Municipalities in Monmouth County and central New Jersey are gearing up for the summer with a host of concerts, festivals and events that welcome people of all ages and from all communities. While some events require a paid admission, many events are offered to guests free of charge.
From 6-9 p.m. each Saturday night in June, July and August, the sidewalks of Red Bank will be alive with music and entertainment. StreetLife performances will take place throughout the business district in downtown Red Bank.
The popular Thursdays Rock concert series returns to Freehold Borough for another year of entertainment in 2019. The series is presented by DowntownFreehold.com. The free concerts take place at the Monmouth County Hall of Records Plaza, Main Street, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. All ages are welcome to attend.
The series will open on June 6 with a performance by the Moroccan Sheepherders; to be followed on June 13, The Snakes; June 20, Mission Dance; June 27, Motor City Revue; July 4, Eddie Testa Band with special guest; July 11, Rockit Fish; July 18, Soul Project NOLO; July 25, The Springsteen Experience; Aug. 1, Joe Keyes and the Late Bloomer Band; Aug. 8, Joe Baracata Band; Aug. 15, Stephen Martines; and Aug. 22, Full Throttle.
For more information, visit DowntownFreehold.com
The Sandy Hook Foundation will present a series of concerts at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Beach E on Sandy Hook in northern Monmouth County. In case of rain a decision to cancel will be made by 2 p.m.
The series will open on June 19 with a performance by Waiting On Mongo; to be followed on June 26 by Brian Kirk and the Jirks; July 10, Tim McLoone and the Shirleys; July 17, the Moroccan Sheepherders; July 24, Bob Bandiera Band; July 31, Jobonanno’s Spirit of Asbury Revue; Aug. 7, the Carl Gentry Band; and Aug. 14, Remember Jones.
For more information, visit www.sandyhookfoundation.org. Call 732-291-7733 for a recording of cancellation information.
The Bash Music & Craft Beer Festival 2019 will be held on June 2 from 12 to 10 p.m. at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, 230 Pension Road, Old Bridge. The event will feature craft beer tastings with more than 100 craft beers and live music.
This event is for individuals 21 years of age and older until 4 p.m. All ages will be admitted to the event after 4 p.m. General Admission and VIP tickets are available for purchase. All tickets include craft beer tasting (21+) and access to view the music stage.
The performance lineup is Rancid, Pennywise, Suicidal Tendencies, L7, and Madball. Ticket prices start at $49.50. Dogs are not permitted at the event. For more information, visit thebashfestival.com/englishtown
Red Bank will serve as the host to a Pride in the Park event in Riverside Gardens Park, 40 W. Front St., on June 8 from noon to 2 p.m. Attendees are invited to bring a picnic. The event will feature live music, family activities and more. The event is free to attend and open to all ages.
Matawan Recreation and the Washington Fire Engine Company will host the third annual Fishing Derby at Lake Lefferts in Matawan on June 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants 16 and younger are invited to take part in the catch and release event. Lunch and fishing certificates will be provided by the Washington Fire Company. Registered fishermen will receive a live goldfish and a glass globe while supplies last.
The Upper Freehold-Allentown Alliance to Prevent Substance Abuse will hold two special events in June at the Cream Ridge Golf Course and residents of all communities are welcome to attend.
On June 13 from 5:30-9 p.m., the alliance will present Bike Night 2019, featuring all makes and models of motorcycles. The event will take place at the Roost at Cream Ridge Golf Course, 181 Route 539, Cream Ridge.
There will be music, food, door prizes, judging and awards in several categories, featuring American and Metric bikes. There is no entry fee, but donations are welcome. Vendors are welcome. For more information, contact Debbie Minnick at 609-400-5600 or [email protected]
On June 27 from 5:30-9 p.m., the alliance will present Car Show 2019, featuring all makes and models of cars. The event will take place at the Roost at Cream Ridge Golf Course, 181 Route 539, Cream Ridge.
There will be music, food, door prizes, judging and awards in several categories. There is no entry fee, but donations are welcome. Vendors are welcome. For more information, contact Debbie Minnick at 609-400-5600 or [email protected]
Spring Lake, which is known as the Irish Riviera on the Monmouth County coast, will host an Irish Festival from noon to 5 p.m. on June 15 (rain date June 22) at Third and Morris avenues. There will be live musical performances by the Snakes and the Doubting Toms, plus Irish step dancers, a beer and wine garden, an Irish soda bread contest, a petting zoo and children’s activities.
On June 20 from 5-9 p.m., Keyport will be the host to a Dog’s Night Out. Participants are invited to bring their canines to walk down West Front Street in Keyport.
Hazlet will host Independence Day fireworks at Veterans Park on July 3 from 9-10 p.m. Veteran’s Park is at 1764 Union Ave in Hazlet.
The Rockstar Energy Drink Disrupt Festival will feature some of the biggest names in rock, as well as the genre’s rising artists. The event will take place on July 6 at 1 p.m. at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel. The venue is at Exit 116 on the Garden State Parkway.
Ticket prices start at $19.99 on LiveNation.com for lawn seats. The lineup includes Circa Survive, The Used, Thrice, The Story So Far, Atreyu, Sleeping With Sirens, Four Year Strong, Memphis May Fire, Trophy Eyes, Juliet Simms, and Hyro The Hero.
Manalapan will present a free concert at 7 p.m. on July 12 at the Manalapan Recreation Center, Route 522 and Taylors Mills Road, Manalapan. Chicago 9, a nine-piece band with a horn section, will perform songs from the catalog of Chicago. Food and drinks will be available; bring chairs/blankets.
A fireworks display will follow the concert at about 9:30 p.m.
Prior to the Chicago 9 concert, a car show will take place at 6 p.m. at the Manalapan Recreation Center’s west entrance parking lot. Pre-registration is not required for the car show; all are welcome to participate. Prizes will be awarded and a plaque will be given to all participants. The evening is presented by the Township Committee and the Manalapan Township Arts Council.
Residents of all towns are welcome to head to Marlboro for a concert by New Power Soul at 7 p.m. on July 14 at the Marlboro municipal complex amphitheater, Wyncrest Road. The concert is free. The evening will include a fireworks display.
One of the signature events of the summer, the Monmouth County Fair, will return to the East Freehold Showgrounds, Kozloski Road, Freehold Township, from July 24-28. Features that bring residents and visitors of all ages back to the fair year after year include the Home and Garden tent and competitions, rides, games, food vendors, a petting zoo and daily entertainment.
Hours for the 2019 Monmouth County Fair are 5-11 p.m. July 24-26; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 27; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 28. The 2019 Main Stage entertainment is as follows: July 24, Start Making Sense, a Talking Heads tribute band; July 25, Big House Band; July 26, Jake’s Rockin’ Country Band; July 27, School of Rock, and Jobonanno and the Godsons present “The Spirit of Asbury Revue” and July 28, Last Whippoorwill.
Middletown will sponsor a Beach Party at Ideal Beach on July 25 and at Leonardo Beach on Aug. 30. Each event will begin at 5 p.m. The free events will feature games, music and dancing. A movie will be shown in the evening. Ideal Beach is near Bayside Parkway in north Middletown. Leonardo Beach is on Beach Avenue in the Leonardo section of Middletown.
The Keyport Firemen’s Fair will return to Fireman’s Park on Aug. 4-10 from 7-11 p.m. each day. The event will feature rides, food vendors, movie cars, Fireman’s Night on Aug. 7, games, beer, raffles, fairytale characters, and fireworks. Fireman’s Park is at 109-149 W. Front Street, Keyport.
Marlboro will again welcome guests from throughout the region when it hosts Family Fun Day at 7 p.m. on Aug. 11 at the Marlboro municipal complex amphitheater, Wyncrest Road. Entertainment will be provided by Alotta Colada. Family Fun Day is free.
The Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair will be held from 6-11 p.m. on Aug. 26 through Sept. 1 at the Fair Haven Volunteer Fire Department, 645 River Road. The event will feature rides such as the Zipper, Rainbow, Wipeout, a merry-go-round and a train. Children will have the opportunity to ride on a Fair Haven fire engine during the event.