws, Monmouth U, and Brookdale Baseball
🌊 Ocean Temp/Tides
📰 NEWS
🧺 Spring Made in Monmouth
Spring Made in Monmouth returns to Brookdale Community College this Saturday, May 2, offering a premier showcase of the county’s vibrant entrepreneurial spirit. This free-to-attend event is a signature initiative by the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, designed specifically to promote local manufacturers and artisans. From handcrafted jewelry and home décor to gourmet food items and custom apparel, every product on display is created right here in our backyard. It serves as a vital platform for small businesses to gain exposure and for residents to discover high-quality, locally sourced goods.
The event not only boosts the local economy but also strengthens community ties by connecting creators directly with their neighbors. Held in the Robert J. Collins Arena in Lincroft, the expo typically hosts over 200 vendors, making it one of the largest seasonal shopping events in the region. Whether you are looking for a unique Mother’s Day gift or simply want to support the "shop local" movement, the Spring Made in Monmouth expo provides a family-friendly atmosphere that celebrates the ingenuity and hard work of Monmouth County’s diverse business community.
💝 One Life to Love Charity Gala
One Life to Love is a transformative non-profit organization founded by Brick native Courtney Deacon Lalotra and dedicated to serving the "unseen" children of India—those living on the streets and children with profound mental and physical disabilities. By operating a specialized children’s home, the charity provides a permanent sanctuary where residents receive high-quality medical care, personalized education, and consistent emotional support. Their mission centers on restoring dignity to children who have been abandoned or marginalized, ensuring they are not just surviving, but thriving in a nurturing environment that feels like a family.
Their upcoming Annual Gala, scheduled for May 7, 2026, serves as a vital cornerstone for the organization’s continued growth and success. This inspirational evening brings together a global community of supporters to celebrate the milestones of the children in their care and to raise the necessary funds for expanding their outreach programs. Attendees can look forward to a night of storytelling and impact, directly contributing to the life-saving resources and educational opportunities that define the charity’s work. For those looking to be a part of this transformative mission, detailed event registration and ticket information can be found at the official info link.
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🎡 FAMILY
Spring Fun Run & Fishing Derby | 5/2 9am-2pm | Camp Zehnder (Wall) | info
Wall Touch-A-Truck RESCHEDULED | 5/2 10am-2pm | Wall Community Park (Wall) | info
Tiny Hands Studio | 5/2 10am | Sun Moon Studio (Keyport) | info
Dinosaur Festival LAST WEEKEND! | 5/1-5/3 10am-5pm | Arrowhead Farmstead (Manalapan) | info
Spring Family Fun Day & Antique Car Show | 5/3 10am-3pm | Patterson Greenhouses (Freehold) | info
The Monmouth Moms Spring Festival | 5/3 11am-3pm | Bell Works (Holmdel) | info
Galactic Brunch | 5/3 11am-2pm | The Bistro- iPlay America (Freehold) | info
📍 LOCAL EVENTS
🎨 Ocean Grove Spring Fling
The Ocean Grove Spring Fling Arts and Crafts Show returns this Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., transforming the historic streets of Main Avenue and Pilgrim Pathway into a vibrant open-air gallery. Sponsored by the Ocean Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, this juried event strictly features handmade goods from over 100 regional artists and makers, ensuring a unique selection of one-of-a-kind jewelry, home décor, and textiles. Visitors can enjoy live musical performances throughout the day and a variety of local food offerings, all set against the backdrop of the town’s iconic Victorian architecture and just steps away from the Atlantic Ocean. info
🔭 Looking Ahead
2026 Manasquan Driveway Crawl | 5/16 2pm-5:30pm | Various locations (Manasquan) | info
One Life to Love Charity Event | 5/7 6pm-10pm | The Renaissance (Ocean Twp) | info
2 Day Town-Wide Yard Sale | 5/2-5/3 8am-2pm | Various locations (Highlands) | info
Manasquan Town-Wide Garage Sale | 5/2-5/3 9am-6pm | Various locations (Manasquan) | info
Belmar Spring Town Wide Yard Sale | 5/2-5/3 9am-4pm | Various locations (Belmar) | info
Matawan Town-Wide Garage Sale | 5/2 9am-1pm | Various locations (Matawan) | info
Allentown Library Book Sale | 5/1-5/2 Fri 1pm-5pm, Sat 10am-2pm | Allentown Library (Allentown) | info
Howell Book Sale | 5/1 1pm-5pm | Howell Library (Howell) | info
Colts Neck Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale | 5/2-5/3 Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 10am-3pm | Colts Neck Library (Colts Neck) | info
Natural Beach Clean-up | 5/2 10am-1pm | Belmar Fishing Club (Belmar) | info
Wall Stadium Opening Night! | 5/2 6pm | Wall Stadium (Wall) | info
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🕺 JUST FUN
Blowouts, Brims, Botox, Bridal and Babe Worthy OUTFITS! | 5/1 12pm-5pm | Drybar Wall (Wall) | info
Asbury Park Ghost Tour | 5/1-5/2 8pm | The Paranormal Museum (Asbury Park) | info
U-Pick Tulips: Spring Spectacular LAST WEEKEND! | 5/1-5/3 9am-5pm | Holland Ridge Farms (Cream Ridge) | info
The New Jersey Reptile & Exotic Animal Show | 5/2-5/3 9am-4pm | VFW Post 2179 (Port Monmouth) | info
Spring Craft Fair & Flea Market | 5/2 9am-2pm | First Presbyterian Church of Matawan (Matawan) | info
Made in Monmouth County | 5/2 10am-4pm | Brookdale CC (Lincroft) | info
Spring Fling Arts & Crafts Festival | 5/2 10am-4pm | Auditorium Square Park (Ocean Grove) | info
Kentucky Derby Viewing Party | 5/2 10:30am-4pm | Monmouth Park (Oceanport) | info
Tales of the Jersey Devil Walking Tour | 5/2 1:30pm | The Paranormal Museum (Asbury Park) | info
Kentucky Derby Cruise | 5/2 4:45pm-7:45pm | Seastreak (Highlands) | info
Bingo Loco SOLD OUT | 5/2 5pm & 9pm | House of Independents (Asbury Park) | info
Collingwood Craft Show | 5/2-5/3 8am-3pm | Collingwood Flea Market (Farmingdale) | info
Asbury Park Punk Rock Flea Market | 5/3 11am-5pm | Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel (Asbury Park) | info
🍔 FOOD & 🍹 DRINK
🍝 La Bocca Cucina Italiana in Manasquan
New this year to the always-exciting Manasquan/Brielle dining scene, La Bocca Cucina Italiana is BYOB on Taylor Ave, bringing the area a refined slice of Sicily. Under the expert guidance of Executive Chef Jack D’Angelo and his son Gioacchino, La Bocca specializes in an "authentic elegance" that balances time-honored family recipes with modern culinary flair. Patrons frequently rave about signature offerings like the slow-cooked eggplant soufflé, the rack of lamb with mint-balsamic reduction, and their meticulously crafted house-made pastas. Whether you’re visiting for their popular three-course midweek special or a weekend dinner in their newly renovated, cozy dining room, the atmosphere remains dedicated to the D’Angelo family’s philosophy: where every guest is known and every dish reflects a deep-rooted heritage. info
🔭 Looking Ahead
Cocktail Class | 5/14 6pm | Asbury Park Distillery (Asbury Park) | info
9th Annual Brewing Awareness for Autism | 5/1 6pm-9pm | Bakes Brewing Co. (Wall) | info
Food Trucks at Holland Ridge Farms! | 5/1-5/3 9am-6pm | Holland Ridge Farms (Cream Ridge) | info
4 JG's Opening Weekend! | 5/2 12pm-6pm | 4JG's Vineyard (Colts Neck) | info
Highlands Fiesta De Mayo | 5/2 12pm-5pm | Huddy Park (Highlands) | info
What The Fork Food Truck | 5/2 12pm-7pm | Tall Oaks Farm + Brewery (Colts Neck) | info
Slick Strong Lupus Fundraiser | 5/2 1pm-4pm | Twin Lights Brewing (Tinton Falls) | info
Mexi-Boys Food Truck | 5/2 & 5/3 1pm-8pm | Bakes Brewing Co. (Wall) | info
Colts Neck Lions Club Derby Day Tasting Event | 5/2 4pm-7:30pm | Bucks Mill Rec Area (Colts Neck) | info
Brewer's Derby | 5/2 4pm | Alternate Ending Beer Co. (Aberdeen) | info
Asbury Fresh Farmers & Makers Market | 5/3 9am-2pm | Press Plaza (Asbury Park) | info
Taste of Napoli Food Truck | 5/3 12pm-7pm | Tall Oaks Farm + Brewery (Colts Neck) | info
🎨 ART, HISTORY & EDUCATION
📖 A Weekend in Old Monmouth
A Weekend in Old Monmouth returns this Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3, inviting residents to explore the county’s deep historical roots through a massive coordinated open house. In honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary, this year’s tour features 59 historic sites—ranging from Revolutionary War landmarks like the Covenhoven House to local treasures like the InfoAge Science and History Museums in Wall. Organized by the Monmouth County Historical Commission, the event waives all admission fees for the weekend, providing a rare opportunity for families and history buffs to step inside privately maintained or normally restricted sites across our various municipalities. info
The tour is designed as a self-guided experience, with sites open on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m to 5 p.m. To help visitors navigate the expansive list, the county has organized the locations into four color-coded routes—Purple, Blue, Green, and Orange—accessible via an interactive digital map. Nearly half of the participating locations date back to the Revolutionary era, and many are hosting special exhibits or costumed demonstrations specifically for this milestone year. Whether you're visiting the Allaire Historic Village nearby or trekking out to the Twin Lights in Highlands, the weekend serves as a powerful reminder of Monmouth County's pivotal role in the founding of the United States. info
First Fridays Art & Sound at Press Plaza | 5/1 5pm-9pm | Over The Moon Art Studios (Asbury Park) | info
Lenape Heritage - Indigenous Peoples' Storytelling | 5/1 2pm-3pm | Middletown Library (Middletown) | info
FREE Figure Drawing Workshop Ages 12+ | 5/1 4pm-6pm | Art 629 Gallery (Asbury Park) | info
Garden State Watercolor Society Juried Exhibition | 5/1-5/3 9am-5pm | Middletown Arts Center (Middletown) | info
Weekend in Old Monmouth | 5/2-5/3 Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12pm-5pm | Various locations (Monmouth County) | info
Opening Reception- The Cardboard Show | 5/2 12pm | Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) | info
Cookstove Demonstration | 5/2 11am-3pm | Historic Longstreet Farm (Holmdel) | info
Embroidery Demonstration | 5/2 1pm-3pm | Historic Longstreet Farm (Holmdel) | info
Spinning, Knitting & Weaving Demonstration | 5/2 11am-4pm | Hendrickson House (Holmdel) | info
Guided Beach Nature Walk | 5/2 10am-11am | Leonardo State Marina Nature Center (Leonardo) | info
Author Event: Michelle Fishkin – “Aiden” | 5/2 11am-1pm | The Book House (Long Branch) | info
Natural Dyeing Demonstration | 5/3 11am-4pm | Hendrickson House (Holmdel) | info
Wood-Burning Workshop | 5/3 11am-1pm | Over The Moon Art Studios (Asbury Park) | info
Mother’s Day/Teacher Appreciation Art Workshop | 5/3 12:30pm-2pm | Crayola Imagine Arts Academy of Monmouth (Red Bank) | info
Author Presentation & Signing | 5/3 5pm | Asbury Book Cooperative (Asbury Park) | info
A Time Within a Time: Juried Art Exhibition | 5/1-5/3 10am-4pm | Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) | info
Holmes-Hendrickson House Tours | 5/2-5/3 12pm-3pm | Historic Longstreet Farm (Holmdel) | info
🎭 THEATER, CINEMA & COMEDY
🎥 Film Ready Communities
The Film Ready designation is rapidly becoming a mark of distinction for municipalities across Monmouth County, as local leaders look to capitalize on New Jersey’s burgeoning motion picture and television industry. The "Film Ready New Jersey" program, spearheaded by the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission, provides a certification for towns that have proactively established clear local filming policies, streamlined the permitting process, and designated official liaisons for production crews. By removing the bureaucratic red tape that often complicates location scouting, these communities—ranging from the coastal charm of Asbury Park to the historic streets of Freehold—are positioning themselves as premier backdrops for major studio productions and independent films alike.
For local residents and business owners, this certification represents more than just a brush with Hollywood; it is a significant economic engine that drives revenue directly into the county. When a production moves into a "Film Ready" community, it brings an immediate influx of spending at local hotels, restaurants, and hardware stores, while often hiring local residents for background work and technical support. Beyond the immediate financial boost, being featured on screen serves as a powerful marketing tool, elevating the profile of Monmouth County’s unique landmarks and scenic vistas to a global audience. As more towns join this growing network, the county is solidifying its reputation as a vital hub within the "East Coast Hollywood" ecosystem.
Sins of the Mother | 5/1-5/3 Fri 2pm, 7pm, Sat 2pm, 7pm, Sun 2pm | NJ Repertory Co. (Long Branch) | info
Beautiful- The Carol King Musical | 5/1-5/3 Fri 7:30pm, Sat 2pm, 7:30pm, Sun 2pm | Count Basie- HMH Theatre (Red Bank) | info
Daddy Long Legs | 5/1-5/3 Fri 7pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 2pm | JSAC (Ocean Grove) | info
Men ARE Dogs Comedy | 5/1-5/2 7:30pm | First Avenue Playhouse (Atlantic Highlands) | info
Duel of the Decades 80's vs 90's | 5/1 8pm | Count Basie- The Vogel (Red Bank) | info
Middletown Summer Movies- Hamilton | 5/1 8pm-11pm | NJ Transit Big Lot (Middletown) | info
Eugene Onegin | 5/2 1pm | Pollak Theater (W. Long Branch) | info
ComedySportz: New Show Every Week! | 5/2 7pm-9pm | JSAC (Ocean Grove) | info
Comedy Night | 5/3 7:30pm | First Avenue Playhouse (Atlantic Highlands) | info
Cinco de Mayo Celebration | 5/3 5pm | Count Basie- The Vogel (Red Bank) | info
🎸 LIVE MUSIC 🎙
All That Remains- With special guests | 5/1 5pm | The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) | info
100 Years From Today: The Songs of 1926 | 5/1 2pm-3:30pm | Manalapan Library (Manalapan) | info
MILLIONAIRE$ "My Sweet 16" Tour | 5/1 6pm | House of Independents (Asbury Park) | info
Yacht Lobsters | 5/1 8pm | The Wonder Bar (Asbury Park) | info
Roger McGuinn | 5/1 8pm | Pollak Theater (W. Long Branch) | info
Tal Naccarato Unplugged: LIVE! | 5/2 2pm-3pm | Middletown Library (Middletown) | info
Friendships Bloom in Spring | 5/2 2pm-4pm | BAC (Belmar) | info
Songs by Ween | 5/2 7pm | The Wonder Bar (Asbury Park) | info
The Cabaret Café: Broadway Night | 5/2 7pm-8pm | Brookdale PAC (Lincroft) | info
John Eddie- With special guests | 5/2 7pm-11pm | The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) | info
Jimmy Kenny and The Pirate Beach Band | 5/2 7:30pm | Count Basie- The Vogel (Red Bank) | info
Johnny Nameless Live | 5/3 4pm | Transparent Clinch Gallery (Asbury Park) | info
The Southard Grange Playhouse: OPEN MIC NIGHT | 5/3 6pm-9pm | The Grange Playhouse (Howell) | info
The Felice Brothers | 5/3 7pm | The Wonder Bar (Asbury Park) | info
🏃♀ FITNESS/WELLNESS
Run With Lions 5K | 5/2 9am | Cream Ridge Winery (Cream Ridge) | info
Bikes & Beers | 5/2 Various times | Birdsmouth Beer (Oceanport) | info
Hops Trot | 5/2 10:30am | Birdsmouth Beer (Oceanport) | info
Ridge Road Run 5K | 5/3 8am | Red Bank Regional High School (Little Silver) | info
🏀 SPORTS
🏇 First Turn Pavilion at Monmouth Park
Monmouth Park is officially elevating its trackside experience with the debut of the First Turn Pavilion, a premier destination designed to offer racing fans an unparalleled view of the action. Situated strategically at the clubhouse turn, this modern, open-air structure provides a front-row seat to the intensity of the horses breaking from the gate and rounding the first bend. The space seamlessly blends the tradition of the track with contemporary luxury, featuring comfortable lounge seating, dedicated bars, and private wagering tellers. Its proximity to the newly expanded 16,000-square-foot Caesars Sportsbook makes it a central hub for enthusiasts who want to balance the thrill of live Thoroughbred racing with the convenience of a high-tech sports betting environment.
The pavilion is set to be the star attraction this weekend as it hosts the highly anticipated Kentucky Derby Viewing Party on Saturday, May 2. For a $25 admission fee, guests can enjoy a full day of festivities beginning at 10:30 AM, complete with a gourmet buffet served from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM. Whether you are looking for a high-energy spot to watch the "Run for the Roses" or a sophisticated venue for private group events later this summer, the First Turn Pavilion represents the new gold standard for the Oceanport racing scene. It perfectly sets the stage for the track's official Opening Day on May 9, signaling a vibrant new chapter for Monmouth County’s historic sports landmark.
Brookdale CC Softball vs Northampton | 5/1 2:30pm, 4:30pm | Brookdale CC (Lincroft) | info
BlueClaws vs Hudson Valley | 5/1 6:35pm | ShoreTown Ballpark (Lakewood) | info
Monmouth U Baseball vs Northeastern | 5/1-5/3 Fri-Sun Varies | Monmouth U (W. Long Branch) | info
BlueClaws vs Hudson Valley | 5/2 4:05pm | ShoreTown Ballpark (Lakewood) | info
BlueClaws vs Hudson Valley | 5/3 1:05pm | ShoreTown Ballpark (Lakewood) | info
Brookdale CC Baseball vs Ocean CC | 5/3 3:30pm | Brookdale CC (Lincroft) | info
🌊 ☀ BEACH
Asbury Park - Ocean Temp. 50°F
Fri 5/1: Low 1:44am | High 7:49am | Low 1:47pm | High 8:07pm | Sunrise 5:56am | Sunset 7:51pm
Sat 5/2: Low 2:25am | High 8:28am | Low 2:25pm | High 8:43pm | Sunrise 5:55am | Sunset 7:52pm
Sun 5/3: Low 3:05am | High 9:07am | Low 3:01pm | High 9:19pm | Sunrise 5:54am | Sunset 7:53pm
❤ Thank You!
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