For Immediate Release:
July 17, 2014
Enjoy a relaxing August in Monmouth County
The best of summer is on its way
FREEHOLD, NJ – Warm summer nights under the stars, with music flowing and movies showing is the highlight of August in Monmouth County. After all the festivals, fairs and celebrations in the early summer, August is a great month to wind down and take pleasure in the simple joys of life.
Summer on the New Jersey shore means warm weather, good music, award-winning theatre and weekly farm markets filled with Jersey Fresh produce.
Free, outdoor summer music series are widespread this month as local artists showcase their talent and get you movin’! Spend Sunday, Aug. 3 in Long Branch for jazz and blues at West End Park. On Wednesdays, visit the Gateway National Recreation Area in Sandy Hook for music on the beach or Downtown Freehold for the popular Freehold Idol.
Downtown Freehold host’s “Thursdays Rock” in front of the Hall of Records and Long Branch has “Thursdays by the Sea.” And last but not least, “Songwriters on the Beach” takes place weekly on 5th and Ocean Avenue in Belmar. The Songwriters series is a program of 90.5fm “The Night,” the Brookdale Community College radio station.
August is a great month to get together with family and friends and watch a moonlit movie. There are showings every Tuesday at Riverside Gardens in Red Bank, Wednesdays in Spring Lake and every Thursday in Asbury Park. You can also catch an outdoor movie this month in Hazlet, Howell, Keyport, Ocean Grove, Oceanport, Middletown, Sea Bright and Shrewsbury. For specific dates, times, and movie showings, visit www.visitmonmouth.com and click on the Tourism tab to find the Calendar of Events.
Although everyone loves a local band, several big name musical acts headline venues throughout the County in August, too. Here’s just a sample: at the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove on Aug. 2, Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey perform with special guest Maureen McGovern; PNC will feature OneRepublic on Aug. 10, The Goo Goo Dolls on Aug. 12, Keith Urban on Aug. 15, Chicago on Aug. 16 and Motley Crue on Aug. 30; the Count Basie Theatre will showcase Ms. Lauryn Hill on Aug. 9 and Badfish performs a tribute to Sublime at iPlay America on Aug. 16.
Weekly farm markets stocked with fresh Jersey corn, tomatoes and other yummy produce are a great place to pick up summer food favorites. Visit Keyport on Thursdays, Downtown Freehold on Fridays and Red Bank on Sundays for all your fresh summer produce needs.
A few of summer’s most famed events are also held this month. Atlantic Highland’s Annual Clamfest runs from July 31 to August 3 in Huddy Park; the Annual Ocean Township Italian Festival is Aug. 6 through 10 at Joe Palaia Park, the Keyport Spanish American Festival is Aug. 9 at Beach Park and the Annual Shore Chef’s Crab Cake Cook-Off is at Monmouth Park Racetrack on Aug. 16 and 17.
The West End Classic Car Cruise Night is Aug. 16 on Brighton Avenue; and on Aug. 23, visit the Long Branch Boardwalk for a Jazz and Blues Festival.
As always, Monmouth County’s Calendar of Events will provide you with even more August entertainment. For a complete listing of events, go to www.visitmonmouth.com and click on the Tourism tab to find the Calendar of Events. Compiled by the Monmouth County Department of Public Information and Tourism, it is a comprehensive source for things to do and places to go and is updated regularly. You can also call 1-800-523-2587 to have a packet of information mailed to you, or stop by 1 East Main St., Freehold to browse the extensive literature between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
The next time you are on Facebook be sure to “like” the Monmouth County Tourism Page. If you use Twitter, follow us on there, too.
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