This juried art show, sponsored by the Ocean Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held on Saturday, July 31 from 9-4 on the boardwalk.

On Friday July 15, 2010 the Historical Society of Ocean Grove will be holding their Annual House Tour.  This is one of the most popular summer events in Ocean Grove.

The Present Meets the Past event is a  self-guided walking tour taking visitors to various sites within this Victorian community.  

The tour, held rain or shine, includes some of Ocean Grove’s historic edifices as well as lovely Victorian homes, tents,  Bed and Breakfasts, and tours of the Great Auditorium and the Centennial Cottage. Transportation service is also provided to help convey visitors from one distant site to the next.

The House Tour gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience ways in which the charm and graciousness of Victorian life and architecture can be adapted for 21st Century living.

Ticket donations are $25 in advance or $30 on the day of the tour,  For more information call 732-774-1869.

If you are looking for a place to cool off this summer, of course there are the beautiful beaches in our area.  But if you would like to bring your children to someplace different you should check out the various water parks and “spraygrounds” that Monmouth County has to offer.

Dorbrook Park (209 Route 537, Colts Neck) has a water playground that squirts chlorinated, re-circulated water.  Although it is designed for babies, toddlers and younger children, don’t be surprised to find tweens having a blast too.   Free admission   http://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?ID=2503

Runaway Rapids Waterpark (Keansburg Beach)  Bring your sunscreen and bathing suits for a day of water slides (over 18 different slides),  a lazy river, two spa pools, kiddie lagoon area and a separate toddler play area.  Click link for coupons http://www.keansburgamusementpark.com/CouponsOnLinePrint.asp

Asbury Splash Park (Asbury Park Boardwalk).  The new waterpark on the boardwalk is officially open! Hours are 10am – 6pm. The all day price is $9 for children and $5 for adults. The price for after 4pm is $6 for children and $3 for adults. 

Turkey Swamp Park  (Georgia Road and Namoco Rd, Freehold)  

If you don’t feel like getting wet, you can spend the day at Turkey Swamp Park.  Here you can fish for bass, catfish, and bluegills either from the shore or from kayaks, rowboats, canoes and paddleboats available for rental in summer. Boat rentals are available weekends only from May 1 through June 19 and then daily until Labor Day and weekends only again from Labor Day through Columbus Day. Boat rental hours are 10am-4:30pm.  The cost of boat rental is as follows:   

• 1 hour – $11.50
• each additional 15 minutes - $3
  A refundable deposit of $10 is required for individual rental. Group rentals are available; deposit of $50 is required. 

  http://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2540

RED BANK

MIDDLETOWN…..This is a seasonal open-air market featuring fresh produce, baked goods, gourmet vinegars, pickles, olives, breads, raviolis, fresh mozzarella, teas, organic items, jewelry, clothing and much more.
Middletown Train Station parking lot on Middletown-Lincroft Road in Middletown, New Jersey

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS…..A wonderful variety of fruits and vegetables. WIC & Senior FMNP vouchers accepted by some farmers.

Veteran’s Park, First Avenue 12 noon – 6 p.m.

MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP…..This community farm market offers a variety of fruits & vegetables; plants; flowers; eggs; local honey   Corner of Route 571 and 524. Saturdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. WIC & Senior FMNP vouchers accepted by some farmers

LONG BRANCH……..The West End Farmer’s Market offers organic produce, local flowers, plants, organic-prepared jams, salsas, dips, bread, Italian specialties. Also available are cheeses, crafts, olives, pickles, pies, salad dressings, cakes, desserts

**Opens June 17^th. Thursdays 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

139 Brighton Avenue (Public Parking lot across from Jesse’s Café on Brighton)

KEYPORT…..A variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables as well as flowers, breads and many other items. Waterfront Mini Park, 70 West Front Street (opposite Borough Hall)

**Opens in July. 1 p.m. – sellout

to benefit Manasquan Elementary School, St. Dennis School and the Chamber of Commerce

12 NOON TO 4 PM •   $20 IN ADVANCE •    $25 DAY OF EVENT

VISIT TWENTY-FIVE EATERIES AND SAMPLE A VARIETY OF MANASQUAN’S FINEST CUISINES!

HOW THE EVENT WORKS

• At your own pace, visit all of the eateries in any order that you wish and enjoy a delicious sample of the chef’s creation!

IN PERSON: Cash or Check payable to the Manasquan Chamber

of Commerce. Tickets are available at the following retailers while quantities last:    Bouquets to Remember, BookTowne,

Gatherings, Manasquan Lighting and The Corner Bagelry.

BY MAIL: Include name, address and number of tickets with a check payable to Manasquan Chamber of Commerce, 107

Main Street, Manasquan NJ 08736.

Pre-purchased ticketscan be picked up at Manasquan Lighting the day of the event.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 732.223.8303

http://mls.momls.com/MonmouthReports/ListitLib/report_builder.aspx?category=1&r1=qoyoS0vyOx5LtxOLq9RB3u-m&m1=drid7YYYDB&footer=52555249&maillog_id=7445783740

Mark Your Calendars… The 25th Annual Beach Sweep On April 24, the nonprofit Clean Ocean Action marks a quarter century of keeping our beaches, rivers, lakes and streams clean and free of debris–with a big springtime event that takes place at over 60 locations statewide, including the Asbury Park  and Point Pleasant boardwalks.

The goal of the Beach Sweeps is to reduce and eliminate sources of litter.  The Beach Sweeps events are more than people picking up trash from beaches.  This program builds community support for solutions, as well as raises awareness about the negative impacts of litter on wildlife and the ocean. 

Volunteers are needed all over; go to www.cleanoceanaction.org to register and find out more about this project.

Admission to Twin Lights is free and guided tours are available with advanced reservations.