FREEHOLD, NJ – Sand in your toes, music in your ears, food in your belly and fun on your calendar, that is what you can expect this month in Monmouth County. If our beaches and boardwalks don’t thrill you, we’re sure that our world-class shopping and dining, concerts, festivals and entertainment will!

“As the weather starts to heat up, so does Monmouth County’s tourism,” said Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone. “With such a wide variety of activities, there is something for everyone. I encourage you to get out and enjoy yourself this month.”

Here in Monmouth County, we don’t waste any time.  Two of the biggest events of the summer are happening within the first two weeks of June.  Enjoy three days of sun, sunsets and stars with the best Red Bank area restaurants at Red Bank Riverfest on June 1 and 2 in Marine Park.  On June 7, 8 and 9 make sure your appetite is ready and your stomach is empty for the Belmar Seafood Festival.  Taking place in Silver Lake Park, you can anticipate great seafood, crafters and live entertainment at one of the largest seafood festivals in the nation.

Scrumptious, local food is a big theme of summer in Monmouth County.  The Atlantic Highlands Trolley Hop will offer you the chance to taste all the delicious food the borough has to offer on June 2 and you can stroll through Red Bank while sampling food and wine at the Red Bank Food and Wine Walk on June 16. 

One of the best types of food is our fresh Jersey produce.  You will find a wide selection of ripe, local fruits and veggies at weekly farm markets in Atlantic Highlands on Fridays, Belmar on Saturdays, at The Galleria in Red Bank on Sundays, at Kennedy Park in Asbury Park on Sundays starting June 23, in Manasquan on Thursdays starting June 27, and at Huddy Park in Highlands every Saturday starting June 29.  You can find details on our Calendar of Events at www.visitmonmouth.com.

On almost any given day of the week, outdoor music can be heard in all corners of the county. As you wander the streets of downtown Red Bank on warm Saturday nights, free entertainment will delight your ears and your eyes.  If you’re looking to be a part of the show, Freehold Idol is the place for you!  Every Wednesday from June 5 through August 21 talented singers aged 10 and older are given the spotlight to show off their vocal abilities in front of the Hall of Records in downtown Freehold.

But that’s not all. Belmar holds a concert series every Friday night at Pyanoe Plaza; downtown Freehold holds performances in the gazebo on Main Street every Friday and Saturday;  Blues by the Beach, a Sunday night music series featuring local bands playing jazz and blues takes place in West End Park in Long Branch; Sandy Hook’s summer concert series begins June 12 and offers live entertainment every Wednesday at Sandy Hook’s Beach Area E; Thursdays by the Sea is a week-night music series starting June 13 at Festival Plaza, Pier Village in Long Branch, and Thursday’s Rock in Freehold with a concert series starting June 13 in front of the Hall of Records.

In addition to talented local artists, big name musicians fill the calendar this June.  Enjoy the sounds of performers such as Rascal Flatts, Dave Matthews Band and Toby Keith at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel as well musical delights from Gov’t Mule, The Go-Go’s and Counting Crows at Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank.  Visit our Calendar of Events to browse the full list of great music.

If you’re interested in dabbling in some history this month, you have several options.  Historic Allaire Village’s Civil War Encampment will be staged on June 1 and 2, providing a weekend of family fun.  Meet with soldiers, shop at period stores, witness artillery demonstrations and hear music from the 1860’s.

If you’re in the northern part of the county, you may want to celebrate King George III’s birthday at Malprit Hall in Middletown on June 1 where you can enjoy musical entertainment of the period along with light refreshments.  Finally, the Battle of Monmouth Re-Enactment, one of our most popular historical events of the season, takes place on June 15 and 16 at Monmouth Battlefield State Park in Manalapan. 

With a calendar filled every day from June 1 to the 30, it is hard to list all of the wonderful events happening this month in Monmouth County.  A great way to keep up with all of the tourism activities is by “liking” Monmouth County Tourism on Facebook and following @MonmouthTourism on Twitter.  Here’s an example of what you can expect:

• Watch the 145th Running of the Belmont at Monmouth Park Racetrack on June 8;
  Visit Bradley Park in Asbury Park for live music, food, crafts and spirits at the Asbury Park Blues and Brews Fest on June 8;
• Celebrate the wonders of the Jersey Shore at Sandy Hook’s Ocean Fun Day on June 9;
• Listen to live music and browse hundreds of cars at the annual Cruise to the Jersey Shore Car Show on the boardwalk in Long Branch on June 16;
• Stop by the Wall Twp. Municipal Complex between June 27 through the 30 for rides, crafts, games, live music and fireworks at the Wall Township Fair, and
• Bucks Mill Park in Colts Neck will feature rodeo attractions, food, entertainment, rides and vendors at the Colts Neck Country Fair on June 28 & 29.