• New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center, will conduct the following drives: July 1, Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Township, 12:30-6:30 p.m.; July 15, Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Township, 12:30-6:30 p.m.; and July 29, Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Township, 12:30-6:30 p.m. To donate blood, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org
• Center Players, in partnership with historic Oakley Farm, will present “An Enchanted Afternoon,” a free community event on June 18 at 4 p.m. at the farm, 189 Wemrock Road, Freehold Township. There will be live musical performances from area artists, including vocalists, musicians and instrumental groups. Attendees are asked to bring a blanket or a lawn chair to the event.
• Green Leaf Pet Resort, Millstone Township, is partnering with big names in the pet care industry to raise money for the CentraState Healthcare Foundation. On June 25 from noon to 6 p.m., Green Leaf Pet Resort will host animal-loving attendees at its Canine Carnival – Paws for a Cause. Proceeds will be donated to the CentraState Healthcare Foundation. Admission is free and all furry, fuzzy and feathered friends are encouraged to attend. There will be carnival games, doggie dock-diving, lure courses, a New Jersey State Police K-9 demonstration, food trucks and more. Details: www.greenleafcaninecarnival.com
• Freehold Borough and the Freehold Borough Recreation Commission will present an Independence Day Concert and Fireworks at Freehold Raceway, Park Avenue, on July 3. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the fireworks will start at dusk. The event is free. Musical entertainment will be provided by the RockNRoll Chorus (5:45 p.m.), Lil Asmar and the Garden State Prodigies (6:20 p.m.) and RockitFish (7:15 p.m.). Kason Jackson will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner.” No pets, coolers or backpacks permitted. Guests may bring blankets and folding beach chairs. All are welcome to attend, For up-to-date information, visit www.freeholdboroughnj.gov
• The Monmouth County Park System will present a Cookstove Demonstration on June 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. See what’s cooking on the woodstove and discover how recipes, cooking techniques and kitchens have changed since the 1890s. Free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present a Mill Demonstration at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township, on June 18, 19, 25 and 26 at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. See a 19th century gristmill in action. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. Free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present Story Time in the Park, June 19 and 26 from 11-11:45 a.m. at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township.
Staff will read a story in front of picturesque Crosswicks Creek. Bring a snack and a blanket or towel. During inclement weather the reading will take place in the front hall of the historic house. Open to ages 2-7 with adult. Free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present Seabrook-Wilson House Tours on June 19 and 26 from 1-4 p.m. at Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth section of Middletown. Visit a house which dates back to the early 1700s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and see displays about the ecology of the bay and local history. Free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present the Casual Birder on June 28 at 9 a.m. at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell, meet in the Environmental Center parking lot.
Join a park system naturalist for a laid-back morning bird walk. Free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present a Freshwater Fishing Derby on June 18 from 2-5 p.m. at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell, and June 19 from 2-5 p.m. at Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold Township. Prizes will be awarded for the longest fish in three categories. Fishing pole rentals available on a first come, first served basis. Rental cost is $5 per pole. A container of worms is included with each registration. The cost is $25 per family of four; $8 per person. Walk-ins are welcome; cash or check only on site. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present Life in a Freshwater Pond on June 23 and June 30 from 11 a.m. to noon at Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen Township, meet outside the Visitor Center. Join park system naturalists to explore a freshwater pond and look for turtles, frogs, herons, fish and more. Wear closed-toe shoes. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. Free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present an Antique Auto Display on June 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township. See pre-1948 automobiles on display. Weather permitting. Free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present Performance in the Park – A Midsummer’s Night Sonnetry: Fourteen Sonnets by William Shakespeare on June 26 from 4-6 p.m. at the Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft. Listen to performance readers explore and recite 14 of Shakespeare’s most poignant sonnets. Free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• DeBows United Methodist Church, corner of Route 571 and Route 537, Jackson, will host a flea market on June 25 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Table space (no table) for vendors is $10. Contact Sue at 732-598-7352 to reserve a space or for more information. Additional information can be found at www.debowsumc.org
• Judy Stach and Anthony Migliaccio, multi award-winning members of the Guild of Creative Art, 620 Broad St., Shrewsbury, are showcasing their oil paintings in the main gallery during June. Both artists embrace “plein air” painting, which is painting outdoors from real life. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free; on-site parking is free. A face covering is encouraged. Details: 732-741-1441.
• The DowntownFreehold.com Thursdays Rock concert series takes place each Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Monmouth County Hall of Records plaza, Main Street, Freehold Borough. The concerts are free; bring a lawn chair. The schedule is as follows: June 16, Funky Uncle All-Stars; June 23, The Weeklings; June 30, Eddie Testa Band; July 7, Mission Dance; July 14, Joe Baracata Band; July 21, Matt O’Ree Band; July 28, Chuck Lambert Band with Coo Moe Jhee; Aug. 4, Parrot Beach; Aug. 11, Colossal Street Jam; Aug. 18, Pat Guadagno and Friends; Aug. 25, Turnstyles.
• The Freehold Borough Arts Council 2022 Jazz, Blues and More Summer Concert Series will take place every Sunday through August (June 5 through Aug. 28) from 7-9 p.m. at the Downtown Freehold Gazebo, Main Street, Freehold Borough. The concerts are free; bring a lawn chair.
• A farmers market will be held every Friday from July through October, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Monmouth County Hall of Records plaza, Main Street, Freehold Borough.
• The Monmouth County Fair will be held from July 27-31 at the East Freehold Showgrounds, Freehold Township. Hours are 4-11 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. General admission is $8 per adult; children 17 and under are admitted free. Follow the Monmouth County Park System on social media. Upcoming fair contests will be announced on the park system’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages, offering an opportunity to win admission tickets and more. The fair is organized and presented by the Monmouth County Park System in cooperation with the Monmouth County 4-H Association. Details: www.MonmouthCountyFair.com
• Allentown in western Monmouth County was a stop on the Underground Railroad and local historian John Fabiano will tell the story during a free 90-minute walking tour sponsored by The Allentown Village Initiative on June 18 beginning at 10 a.m. in Pete Sensi Park, Main Street, Allentown. “They Came for Freedom” will lead participants past historic homes, shops, cemeteries and landmarks which played a part in helping escaped slaves from the south reach freedom in the north. Register in advance for a timed tour start at www.allentownvinj.org. Registrants will be assigned timed starts in 30-minute intervals beginning at 10 a.m. June 18.
• Freehold Elks Lodge No. 1454 will hold an All-U-Can-Eat Sunday Breakfast from 9-11:30 a.m. on the third Sunday (June 19) of every month at the lodge, 73 E. Main St., Freehold Borough. Extensive menu cooked to order. Adults, $11; children 12 and younger, $5.
• Morganville United Methodist Church, 215 Conover Road, off Route 79, Marlboro, has reopened its Saturday thrift shop. The thrift shop will be open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon through July. New and nearly items including clothing, toys, home decor, jewelry, housewares, crafts and holiday decorations will be available for purchase. All are welcome to visit the thrift shop.
• A new fellowship has started at the Morganville United Methodist Church, 215 Conover Road, Marlboro. Pizza with God features a pizza meal followed by music and devotions with crafts for youngsters. Come as you are and bring a dessert to share. The program will be held on the first Saturday of every month. Registration is requested on the church’s Facebook page, but is not required to attend. Details: Harry Cross, 908-770-6607.
• Freehold High School Class of 1972 will be celebrating its 50-year class reunion on July 23 at the American Hotel, Freehold Borough. Tickets are $85 per person and must be purchased in advance; no tickets will be sold at the door. The deadline for ticket purchases is July 13. For more information, contact Sue Shrott by email at [email protected] or call 732-995-7754.
• Monmouth County officials have scheduled the following paper shredding events: Aug. 6, Freehold Borough, Park Avenue Elementary School, 280 Park Ave.; Sept. 24, Marlboro Municipal Complex, 1979 Township Drive; Oct. 1, Colts Neck, town hall parking lot, 124 Cedar Drive; Oct. 8, Freehold Township Municipal Building, 1 Municipal Plaza. All shredding events will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. County residents may shred up to 100 pounds of documents. Large binder clips must be removed from documents; staples and paper clips can remain. Information about the paper shredding events and recycling can be found in the recycling section of the county’s website, www.visitmonmouth.com, or call 732-683-8686, ext. 8967.
• The Monmouth County Library offers six classes available at any time and without any advance registration on virtual Yoga, highlighting breathing, movement, stretching and other activities. Each program is offered at https://ly/MonCoLibraryYoga. The programs are offered by Steven Russell of Becoming Sound. Interested individuals may choose their own path with movements from six of the most popular library video class series. Sessions are Yoga Breathing; Yoga Stretching; Yoga Movement; Yoga Stretching with Support; Yoga at Home on the Floor; and Yoga at Home Standing. Individuals should consult a physician before starting any exercise program.
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America – Monmouth Chapter is dedicated to teaching and sharing the joys of needlework. The organization welcomes stitchers of all levels. Evening stitchers will meet via Zoom on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Day stitchers will meet via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540, or visit website:www.mcega.org
• Samaritan Center operates a food pantry to provide supplementary food for those in need in Manalapan, Marlboro, Morganville, Englishtown and Millstone Township. For information, call 732-446-1142 and make an appointment. Donations of funds and food are gratefully accepted to support the operation of the center.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.