Summer fun: N.J. style

BY AMY ROSEN
Staff Writer

Outdoor festivals and fairs signal summer in New Jersey. Here’s a compilation of some major events during June, July and August.

Red Bank Riverfest:

Red Bank’s Riverfest food and musical festival will be held rain or shine at Marine Park, Wharf Avenue, Red Bank, May 31 through June 2. The event will include live music performed on the Rock the River Waterfront stage, handmade items and artwork in Artisan’s Alley, river cruises on the Navesink, and a Children’s Palace with rides, games and activities. Call 732-741-0055 for more information or visit www.redbankriverfest.org.

Stomp The Monster:

Stomp The Monster, a charitable organization that provides financial and other support to cancer patients, their families and caregivers, will host its third annual 5K Run and Festival from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 2 at the Marlboro Recreation Community Center, Wyncrest Road, Marlboro. Festivities will include a 5K run, a 1-mile health walk, a beer garden, a DJ, a youth race, an arcade truck, a glamour truck, a root beer garden and bounce houses, plus food and dessert. For details and to get involved, email [email protected] or visit www.stompthemonster.org.

Metuchen Junebug ArtFest:

The Metuchen Junebug ArtFest, a celebration of the arts, will be held 6-10 p.m. Friday evenings in June (June 7, 14, 21 and 28). The event, hosted by the Metuchen Chamber of Commerce, features a wide array of open-air exhibits, window galleries, interactive art events, open mic sessions and live music performances throughout town. Details: www.junebugartfest.com.

Belmar Seafood Festival:

The Belmar Seafood Festival will be held 4-8 p.m. June 7, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 8, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 9 at Silver Lake Park on 5th and Ocean avenues in Belmar. It will feature seafood from local restaurants, a beer tent and wine garden, a children’s activity tent and live music. Admission is free. A shuttle will be offered to and from the festival at no charge from the Belmar Marina, downtown area and the Belmar train station. Details: www.visitbelmarnj.com.

Jazz and Blues Festivals:

Previously called the Red Bank Jazz and Blues Festival, the newly named Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Festival will host three full-day festivals in three different towns. The first of the three events will be held at Bradley Park, 1300 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, across from Convention Hall, on June 8 from noon to 8 p.m. It will feature a beer garden, arts, crafts, food, lake views and free music. The festival continues at Riverside Park, corner of Maxson Avenue and River Road in Point Pleasant, on July 20 from noon to 8 p.m. The third and final event will take place oceanfront in Long Branch on the Great Lawn at the Promenade on Aug. 24 from noon to 10 p.m., and will include fireworks. All three festivals are free of charge and are rain-or-shine events. Details: www.jerseyshorefestival.org.

N.J. Irish Festival:

The annual New Jersey Irish Festival returns for the 43rd year to Monmouth Park Racetrack, Oceanport, on June 9 from noon to 7 p.m. Entertainment includes live bands and all-day racing. Other events include a 50/50 raffle, ceili and step dancing, food and crafter vendors, a pipe band competition and children’s activities. A Catholic Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. The festival is free with admission to the Monmouth Park. Admission is $3. Details: www.nj-irishfestival.com.

Battle of Monmouth 235th Anniversary:

An event to honor the 235th anniversary of the Battle of Monmouth will held June 15 and 16 at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Route 33, Manalapan, the site of the original battle. The event will feature re-enactment of the Battle of Monmouth as well as the opening of the new visitors center. Details: www.friendsofmonmouth.org.

Monmouth County Horse Show:

The Monmouth County Hunter Horse Show will be held June 15 at the East Freehold Park Showgrounds, Kozloski Road, Freehold Township. Details: 732-741-3847.

Middlesex County Horse Show:

The Middlesex County Horse Show will be held June 20- 23 at the Horse Park of New Jersey, 626 Route 524, Upper Freehold Township. Details: 609-448-3492.

North Brunswick Youth Sports Festival:

The 16th annual Youth Sports Festival will be held June 20-30 on the grounds adjacent to DeVry University, 630 Route 1, North Brunswick. It will feature entertainment, fireworks on both Saturday nights, an elephant show, a bear show, petting zoo, circus, carnival amusements and food.

State Fair Meadowlands:

State Fair Meadowlands, the largest fair in the New York- New Jersey metropolitan area with more than 150 rides and attractions on more than 35 acres of fairgrounds, will return to the Meadowlands Fairgrounds next to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford from June 21 to July 7. In addition to rides and acres of food vendors, the fair will feature free entertainment with an entry ticket, including Circus Maximus, the NBA Nation Tour, animal shows, a Girl-to-Gorilla sideshow, a hypnotist, a hot dog eating contest, and bands ranging from 1960s pop music to country and contemporary rock. Fireworks shows will be held on July 3 and 4. The fair hours are 6 p.m. to midnight on Monday through Thursday, 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays, 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. to midnight on Sundays. On opening Dollar Preview Night, June 21, the fair is open from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. On Thursday, July 4, the fair is open from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m., and on Friday, July 5, from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. Parking is free Monday through Wednesday, and $4 on Thursdays through Sundays and July 3. On opening night, parking is $1. The fair will be offering free shuttle buses from/to Secaucus Junction on Fridays from 6 p.m. to midnight, Saturdays from 4 p.m. to midnight, Sundays from 4 p.m. to midnight, July 3 from 6 p.m. to midnight, and July 4 from 4 p.m. to midnight. Details: www.njfair.com.

SkimBash:

The 10th annual SkimBash contest for skimboarders will be held June 22 and 23 in Belmar at the 18th Avenue Beach entrance. The contest runs for two days, with preliminary heats on Saturday and semifinals/finals on Sunday. Sign-ins start on Saturday at 8 a.m. The contest will end around 5 p.m. on both days. The cost to compete varies by skill level, ranging from $35 to $100. Details: www.skimbash.com.

Oceanfest:

The 23rd annual Oceanfest celebration will be held July 4 on the Ocean Promenade in Long Branch. The all-day familyfriendly festival features waterfront entertainment, food, crafts, cultural events, sand sculptures, characters and a huge fireworks display. Details: 732-222-0400 or www.oceanfestnj.com.

Milltown Magic Fourth of July Celebration:

The annual Milltown Fourth of July parade will kick off at 10 a.m. July 4 (rain date July 6) at Van Liew Avenue and continue down Main Street to East Lincoln to JFK Boulevard, concluding at Violet Terrace. Activities will include an apple pie contest, a patriotic-house contest, fishing derby, a fun run, a 5K run, a hot dog eating contest, music, vendors, and more. Fireworks will finish off the celebration at 9:30 p.m. at Borough Park, located at 80 Violet Terrace. Details: www.facebook.com/milltown4thofjuly.

Keyport Fireman’s Fair:

July 8-13 at Fireman’s Park, West Front Street, Keyport. Details: www.visitkeyport.com.

Ocean County Fair:

The Ocean County Fair will be held July 9-14 at Robert J. Miller Air Park, located on Route 530 in Berkeley Township. The fair’s hours vary throughout the week. On Tuesday through Thursday, the fair will be open at 5-11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $7, and children under 10 enter for free. Entertainment includes an appearance from the Howling Woods farm wolves, a performance by After the Reign, an open horse show, and various 4-H activities. Details: www.oceancountyfair.com.

Freedom Fest State Fair:

Freedom Fest brings live music, agricultural shows, craft vendors and fireworks on July 9-14. Live entertainment will include the Marshall Tucker Band. The fair will take place at the Horse Park of New Jersey, 626 Route 524 (Exit 11 off I- 195) in Upper Freehold Township. Call 609-610-0910 or visit www.freedomfeststatefair.com.

Bradley Beach Lobster Festival:

The Bradley Beach Lobster Festival will be presented by the Bradley Beach Chamber of Commerce 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 13 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 14 at 500 Ocean Ave., Bradley Beach. The free event will feature more lobsters than ever before, cooked a variety of ways, six bands, a DJ, more than 100 craft and specialty vendors, two beer and wine gardens, a giant waterslide, children’s rides, face painters and sand art. Details: www.bblobsterfest.com.

Carnevale Italiano:

The annual Carnevale Italiano is held the third week of July at Route 130 and Apple Orchard Lane in North Brunswick.

Monmouth County Fair:

The Monmouth County Agricultural Fair returns to the East Freehold Showgrounds on July 24-28. Events planned include 4-H events, animal shows and exhibits, all-new rides, food/snack vendors, commercial vendors, and Bwana Jim’s Wildlife Show. There will be fireworks on Wednesday, and each night will feature live performing bands. Admission is $7 for guests ages 12 and over. The fair will be open 5-11 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Details: www.monmouthcountyparks.com

Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning:

The Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning, a hot air balloon and music festival held annually at Solberg Airport, 39 Thor Solberg Road, Readington, will be held July 26 from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., July 27 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and July 28 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. The festival will feature twice-daily mass ascensions (weather permitting) of over 100 special shape and sport hot air balloons, headlining concerts, nonstop family entertainment, hundreds of crafters and vendors, food, fireworks, a balloon glow, a 5K run and more. Admission at the gate is $30, and $15 for children ages 4-12. Discounted advance tickets are available. Balloon rides are $200 per person in the morning and $225 per person in the afternoon. Details: www.balloonfestival.com or call 800-HOT-AIR-9.

$1 million Haskell Invitational:

The $1 million Haskell Invitational features the nation’s top 3-year-old thoroughbreds racing in the richest invitational in America. It will be held at Monmouth Park, Oceanport Avenue, Oceanport, on July 28. Gates open early at 10 a.m., with the first post at noon. Grandstand admission is $5, and clubhouse is $8. Reserved seats are available for an additional charge. Call 732-571-5563 for reservations. Details: www.monmouthpark.com.