FREEHOLD, NJ – The never-ending winter has officially ended. The colors of spring are beginning to show as Monmouth County blossoms with vibrant seasonal flora. But that’s not the only thing blossoming in the County; our Calendar of Events is flourishing, too!

“As we enter our spring tourism season, I hope visitors and residents will take advantage of all the events Monmouth County has to offer,” said Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the County’s Office of Public Information and Tourism. “The winter is over now and it is time for everyone to get out of their houses and get involved in their communities.”

With the weather warming up, many events will begin to take place in the great outdoors.  Easter is April 20, but the egg hunts begin April 13 with Keansburg Amusement Park’s Golden Easter Egg Hunt and Allaire Village hosts their 10,000 Easter Egg Hunt on April 19.

The parks will be bustling with activity the last weekend in April with the Great Spring Perennial Plant Swap on April 26 at Deep Cut Gardens, the Spring Craft Show on April 26 at Tatum Park, the annual Sheep Shearing and Wool Days demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm on April 26 and 27 and Monmouth County Park System Earth Day Celebrations on April 27, where you will find outdoor activities at several park locations.  

Other family-friendly, outdoor activities include the Red Bank Street Fair on April 6, the Early Spring Flea Market at Historic Allaire Village on April 26 and the Belmar Art Walk on April 27.

Get physical this month at the Step Up for the Arc 5K run and walk on the Asbury Park Boardwalk on April 12, the Novo Nordisk Marathon Weekend April 25 through 27 at Monmouth Park or Jersey Shore’s Running Club’s RunAPalooza in Asbury Park.

You won’t want to miss the 17th Annual Brookdale Guitar Show at the Student Life Center in Lincroft on April 13 or the Bradley Beach Restaurant Tour is taking place on April 27.

Musical offerings are widespread throughout the County this month.  The Broadway Dolls will perform at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank on April 5, the legendary B.B. King will appear on April 16, Amos Lee will entertain on April 17 and bring the kids to Shrek the Musical on April 25, 26 or 27.  Monmouth University hosts some good ones, too.  “In the Mood: A 1940’s Musical”will be performed at the Pollak Theater on April 6 and Monmouth University’s Department of Music and Theatre will perform a spring concert on April 17.

April’s stage performances include “Trouble in Mind” at Two River Theater in Red Bank, comedian Kathy Griffin at Count Basie Theatre on April 18, “A View of the Mountains” at the New Jersey Repertory Company in Long Branch from April 24 through May 25 and see dinosaur puppets come to life in “Dinosaur Zoo” at the Pollak Theater on April 29.

As always, Monmouth County’s Calendar of Events will provide you with even more April 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.

#     #     #