FREEHOLD, NJ – Warm summer nights under the stars, with music flowing and movies showing is the highlight of August in Monmouth County.  After all the festivals, fairs and celebrations in the early summer, August is a great month to wind down and take pleasure in the simple joys of life.

“Summer on the New Jersey shore means warm weather, good music, award-winning theatre and weekly farm markets filled with Jersey Fresh produce,” said Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone. “Enjoy the best of your summer here in Monmouth County.”

The 2015 Haskell Invitational comes to Monmouth Park on Aug. 2 so be sure to mark your calendars for the biggest race of the summer. American Pharoah, the Triple Crown winner, is expected to race that day.

Free, outdoor summer music series are widespread this month as local artists showcase their talent and get you movin’!  Spend Sundays in Long Branch for jazz and blues at West End Park.  On Wednesdays, visit the Gateway National Recreation Area in Sandy Hook for music on the beach or Downtown Freehold for the popular Freehold Idol. 

Downtown Freehold host’s “Thursdays Rock” in front of the Hall of Records and Long Branch has “Thursdays by the Sea.” And last but not least, “Songwriters on the Beach” takes place weekly on 5th and Ocean Avenue in Belmar. The Songwriters series is a program of 90.5fm “The Night,” the Brookdale Community College radio station.

Although everyone loves a local band, several big name musical acts headline venues throughout the County in August, too. Here’s just a sample: PNC will feature Toby Keith on Aug. 7, Van Halen on Aug. 9, Santana on Aug. 23 and the Counting Crows on Aug. 29; the Count Basie Theatre will showcase Rob Thomas on Aug. 1 and Gladys Knight on Aug. 20; Beach Boys perform at the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove on Aug. 22; and Cassadee Pope will perform at iPlay America on Aug. 28.

Weekly farm markets stocked with fresh Jersey corn, tomatoes and other yummy produce are a great place to pick up summer food favorites. Visit Keyport on Thursdays, Downtown Freehold on Fridays and Atlantic Highlands or Red Bank on Sundays for all your fresh summer produce needs.

A few of summer’s most famed events are also held this month. Highland’s Annual Clamfest runs from July 30 to August 2 in Huddy Park; the Annual Ocean Township Italian Festival is Aug. 5 through 9 at Joe Palaia Park, the Keyport Spanish American Festival is Aug. 8 at Beach Park and the Annual Shore Chef’s Crab Cake Cook-Off is at Monmouth Park Racetrack on Aug. 15 and 16.

The West End Classic Car Cruise Night is Aug. 15 on Brighton Avenue; and on Aug. 29, visit the Long Branch Boardwalk for a Jazz and Blues Festival.

As always, Monmouth County’s Calendar of Events will provide you with even more August 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 3 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.

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