Celebrate September Your Way

Whether you’re craving fall or hoping to extend summer, you’ll find the best of your favorite season in Monmouth.
Cheryl De Leon,
1 Celebrate September

September at the Shore is a sweet spot: The crowds thin out, the weather is still showing off and there’s plenty of fun left on the calendar. It’s the perfect time to trade beach bags for backpacks and get out to explore all that Monmouth has going on.

From festivals and fairs to family activities and fall-flavored fun, there’s something for everyone—whether you love summer or adore autumn. Here are a few September happenings to put on your calendar:

For summer vibes

Sept. 18

  • Put on your boots and dancing shoes for Monmouth County Parks’ Open House Square Dance at the Thompson Park Activity Barn in Lincroft. From 7 to 9 p.m., visitors can give square dancing a try during the family-friendly program, which will be led by the Middletown Ramblers. The event is free and open to all residents ages 14 and older. Those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Sept. 19

  • Do you love comics, movies, video games, animation and music? The Red Bank Pop Culture Festival returns to downtown Red Bank in conjunction with comic shop Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash. From noon on, check out vendors and exhibitors, meet and greets with artists and actors, costume contests, great music and much more.
  • For a day in the sun, community and amazing food, don’t miss the Spring Lake Italian Festival. This annual event brings an Italian specialties food court to Morris Avenue for all to enjoy, and it’s filled with all the pasta you can eat. Then listen to live music and wander through the adorable downtown. The rain date is Sept. 20. The fun starts at noon.
  • Celebrate everything you love about the seaside, from boating to kite flying and everything in between, at Monmouth Park System’s annual Wind & Sea Festival. Starting at 11 a.m. at Bayshore Waterfront Park in Port Monmouth, you can take part in fishing, crabbing, kite flying, seining, shell painting, sand sculpting and much more. It’s perfect for a day out with the kids. Admission and parking are both free.

Sept. 26

  • Bounce houses, carnival games, food trucks, live music—you’ll find all of that and much more at the first-ever Foundation Funfest, presented by the Foundation for Manalapan Englishtown Regional Schools (MERS). Head over to Ivy League Day Camp from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for all the fun. Admission is free, but rides and games are extra. Proceeds will benefit the students of the MERS.

For fall flavor

Now through Oct. 4

  • Red Bank’s Two River Theater brings one of the best plays by one of America’s best playwrights to life this season. August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning The Piano Lesson pits brother against sister as the Charles family fights over the fate of their prized heirloom—a hand-carved piano. History, identity and legacy all clash on stage, and the ending will leave you breathless. Multiple seatings are available, including matinees.

Sept. 19

  • You can’t go back in time, but you can go to Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal and see Glen Burtnik’s Summer of Love Concert. This show presents an “authentic ’60s rock festival” on one stage—all in one night. Performed by a 14-member cast, including seven lead vocalists, full horn, strings and rhythm sections, you’ll see the psychedelic magic of the 1960s conjured right before your eyes. The show starts at 8 p.m.

Sept. 19–20

  • Welcome the new season at Historic Village Allaire in Farmingdale, where the Fall Harvest Festival offers an all-weekend celebration. Shop from over 50 craft vendors, enjoy all-day live music performances, say hello to (and pet!) farm animals, register for a pie baking contest—and that’s just the start. The gates open at 11 a.m. every day.

Sept. 27

  • Enjoy an old-fashioned country fair at the Harvest Home Festival, taking place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm. The event will give visitors a taste of what life was like in the 1890s and will feature live demonstrations, games and activities for all ages, food and more.
  • The Monmouth Moms will hold its Fall Festival + Resource Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bell Works in Holmdel. The family-friendly event will include more than 80 local vendors, live music, kids’ activities and games, seasonal treats and dozens of resources such as schools, sports organizations, dance studios and more.

Be sure you read the September issue of MONMOUTH for more tips, trends and things to do.

 

Categories: Monmouth Health & Life