For Immediate Release:

April 4, 2013

 

April is blossoming with activity

It’s spring! Take a walk on the outside

 

FREEHOLD, NJ - The never-ending winter has finally finished. 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 residents will take advantage of all the events Monmouth County has to offer,” said Freeholder Director 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. April is a wonderful month to visit the many parks and golf courses of the Monmouth County Park System. Historic Walnford will host “Celebrating Blue, A Bluebell Festival” on April 14 which will feature family-friendly activities, crafts, storytelling and more.

The parks will be bustling with activity on April 20 and 21 during the Earth Day Open House Weekend, where you will find outdoor activities at several park locations. This will be followed by the Great Spring Perennial Plant Swap on April 27 at Deep Cut Gardens, the Spring Craft Show on April 27 at Tatum Park and the annual Sheep Shearing and Wool Days demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm on April 27 and 28.

Other family-friendly, outdoor activities include the Early Spring Flea Market at Historic Allaire Village on April 20 and Ocean Grove’s Spring Fling Arts & Crafts Festival on April 27.

The Annual Garden State Film Festival, New Jersey’s largest film festival, will take place April 4 through 7 at the Paramount Theater on the Asbury Park Boardwalk.

Spring Lake’s 3rdAnnual Fashion Weekend Extravaganza will commence on April 27. This is a great opportunity to visit the town’s premier boutiques, independent retailers, hair and beauty salons and restaurants as they offer a full day of designer trunk shows, make-up demonstrations, salon specials, wine tastings, prix-fixe dinners and more.

Calling all foodies: Catch “A Conversation with Bobby Flay” on April 22 at the Count Basie Theatre and get an insider’s view of the world of Food Network and the restaurant and food industry from the Emmy-winning chef and author.

You could have a tough decision to make on April 28 as the Asbury Park Restaurant Tour, which features small bites and demonstrations at over 25 participating restaurants and the Red Bank International Flavour (sic) Festival highlighting international food and spirits both take place on this day.
 
You won’t want to miss the 16th Annual Brookdale Guitar Show at the Student Life Center in Lincroft on April 14 or the 2ndAnnual Tri-State Theatre Festival, a special performance of original short plays presented by the South Street Players at Wesley Hall in Spring Lake on April 19 and 20.

Musical offerings are widespread throughout the county this month. One Night of Queen will be performed at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank on April 10, Ryan Beatty will appear on April 12, Jon Faddis and the Red Bank Jazz Orchestra will present a Gershwin Spectacular on April 14 and Chris Botti will entertain on April 30. Monmouth University hosts some good ones, too. Legendary blues guitarist John Hammond will perform with Billy Hector at the Pollak Theater on April 5 and Southside Johnny & The Poor Fools will play on April 13.

April’s stage performances include the uproarious comedy “Marriage is Hazardous to Your Health” at the First Avenue Playhouse in Atlantic Highlands from March 29 through April 27, “Noir” at the New Jersey Repertory Company in Long Branch from April 4 through May 5, “The Electric Baby” at Two River Theater Company in Red Bank from April 6 through May 5 and “Guys & Dolls” at the Spring Lake Theatre on Fridays and Saturdays in April starting the 12th.

This is only a glimpse of the musical and theatrical performances happening this month. For more great events, including history and art, 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 One 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.