Monmouth County Fair opens this week, and more things to do at the Jersey Shore
From the roar of the rides to the scent of cotton candy in the air, the Monmouth County Fair pulses with energy while retaining all the charm of an old-fashioned country fair.
Presented by the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners in cooperation with the Monmouth County Park System and the Monmouth County 4-H Association, the 48th annual fair runs Wednesday to Sunday at East Freehold Showgrounds in Freehold.
There will be lots of live entertainment, rides, food, 4-H shows and exhibits, home and garden competitions and demonstrations, a New Jersey Fire Museum exhibit and more. Among the entertainment are acts such as Hilby, The Skinny German Juggle Boy; Mutts Gone Nuts; and Robinson’s Racing Pigs.
The opening ceremony on Wednesday features performances by the Amish Outlaws at 8:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Weather permitting, fireworks end the night at 9:15 p.m.
On Thursday, the brass band Ocean Avenue Stompers march through the fairgrounds throughout the evening. The Nerds perform at 8:30 p.m. on the main stage. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Tommie Turvey’s Stunt Horses & Dogs perform. The Back to the Eighties Show with Jessie’s Girl takes the main stage at 8:30 p.m. Friday.
Fairgoers can catch the "All For Won" game show at 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday. This lighthearted competition combines games and trivia into interactive challenges. Coast 2 Coast Philly takes the stage at 8:30 p.m.
The fair ends on a sweet note on Sunday with the famous pie-eating contest. Children 12 and younger will compete at 12:30 p.m., and everyone 13 and older chows down at 12:45 p.m. Registration opens at 11 a.m. at the main stage for both contests. All registrants will get a T-shirt. Pies are donated by Wemrock Orchards of Freehold.
Ride wristbands, offering unlimited rides, are available daily: $25 on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; $30 on Friday and Saturday. Rides are weather permitting.
The fair is open from 4 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $8, free for children 12 and younger. Veterans and active military with ID also enter for free. On Sunday, seniors 65 and older and students with ID are free. Watch for contest announcements on Monmouth County Park System's social media pages.
Go: Monmouth County Fair, Wednesday, July 26, to Sunday, July 30, 1500 Kozloski Road, Freehold; 732-842-4000, MonmouthCountyFair.com.
Here are other things to do this weekend at the Jersey Shore:
Kendall Street Company at Wonder Bar
The experimental rock group Kendall Street Company performs at 7 p.m. Thursday at Wonder Bar in Asbury Park.
The genre-fluid ensemble is known for dynamic live performances that "blend the songwriting prowess of John Prine, the experimental psychedelia of Pink Floyd, the progressive jazz-infused rock of Frank Zappa, and the epic jams of Umphrey's McGee, according to a release. Expect off-the-cuff comedic bits, haphazard choreography and surprise musical guests.
Formed by five students at the University of Virginia, KSC (the name comes from late-night bonfires at Kendall Street Beach on the Chesapeake Bay), the group "embodies the spirit of good company — igniting their performances with fiery jams and captivating conversation."
The band just announced a Sept. 22 release date for its new studio album "Seperation95." The album's first single is a reharmonization of the Grateful Dead’s “Eyes of the World" (inspired by the use of sign language to communicate beloved songs).
Go: Kendall Street Company, 7 p.m. Thursday, Wonder Bar, Fifth and Ocean avenues, Asbury Park, $10; 732-455-3767, https://wonderbarasburypark.com.
'A Tailor Near Me' at NJ Rep
The New Jersey Repertory Company presents the world premiere of Michael Tucker's comedy "A Tailor Near Me," directed by James Glossman and starring Tony Award nominee Richard Kind and James Pickens Jr.
Performances begin Thursday and the show officially opens Saturday.
In the show, "a man goes to a tailor to have his suit pants let out because he's gained some weight," a release says. "The tailor convinces him that what he really needs is a new suit, which leads to a negotiation, which leads to the making of a bespoke suit, which leads to alterations in both of their lives."
Online tickets for performances through Aug. 6 are not available online, but check the box office for availability. Tickets are $70.
Go: "A Tailor Near Me," July 27 to Aug. 27, NJ Repertory Co., 179 Broadway, Long Branch, $70; 732-229-3166, njrep.org.
Happy Birthday, Harry Potter!
Teenage muggles are invited to the "Happy Birthday, Harry Potter!” celebration from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Friday at Mancini Hall in the Toms River Branch of Ocean County Library.
There will be lots of activities, including a Sorting Quiz to determine your House (Hufflepuff, anyone?), plus wands and potion necklaces to make. (Note that some edible treats offered may contain potential allergens.)
According to the series by J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter came to life July 31, 1980. The author was born on July 31, 1965.
Register here to attend this free program.
Go: Happy Birthday, Harry Potter, 3 to 4:30 p.m., Toms River Branch, Ocean County Library, 101 Washington St.; 732-349-6200, theoceancountylibrary.org.
Movies on the roof in Asbury Park
Movies on the Baronet Rooftop at The Asbury hotel continue this week with the romantic comedy "Legally Blonde" at 7:45 p.m. Thursday and the animated film "Ratatouille" at 7:45 p.m. Saturday.
Tickets are $12, and chairs and beanbags are first come, first served.
Upcoming movies include "Bridesmaids," "Freaky Friday," "Finding Nemo" and "The Breakfast Club." Films are scheduled through Sept. 15.
Guests are encouraged to bring their own beach chairs and blankets.
Go: The Asbury, Baronet Rooftop, 210 Fifth Ave., Asbury Park, $12; theasburyhotel.com/things-to-do/baronet.
There's a shark in the ... donut box
You'd rather see a shark in a donut box than in the water, right? And for Shark Week, Duck Donuts is offering its Shark Assortment.
Only available until Sunday, the box features new flavors like Shark Attack (blue vanilla icing with graham cracker crumbs, marshmallow drizzle and a Gummy Shark); Shark Bite (maple icing with chopped bacon and raspberry drizzle); and Riptide Cinnamon Bun (cinnamon sugar with blue vanilla drizzle).
Come in and grab a bite, before it bites you.
Go: 1275 Route 35, Middletown; 732-671-3825, duckdonuts.com/middletown and other New Jersey locations.
Art For Sea hosts craft fair fundraiser in Neptune
Saturday marks the third annual Art Fair For the Sea, a fundraising event for the nonprofit group Art For Sea.
Co-hosted by the Neptune Township Recreation Department, there will be three food trucks, two bands, and work from more than 30 arts and crafts vendors. The event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Volunteer Park in the Shark River Hills section of Neptune. Music starts at noon.
Funds raised by Art For Sea through the sale of art go toward internship grants to local ocean conservation groups.
Go: Art Fair For the Sea, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Volunteer Park, Neptune; 732-861-1390.
'Satellites' plays at Kean University
Premiere Stages at Kean University is presenting the premiere of Erin Breznitsky’s "Satellites" through Sunday at Kean University’s Bauer Boucher Theatre Center in Union.
In the play, married couple Katherine (Ellyn Heald) and Mike (Terrell Wheeler) are each on a mission to save the world. She’s a scientist studying climate change; he’s an astronaut exploring the unknown. When Mike’s shuttle vanishes in outer space, Katherine forges ahead alone, raising their children and continuing her life’s work until Mike suddenly reappears without explanation. As the couple struggles to adjust to his return, they’re forced to re-examine their entire relationship —while facing an uncertain future.
“This exciting new production is the first time Premiere Stages will be incorporating a three projection set up into a design’” said director John J. Wooten in a news release.
"Erin’s approach provides an innovative and seamless exploration of the unknown limits of time and space,” added Wooten, Producing Artistic Director for Premiere Stages.
The show takes place at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $35, $25 for seniors and Kean alumni, $20 for patrons with disabilities, $15 for students.
Go: "Satellites," through Sunday, Kean University, Bauer Boucher Theatre Center, Vaughn Eames Hall, 1000 Morris Ave., Union, $35; 908-737-7469, premierestagesatkean.com/shows/Satellites/.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Things to do in Jersey Shore: Monmouth County Fair 2023, Harry Potter
