All The July Events In Monmouth County Parks

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Celebrate Parks & Recreation Month by heading out to your county parks this July! It’s never been easier thanks to the Monmouth County Park System and all its family-fun offerings.

Here's everything planned this July:

Seining Along Sandy Hook Bay

Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, July 1-31 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth – Meet on the beach near the parking lot.

Discover a variety of fish, crabs, and other sea creatures as we pull a long seine net along the edge of Sandy Hook Bay. Closed-toe shoes are required. Parents or guardians are required to stay with and supervise their children. No swimming during the event. This program is designed for individuals and families. Weather permitting. FREE!

Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir

Wednesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. & 4 p.m.
Friday, July 3 at 6 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Saturdays & Sundays, July 4 & 5, 11 & 12, 18 & 19, and 25 & 26 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5 p.m.
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell - All tours leave from the Visitor Center.

These 45-minute tours are narrated by Park System naturalists and include opportunities to view local wildlife. The cost is $6 per adult and $4 per child, age 12 and under. Children must be two years of age or older to attend and able to sit independently during the duration of the tour. Please call 732-919-0996, ext. 4526, to confirm schedule as tours are both weather and water level dependent. Life-jackets required. Tickets can be purchased on day of tour only.

Life in a Freshwater Pond

Thursdays, July 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen - Meet outside the Visitor Center.

Explore a freshwater pond with Park System Naturalists. We’ll look for basking turtles, hopping frogs, hunting herons, splashing fish, and anything else that catches our eye. We will also discover the unique life that lies underneath the water in a freshwater pond. Wear closed-toe shoes. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. Weather permitting. FREE!

Independence Day Celebration

Saturday, July 4 from 12-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Join the farm staff as they celebrate the holiday with games and contests. FREE!

Thompson Park Canoe Rentals

Saturdays & Sundays, July 4 & 5 and 18 & 19 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Thompson Park, Lincroft
Canoes will be available for rent on Marlu Lake. All equipment provided; limited number of canoes available. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. All rentals must be returned by 3 p.m. The cost is $15 per boat for 1-3 people for two hours; cash or check only.

Milling Demonstration

Saturdays & Sundays, July 4 & 5, 11 & 12, 18 & 19, and 25 & 26 at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

See the 19th century gristmill grind corn into meal. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. FREE!

The Libby Prison Minstrels

Sunday, July 5 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Hear historical songs performed by the Libby Prison Minstrels about life on the battlefield and the home front during the Civil War era. FREE!

Tidal Tuesday - Seining the Cove

Tuesdays, July 7, 14, 21 & 28 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area, Manasquan

Seine for a variety of fish, crabs and other sea creatures along the cove during this Park System Naturalist-led program. Closed-toe shoes are required. Parents or guardians are required to stay with and supervise their children. No swimming during the event. Weather permitting. FREE! Park System Hosts Tidal Tuesdays At Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area In Manasquan

Open Shoot Archery

Saturday, July 11 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft

All equipment is provided for this open shoot. No outside equipment permitted. This is not an instructional clinic and NOT designed for beginners. If you are new to archery, register for one of our instructional classes prior to attending. Open to ages 10 and up; under 18 with adult. The cost is $10 per person; cash or check only.

Lacemaking Demonstration

Saturday, July 11 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Watch lacemaking in action as our demonstrator shows the historic techniques of crochet, bobbin and shuttle work used in the Victorian era. FREE!

Rigging 101

Saturday, July 11 from 1-3 p.m.
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell - Meet at the West Dock/Ramp.

If you are an experienced sailor but do not have a sailing certification or would like to refresh your skills, attend this session and learn how to rig our 15’ American sailboats. Sailors showing proficiency will have an opportunity to obtain a Monmouth County Park System sailing card, which will allow them to rent these boats during our drop-in sailboat rental times. FREE!

Disc Golfing

Saturdays, July 11, 18 & 25 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Big Brook Park, Marlboro – Sign in at the pool house.
Bring your friends or family and challenge each other to a round of disc golf. The baskets are set up in varying lengths from 150 to 250 feet. We'll provide the discs or bring your own. Open to ages 5 and up; under 18 with adult. FREE!

Saturday Swim Time at Big Brook Park

Saturdays, July 11, 18 & 25 from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.

Big Brook Park, Marlboro

Enjoy the pool at Big Brook. The cost per day is $35 per family (up to 4 people); $10 per person; cash or credit card. Weather and conditions permitting.

Victorian Laundry Demonstration

Sunday, July 12 from 1-2:30 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

From lighting the wood stove to ironing the aprons, experience a late Victorian laundry day during this demonstration. FREE!

Open Mic Poetry - The America I Dream Of and/or Poems Inspired by the American Revolution

Sunday, July 12 from 3-4:30 p.m.
Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft

Explore or recite literary works during a time of alliteration, rhythm and verse. All are welcome to read your work aloud or read work from your favorite poet(s). Must be appropriate for a family-oriented audience. Pre-registration is recommended for readers. FREE!

Concert in the Park: American Folk Rock with Jackson Pines

Friday, July 17 from 7-8:30 p.m.
Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft - Concert is outdoors but will move inside if weather is inclement. Recently named "Band of the Year" by NewJerseyStage.com and The Aquarian Magazine, Jackson Pines will perform original and centuries-old folk songs. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets, food and soft drinks. FREE!

Casual Birder

Tuesday, July 21 at 9 a.m.
Big Brook Park, Marlboro
Join a Park System Naturalist for this laid-back morning bird walk and meander through the park for about an hour and a half to see what birds we can find. No need to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow if needed. FREE!

Nature Lecture - Understanding Dolphin Behavior

Wednesday, July 22 from 7-8 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth
Learn about these marine mammals and how their presence contributes to the diverse ecosystem thriving along the Jersey Shore during this talk by a Park System Naturalist. FREE!

Monmouth County Fair

Wednesday-Friday, July 22-24 from 4-11 p.m.
Saturday, July 25 from 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sunday, July 26 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
East Freehold Showgrounds, Freehold
This annual tradition includes 4-H shows and exhibits, amusement rides, entertainment, home and garden competitions, opening night fireworks (weather permitting), and more. Admission is $10 per person; children 12 and under are free. Veterans and active military with ID also enter for free. On Sunday, seniors 65 and older and students with ID are free. Half price admission will be offered the first two hours each day (4-6 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday & Sunday.)

The Park System has a number of sites listed on the National Registers of Historic Places that open for free tours during the warmer months including:

Historic Battery Lewis
Saturdays & Sundays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
May 23-October 11
Hartshorne Woods Park - Use Rocky Point entrance in Highlands.

Historic Holmes-Hendrickson House
Saturdays & Sundays from 12-3 p.m.
April 25-October 18
Holmdel Park, Holmdel

Historic Portland Place
Wednesday-Sunday at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
May 2-November 15
Hartshorne Woods Park, Locust section of Middletown

Historic Racing Stable
Friday-Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
May 2-October 18
Thompson Park, Lincroft

Please note that these historic sites may close due to inclement weather and on county holidays.

To learn more about these Park System activities, please visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call the Park System at 732-842-4000. For persons with hearing impairment, the Park System TTY/TDD number is 711. The Monmouth County Park System, created in 1960 by the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, is Monmouth County’s Open Space, Parks and Recreation agency.