Trenton, NJ - What are you going to do on your summer vacation? If you visit New Jersey’s Shore Region this year, there are a host of amazing attractions to see and fun events to enjoy.
Featured in the free 2010 New Jersey Travel Guide, which is available by calling 1-800-VISIT-NJ or by visiting www.visitnj.org, here are some ideas to consider this summer:
June 14- 20: ShopRite LPGA Classic Golf Tournament - It’s the return of the popular ShopRite LPGA Classic at Seaview - A Dolce Resort, in Galloway Township. Taking place on the resort’s Bay Course, will feature the brightest stars in women’s golf. With an anticipated field of 150 players competing in this year’s tournament, early indications are that this could be one of the strongest fields the LPGA Tour will see in 2010.
June 17: 7th Annual Chefs at the Shore - Some of the region’s best chefs will demonstrate their skill from 5:30-9 p.m. at the 7th Annual Chefs at the Shore, a benefit at the Atlantic City Aquarium in Historic Gardner’s Basin. The fundraising event is part of Professional Chefs Week, and is held in conjunction with the Professional Chefs Association of South Jersey, a local chapter of the American Culinary Federation. There will be a special appearance by Russ Newberry of the Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch.” Local chefs will present live cooking demonstrations of signature dishes from area restaurants.
June 19 – 20: Battle of Monmouth Re-Enactment - The Battle of Monmouth was the largest one-day battle of the Revolutionary War in terms of participants. Observers are encouraged to arrive early for seating and various activities before the beginning of the re-enactment each day. Monmouth Battlefield State Park, 347 Freehold-Englishtown Rd., Manalapan, (732) 780-5782.
June 19: Tuckerton Seaport Baymen’s Seafood & Music Festival - Tuckerton Enjoy delicious Jersey fresh clams, crabs, scallops and shrimp from the finest local purveyors while listening to Shorty Long and the Jersey Horns! Speak with commercial fisherman to learn about occupations on the bay or take a clam shucking class. Crafters, vendors, music, food, refreshments, family activities, demonstrations, boat rides.
June 25 – 27: Belmar AVP Volleyball - The best volleyball players in the world descend on Belmar beach for a great weekend of professional competition on the New Jersey leg of the AVP Volleyball Tour. North of Taylor Pavilion on the Beach, 5th and Ocean Ave, Belmar. (732) 681-3700 ext. 214, www.avp.com.
June 25-27: North Wildwood Original Italian-American Festival Annual celebration of Italian-American heritage, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, food and music held in North Wildwood on Olde New Jersey Avenue. Fri: 4 p.m. -10 p.m., Sat: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., Sun: noon - 6 p.m. 609.522.2955 or www.northwildwood.com Entertainment schedule to follow.
June 26-27: 22nd Annual Asbury Park Jazz Festival, 12-6:00pm, Sunset Park, 5th & Main, (732) 502-5749, www.cityofasburypark.com.
June 26: Atlantic City Summer Solstice Parade - Atlantic City Boardwalk. Traditionally held close to the summer solstice (June 21), similar festivals and parades take place throughout the country, and emphasize body painting and other forms of creative artistry done in spirit of the event. Brightly painted cyclists, colorful floats, costumed ensembles, a movie on the beach, and live Boardwalk entertainment are just some of the components making up the event celebrating the summer solstice. Spectators are encouraged to join the parade as it traverses the Atlantic City Boardwalk from New York to Albany Avenue.
July and August: Chicken Bone Beach Jazz Series - Kennedy Plaza, Atlantic City Boardwalk. A series of free concerts on Thursday evenings, sponsored by the Chicken Bone Beach Historical Society and the Atlantic City Free Public Library. 609-441-9064.
July 2 & July 4: Atlantic City Independence Day Fireworks - two separate events taking place Oceanfront on the Atlantic City Boardwalk and in the Marina District. Sponsored by the Atlantic City Casinos and Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority.
July 2-4: Centennial Fourth of July Weekend Freedom Festival - Wildwood Crest. Rambler Road and Ocean Avenue Gazebo-by-the-Sea area. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. Crafters of all kinds, food, live entertainment, children's activities. FREE concerts at Fern Rd. Park 7:30 p.m. Fri: B Street Band, Sat: 2U (U2 tribute band), Sun: Bandstand. 609-523-0202 or www.visitwildwoodcrest.com.
July 3 (Rain Date July 4): 24th Annual KABOOM! Fireworks on the Navesink - Launched from two barge locations, Garden State Fireworks of Millington shoots over 10,000 shells, all choreographed to an eclectic mix of popular and patriotic songs, Navesink River, Red Bank, (732) 842-7337.
July 4: 20th Annual Oceanfest, Long Branch - Not just a music or food festival; much more than a craft sale or street fair, Oceanfest combines the best parts of everyone's favorite community and cultural events—and caps it all off with the most spectacular fireworks display! Oceanfront Promenade, Long Branch, (732) 923-2044, https://www.longbranch.org/.
July 9 – 11: Anglesea Blues Festival - 2nd and Olde New Jersey Avenues, North Wildwood. Enjoy regional and national acts on our outdoor stage and in neighboring clubs and pubs. Fri: 4 p.m. - 11 p.m., Sat: 10 a.m. ﾖ 11 p.m., Sun: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Free to spectators. 609.523.6565 or www.angleseablues.com.
July 9 – 11: New Jersey State BBQ Championships – 2nd & Olde New Jersey Avenues, North Wildwood. Enjoy mouth-watering barbeque and witness top chefs in a "Quest for the Best". Fri: 4 p.m. - 11 p.m., Sat: 10 a.m. ﾖ 11 p.m., Sun: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Free to spectators. 609.523.6565 or www.njbbq.com.
July 14: 21st Annual NJ Sandcastle Contest Belmar - Visitors and residents alike can join professional sandcastle builders as active participants or spectators. Individuals and groups in several age categories will build for terrific prizes and bragging rights. Held at the 18th Avenue Beach, registration and sandcastle building start at 8 AM with judging from 12-1 PM, (732) 863-1900 ext. 102, www.njsandcastle.com.
July 21 – 25: 36th Annual Monmouth County Fair - Opening night fireworks, 4-H events, animal shows & exhibits, rides& amusements, free stage entertainment, racing pigs, home & garden competition. East Freehold Park Showgrounds, 1500 Kozloski Rd, Freehold, (732) 842-4000, www.monmouthcountyparks.com.
July 23: 16th Annual “Funtasia for Kids” Festival – Ocean County Park, Lakewood, 10am – 2pm. (732) 506-9090, ext. 5951.
July 24: Night in Venice – Ocean City’s annual boat parade is one of the largest in the world. Starts at 7:30pm from the Longport Bridge to Tennessee Ave. along the bay. (609) 525-9300.
July 24-26: Classic Tall Ship Weekend featuring AJ Meerwald, NJ Official Tall Ship supporting local environmental efforts as well as entertaining visitors.
July 24: Annual Red, Wine and Blues Festival at Tuckerton Seaport - The Tuckerton Seaport for a perfect afternoon of wine tasting from New Jersey's finest wineries plus live blues music. 2-7pm Complimentary wine glass! Admission: members $15, non-members $20.
July 29 - August 1: Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival – Harrah’s Entertainment, in cooperation with the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, hosts the premier event of Atlantic City’s summer season with four days of events, tastings and celebrity appearances. www.acfoodandwine.com.
July 29 - August 3: The A.J. Meerwald arrives in Historic Gardner’s Basin in Atlantic City and docks next to Atlantic City’s “Cruising One.” The A.J. Meerwald is a Delaware Bay oyster schooner – New Jersey’s Official Tall Ship. Launched in 1928, the A.J. Meerwald was one of hundreds of schooners build along South Jersey's Delaware Bayshore before the decline of the shipbuilding industry that coincided with the Great Depression.
August 1: 2010 Haskell Invitational - Mark your calendars for the greatest race day in the State of New Jersey! The top three-year-old racehorses in the country battle in the $1 Million Grade I Haskell Invitational. Be sure to arrive early to receive the commemorative Haskell Hat. Gates open 10am, first race at 12 noon. Monmouth Park Racetrack, Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, (732) 222-5100, www.monmouthpark.com.
August 5 – 8: 16th Annual Clamfest - Huddy Park, Highlands, (732) 291-4713, www.highlandsnj.com.
August 11 – 15: 34th Annual Ocean Township Italian Festival - From sampling the great taste of Italy's delicious food, rides, games, music, and fireworks display, this year's festival promises 5 fun filled days of entertainment for the entire family. Joe Palaia Park, Corner of Deal and Whalepond Rd, Ocean Township, (732) 517-1040.
August 21 & 22: Shore Chefs Crab Cake Cook-Off - Taste fare from the best chefs in the Garden State as they battle for the Best Crab Cake Award. Gates open 11:30am, Monmouth Park Racetrack, Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, (732) 222-5100
www.monmouthpark.com
August 25: Atlantic City Airshow “THUNDER OVER THE BOARDWALK”: Atlantic City. Bring your beach chairs and watch one of the largest air shows in the country. Unique in its location over the beach, ocean and Boardwalk, this show creates thrills with parachute teams, fly-bys and formations. 609-345-4524. www.atlanticcityairshow.com
