Monmouth Senior Scoop: Weekend Festivals, Free Music & Shore Finds

👋 Hello, Monmouth friends!

Midweek has arrived, and Monmouth County is apparently determined to keep us out of the house. We’ve got beach-town festivals, outdoor concerts, art walks, library programs, health screenings, bluegrass, jazz and one not-so-secret speakeasy tucked inside a burrito spot!

🎡 Fairs & Festivals
🎭 On Stage
🌳 In the Parks
🎻 Special Performance
🩺 Health Happenings
🏖️ Beach Bragging Rights
🍸 Local Flavor
🍦 Sweet Return

Up first…

Monmouth County is leaning hard into the season this week, with beach-town festivals, outdoor concerts and flea market finds!

When: Wednesday, June 10, 4–7 p.m.
Where: Newark Avenue, Bradley Beach

Take the grandkids! Bradley Beach is getting in on the World Cup fun with games, giveaways, face painting, a DJ and local vendors. Stick around for the free soccer expo match on the sand at 6 p.m. Info

When: Wednesday, June 10, 7–9 p.m.
Where: Cambridge Park, 400 Lloyd Road, Aberdeen

Ease into the evening with live jazz in the park. Bring a chair, relax and enjoy the kind of summer night that makes you briefly forget your inbox exists.

When: Thursdays, June 11–September 3, 7–8:30 p.m.
Where: Great Lawn Stage, Great Lawn Beach, Long Branch

Long Branch’s summer concert series brings live music to the oceanfront every Thursday night. Pack a blanket, bring snacks and let the sea breeze do its thing. The season wraps up with fireworks on Sept. 3. Info

When: Friday–Sunday, June 12–14
Friday: 5–10 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Where: Asbury Park, 1300 Ocean Ave. N.

AsburyFest returns with food, live entertainment, local shopping and peak shore-town festival energy. Info

When: Saturday, June 13, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
Where: The Historic Village at Allaire, 4263 Atlantic Ave., Wall Township

Hundreds of vendors will be selling antiques, collectibles, crafts and vintage finds at Allaire’s popular flea market. Info

When: Saturday, June 13, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: Ocean Grove, Neptune Township

Ocean Grove hosts a coastal makers market with local artisans, handcrafted goods, coastal-themed finds, live music, food trucks and kids activities. Info

When: Saturday, June 13, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where: Main Street, Manasquan

Main Street turns into an art path with local and regional artists showing and selling paintings, drawings, photography, collage, mixed media and more. Local musicians will also perform along the way, giving your stroll a soundtrack. Info

When: Saturday, June 13, noon–5 p.m.
Where: Downtown Spring Lake, Third Avenue
Rain date: Sunday, June 14

Spring Lake goes green for a day of Irish music, dancing, food, drinks, shopping and family fun. The rain date is June 14. Info

Monmouth County’s stages are busy this week, with everything from Grammy-winning folk-rock to tribute shows and a major gala night.

When: Wednesday, June 10, 7:30–10 p.m.
Where: Count Basie Center for the Arts, Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank

The Indigo Girls are bringing four decades of music, signature harmonies and plenty of “Closer to Fine” energy to Red Bank. Emily Saliers and Amy Ray have sold more than 15 million records and helped open the door for generations of LGBTQ+ artists in the mainstream. Info

When: Thursday, June 11, 1:30–5 p.m.
Where: PNC Bank Arts Center, 116 Garden State Parkway, Holmdel

If “Sweet Caroline” still gets the whole room involved — and it does, every single time — this afternoon tribute show promises to be special. Bonus: Special guest Shadows of the 60’s will also perform. Info

When: Thursday, June 11, 7:30–10 p.m.
Where: Count Basie Center for the Arts, Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank

The Happy Together Tour returns to Red Bank for a benefit concert supporting the Light of Day Foundation and its work to help end Parkinson’s disease, ALS and PSP. The lineup includes The Association, The Troggs, Ron Dante, Jason Scheff, The Vogues, Gary Puckett, The Cowsills and The Fortunes. Info

When: Saturday, June 13, 8–11 p.m.
Where: Count Basie Center for the Arts, Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank

Two powerhouse voices share one stage for the Count Basie Center Centennial Gala. Expect soaring songs, big moments and probably a few goosebumps that were not in the ticket price but come included. Info

The Monmouth County Park System has a little bit of everything this week.

When: Wednesday, June 10, 7–8:30 p.m.
Where: Thompson Park Theatre Barn, Lincroft
Reader registration: Recommended by calling 732-542-1642, ext. 4648
Cost: Free

Guests are invited to read their own work or share poems from favorite writers during an evening of rhythm, verse and literary community. Readings must be appropriate for a family audience.

When: Thursday, June 11, 7–8 p.m.
Where: Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center, Aberdeen
Cost: Free

Those little flashes in the yard? They are not just summer mood lighting. A Park System Naturalist will explain what fireflies are really doing when they light up at night.

When: Friday, June 12, 7–8:30 p.m.
Where: Thompson Park Theatre Barn, Lincroft
Cost: Free

Bring lawn chairs, blankets, food and soft drinks for an outdoor concert featuring the Sentimental Journey Big Band, led by vocalist Altha Morton. The concert will move indoors if the weather misbehaves.

When: Saturday, June 13, 1–3 p.m.
Where: Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Cost: Free

See how scraps of wool or felted wool from old clothing were turned into mats and rugs. Basically, upcycling before upcycling had a Pinterest board.

When: Sunday, June 14, 1–2:30 p.m.
Where: Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Cost: Free

Experience laundry day the late Victorian way, from lighting the wood stove to ironing the aprons. Charming? Yes. A reminder to appreciate the spin cycle? Also yes.

The Fish and Whistle Bluegrass Band is bringing high-energy live music to the Howell Library Branch.

When: Thursday, June 11, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Where: Howell Library Branch

The band plays a lively mix of bluegrass, country, acoustic rock and more, with multiple lead singers, mandolin, banjo and some seriously impressive guitar flat-picking. The musicians range in age from 22 to 70+, which means this is truly a multi-generational jam — and probably proof that good music does not care what year you were born.

Hackensack Meridian Health is offering free in-person vision screenings at the Hazlet Township Library Branch.

When: Friday, June 12, 1–3 p.m.
Where: Hazlet Township Library Branch, library meeting room
Who: Adults and seniors
Registration: Not required
Cost: Free

Nurses from Hackensack Meridian Health will provide free visual acuity screenings. Translation: a simple check to see how clearly you’re seeing — without turning it into a whole medical production.

Tucked inside 10th Ave Burrito in Belmar, Fish & Whistle is the kind of Shore spot that feels like you accidentally found the cool room at the party. Part dive bar, part speakeasy-style hideaway, part “wait, how did I not know this was here?” situation, the Belmar hangout has been building buzz since opening in November 2025.

Expect creative cocktails, whiskey drinks, quirky decor, local art, donated records, live vinyl DJs, themed bingo nights and watch parties. And because this place clearly understands its audience, you can donate a record for a free beer — or add a Coors Banquet and whiskey shot in a cowboy boot glass to any sandwich order for $4.

A longtime Jersey Shore favorite is back in business — and yes, ice cream is involved, so this counts as important news.

After being closed for six years, Nagle’s Apothecary Café has reopened at 43 Main Ave. in Ocean Grove. The beloved spot was purchased last year by Kelly Ryan, longtime owner of The BoonDocks Fishery in Red Bank, and has been restored to its pre-2019 look with a few fresh touches.

Fans can expect the return of some old favorites, including the 1940s-era soda fountain counter, hot open-faced sandwiches and the piano that once filled the café with music on Fridays and Saturdays.

In other words: cue the ice cream, the nostalgia and maybe a little piano music with your sandwich!

Links to the latest news on aging from trusted media sources.

Experimental Pill Promises New Hope for Deadly Pancreatic Cancer: A novel pill helped people with advanced pancreatic cancer live longer, raising hopes of long-needed better treatments for one of the deadliest types of cancer. Associated Press, May 31.

Dehydration in Older Adults: Risks, Signs and Prevention: Your risk of dehydration – and your chances of experiencing serious side effects – increases with age. U.S. News & World Report, June 4.

Got a New Medicare Card in the Mail? How To Spot the Real One From a Scam: If you just received an unexpected new Medicare card, it’s likely legitimate. Here is the real reason behind the massive 2026 reissuance. The Street, June 3.

How to Retire on a Cruise Ship: From Medicare gaps to housing choices, life aboard a cruise ship demands more planning than many expect. U.S. News & World Report, June 3.

A 5-Point Checklist for Managing Your Aging Parents’ Money: Nothing truly prepares you for the day you’re sitting across from your aging parents, trying to piece together a financial picture they have spent a lifetime likely keeping private. The New York Times, June 6.

Your Social Security Check Could Be Cut By $500 a Month In 2032, Report Finds: The millions of Americans who rely on Social Security could see their monthly benefit checks slashed by an average of about $500 if the program's retirement trust fund becomes insolvent. MoneyWatch, June 4.

Big birthday love to Elli S. of Keyport, who is turning 70 this week. Seventy! That is not just a birthday — that is a full-on “clear the table, bring out the good cake and let someone else do the dishes” kind of milestone.

Wishing Elli a week filled with good health, big laughs, sweet surprises and absolutely no one saying, “You don’t look 70,” because honestly, what is 70 supposed to look like anyway?

Elli is also sharing birthday week with a pretty solid celebrity lineup:

June 10: Singer Shirley Alston Reeves of The Shirelles is 85. Model-actor Elizabeth Hurley is 61.

June 11: Singer Joey Dee of Joey Dee and the Starliters is 86. Actor Roscoe Orman of Sesame Street is 82. Actor Adrienne Barbeau of Maude is 81. Singer Graham Russell of Air Supply is 76. Actor Peter Bergman of The Young and the Restless is 73. Actor Hugh Laurie of House is 67.

June 12: Sports announcer Marv Albert is 85.

So happy birthday, Elli — you’re in very good company, but we’re giving you top billing.

Two Monmouth County beaches just earned national bragging rights.

USA TODAY ranked Asbury Park and Avon-by-the-Sea among the top beaches in New Jersey — but, honestly, tell us something we don’t already know!

From Avon’s classic, family-friendly shoreline to Asbury Park’s iconic boardwalk, music, food, and arts scene, Monmouth County beaches have always been a point of pride for residents and a must-visit for beachgoers.

But the recognition is still worth celebrating. It reflects the year-round dedication of our shore communities, beach staff, small businesses, and residents who help keep our coastline clean, welcoming, and full of character.

So a big congratulations to Asbury Park and Avon-by-the-Sea. We’re glad the rest of the country is catching on!😎

That’s the midweek lineup, friends. Go forth, hydrate, and report back to us any interesting happenings in your town! Just hit reply to this email.

See you Friday,
The Monmouth Senior Scoop team

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Disclaimer: As always, event details can change. Please check with organizers before heading out. Monmouth Senior Scoop is here to keep you informed and entertained, but we’re not your doctor, lawyer, financial adviser or GPS.😊