• DeBows United Methodist Church, at the intersection of Route 571 and Route 537, Jackson, announced that the Rev. Scott Clifton will begin his ministry at DeBows UMC on July 3. Individuals may visit www.debowsumc.org for more information about Pastor Scott and DeBows UMC.
• The Allentown Lions Club’s annual Kids Fishing Tournament will be held on July 2 from 8-11 a.m. at Pete Sensi Park. No advanced registration is required. Walk-ins are welcome. There will be fun, food and prizes with age groups and overall prizes for shore division and boat division. Personal floatation devices are required on the lake. There is no fishing behind the Old Mill.
• Members of the public are invited to a reading of the Declaration of Independence in Allentown on July 4. To celebrate America’s 246th birthday, municipal leaders from Allentown and Upper Freehold Township will join members of the community to publicly read the Declaration of Independence at 9 a.m. July 4 in Pete Sensi Park, Main Street. The reading is free and sponsored by The Allentown Village Initiative. Details: 609-208-9991.
• 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 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
• 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 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 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.
• The Allentown Village Initiative (TAVI) invites area residents to join a special effort to patronize local businesses. Register at www.allentownvinj.org to receive a weekly email highlighting Allentown’s shops and restaurants. The email will showcase unique products, services and specials offered by entrepreneurs throughout Allentown and Upper Freehold Township. There is no charge to participate. To register and for more information, visit www.allentownvinj.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.
• 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
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.