Asbury Park Memorial Day carnival and more things to do this weekend at the Shore
Memorial Day is much more than a three-day weekend. It's a solemn day of remembrance for those who paid the ultimate price to protect the freedoms we enjoy today.
The holiday grew out of the horrors of the Civil War, and has resonated ever since as brave men and women have marched forward to answer the call of their country.
Remember that at your family barbecue, or when you're downing a beer or putting on suntan lotion. We can enjoy that first rush of summer thanks to the bravery of those we honor.
While the big Memorial Day parades are in Freehold and Toms River, here is a complete guide to Memorial Day parades in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Outside of the parades, there is a lot going on in and around the Jersey Shore — everything from a Seaport Craft Show in Highlands to a kite festival in Wildwood.
Stay safe, have fun, and enjoy the weekend.
Asbury Park Memorial Day Spring Carnival
The Asbury Park Memorial Day Spring Carnival runs Wednesday to Monday at Bradley Park, across the street from Convention Hall. The annual carnival is hosted by Triumphant Life Church and features rides for all ages by Amusements of America, festival food and treats, and games and prizes.
The carnival runs 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. On Memorial Day, the carnival also runs 2 to 11 p.m. Admission to enter the grounds is $2 (free for 5 and younger).
Ride credits, purchased on site, range from $20 for 18 credits to $100 for 98 credits, with each ride taking four to six credits. On Thursday and Saturday, unlimited rides are $40 per person.
There will be a DJ each night.
Triumphant Life, based in Oceanport, has hosted the carnival for 13 years.
Go: Asbury Park Memorial Day Spring Carnival, Wednesday to Monday, Bradley Park, Asbury Park; 732-774-0303 (call between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.), Triumphantlifeoffice@gmail.com, Triumphantlifenj.org.
Jersey Shore Food Truck Festival at Monmouth Park
Bring your appetite to this weekend's Jersey Shore Food Truck Festival at Monmouth Park Racetrack., where nearly three dozen trucks will gather.
Local trucks like Ohana Food Truck, Five Sisters Food Co., Twisted Steaks, Del Toro Tapas, The Baked Bear and L'Acquario Seafood Italiano will join others from New Jersey and beyond for the three-day festival, which also features horse racing.
Live music runs from noon to 4 p.m. Parking is free, and food will be available for purchase.
Go: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 25, to Monday, May 27, Monmouth Park Racetrack, 175 Oceanport Ave., Oceanport, $6 admission ($5 with promo code "FoodTrucks24), free for kids 12 and younger; seatgeek.com/monmouth.
Seaport Craft Show in Highlands
The Highlands Business Partnership will host the 23rd annual Seaport Craft Show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Huddy Park.
Admission is free.
More than 60 crafters and artisans will be selling various handmade crafts, art, jewelry and more. Live music runs from noon to 4 p.m.
Go: Seaport Craft Show, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Huddy Park, 329 Bay Ave., Highlands; 732-291-4713, highlandsnj.com.
Smithereens at Wonder Bar
Memorial Day weekends brings back memories of backyard parties at the former home the late Pat DiNizio in Scotch Plains.
The rocker hosted the shindigs for friends and fans. Granted, he did charge an admission, but the affairs were warm and welcoming. Attendees brought food to the potluck, which added to the homespun feeling, Plus, it was a chance to see the Smithereens perform their classics up close and personal.
The solemnity of the day was always acknowledged at the DiNizio soirees. Memorial Day is a time to remember the brave men and women who have paid the ultimate price while defending the freedoms we cherish as Americans.
DiNizio passed away on Dec. 12, 2017, at the age of 62. The Smithereens now play with a rotating group of vocalists. Marshall Crenshaw will front the guys — Jim Babjak, guitar; Dennis Diken, drums; and Severo Jornacion, bass — for the Saturday show at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park.
Deejay Lee Mrowicki will be spinning the tunes, and we're sure there will be toasts to the veterans — and to Pat.
Go: The Smithereens and Deejay Lee Mrowicki, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Wonder Bar, 1213 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, $45; wonderbarasburypark.com.
Renaissance Faire continues in Burlington County
The 15th season of the New Jersey Renaissance Faire continues at the Burlington County Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday. Those familiar with the event will remember its last-minute move a year ago.
"We are building and producing the show that we have always wanted, and can't wait to celebrate with our faire family and fans this season when they see how different the shire looks and feels," said NJRF general manager TJ Miller of Vincentown, in a release. "Our set designer, Chris Sutton of Mount Laurel built a beautiful front gate with two 16-foot-tall towers.
"We have also doubled the amount of food vendors, built a brand-new kids’ area, and added two ... tents for eating and relaxing in the shade,” Miller added.
The faire — which continues June 1 and 2, and June 8 and 9 — hosts more than 5,000 people daily. Look for the four-horse joust of knights, the human chess match, whiskey tasting (which tends to sell out), a lively and expansive merchant village, and special after-hours shows.
A Fixed Day Pass is $25.
Go: NJ Renaissance Faire, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Burlington County Fairgrounds, 1990 Jacksonville Jobstown Road, Columbus; 888-864-8222, NJRenFaire.com.
Kite festival in Wildwood
The International Kite Festival takes place Friday to Monday in Wildwood, and inside the Wildwoods Convention Center.
"A full-blown kite festival on steroids” is how SkyFestivals.com describes the 38th annual event. It begins Friday with the official Unlocking of the Beach ceremony, running through Monday with the World Indoor Kite Competition.
At 4 p.m. Friday, registration opens at the Festival Field tent on the beach at Rio Grande Avenue. Note that everyone must register and sign the waiver before taking part. Registration continues through 6 p.m., and will open at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Festival Field tent. Kite sales and event merchandise also will be available at the tent.
At 9 p.m. Friday is the annual Nite Kite Show. From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, there will be large inflatable kites, team flying, as well as family games.
The World Indoor Kite Exhibition inside the Wildwoods Convention Center can be seen starting at 9:30 a.m. Monday. Free to spectators, more information is at SkyFestivals.com.
The festival begins at noon Friday with the "Unlocking of the Ocean" outside Wildwoods Convention Center. The Wildwoods officially starts the summer season with tourism and city officials, dignitaries, guest speakers and more than 200 second-grade students.
The "unlocking" take place on the beach at Andrews Avenue next to the Wildwoods Convention Center, 4501 Boardwalk. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will take place at the Wildwoods Convention Center.
More information about the Wildwoods is at 800-992-9732 or WildwoodsNJ.com.
Go: International Kite Festival, Friday to Monday, Rio Grande Avenue, Wildwood; SkyFestivals.com.
Sarah Griesemer contributed to this story.
Have an event coming up? Tell us about it. Email Bill Canacci at bcanacci@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore things to do include Asbury Park carnival
