FREEHOLD – You’ve had enough of winter and are reveling in the coming of spring. What better time to get out and enjoy the activities that are popping up all over Monmouth County?
           
“With so many wonderful things to do in April there’s no reason you can’t shake off the winter doldrums,” said Jeanne DeYoung, Monmouth County’s tourism representative who works in the county’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism. “The county’s Calendar of Events is bursting with family activities that are either free or low cost and will suit nearly every taste.”
           
The department provides an up-to-the-minute listing of activities, shows, demonstrations, museums and events. Log onto www.visitmonmouth.com and click on the Tourism link to access the information 24 hours a day or call (800) 523-2587 and request a calendar of events be mailed to you. 

 

Outdoor activities are emerging. The Monmouth County Park System offers Earth Day Open House at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center in Howell on April 18; Sheep Shearing/ Wool Days April 25 and 26 at Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel, and the Donna 5K Lane Memorial run/walk at Thompson Park in Lincroft on April 26. Historic Allaire Village in Allaire State Park, Wall, features 19th century beehive oven baking on April 5. A sunrise Easter service will be held in the village chapel April 12, an 1830s auction is April 25 and the concert series begins April 24.
               
Meet the Easter Bunny and join an Easter egg hunt April 4 and 5 at Pier Village in Long Branch. He’ll hop on over to Jersey Shore Premium Outlets April 11 and 12.
               
Asbury Park’s famous First Saturday Night is April 4. The Garden State Film Festival is April 2 through April 5 at Convention Hall. Kingdom, a hip-hop style musical based on gang stories, will be held in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall from April 16 to May 3.
               
Red Bank’s Count Basie Theatre will present Johnny Mathis, Loretta Lynn, Connie Francis, the Broadway musical Movin’ Out, the Marshall Tucker Band, the Moscow Cats Theatre and the Jersey Shore Rock-n-Soul Revue. the Algonquin Arts Theater in Manasquan has Seussical the Musical, the Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea and Stein Brothers jazz.
               
Monmouth University offers a rich schedule of theater, art, poetry and music throughout the month. The 1958 movie, Elevator to the Gallows is free at 2 p.m. on April 2. 
            
“There’s much, much more at our Calendar of Events,” DeYoung said. “It is updated daily and is a valuable resource for residents and visitors each month. Visitors can find a wide variety of events and attractions for young and old alike. People can also stop at our office at 1 E. Main St., Freehold, to find one of the largest selections of brochures and leaflets for everything from antiquing to fishing tournaments to motor sports.”
           
The county’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism office is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. For more information, call (732) 431-7470 or (800) 523-2587 during business hours or log onto the county Web site anytime at www.visitmonouth.com.

 

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