New Jersey Leisure Guide Monthly Newsletter
August 2021

You'll find lots of interesting things to do in New Jersey in August 2021. This is a great time of the year with warm summer weather still in effect and the end of the peak vacation season nearing the end. It's also a great time to of the year to visit many of the cultural festivals.

This Edition's Contents...

• Popular August Events & Things To Do
• Seasonal Frequently Asked Question
• This Month's Featured Restaurant
  
  Note: Sometimes conditions require cancellations or changes of dates, times and location which are not reflected in the original schedule. Before planning a trip to visit one of the listed events, it is suggested that you call the event sponsor to confirm the event schedule or for additional information on the event.
  

August 2021 Events & Things To Do .

Tropicana's Free Fireworks Series
Every Saturday at 10 p.m.
Tropicana Casino & Resort
2831 Boardwalk
Atlantic City, NJ
Website
609-340-4000
Free Event
Fireworks can be viewed all along the beaches or boardwalk of Atlantic City.

Basie Center's Concerts On the Green
Outdoor concerts throughout the summer, lasting until Saturday, September 11, 2021
Historic Suneagles Golf Club
Tinton Avenue
Fort Monmouth
Eatontown, NJ
Schedule & Tickets
Price: $39–$89

Seaside Heights Summer Concert Series
Free Outdoor concerts on Monday & Thursday evenings, ending on Monday, August 30, 2021.
Two locations: On the beach & the Franklin stage,
Seaside Heights, NJ
Check Schedule & location

Warren County Farmers' Fair --- Hot Air Balloon Festival
July 26 — August 7, 2021
Warren County Farmers' Fairgrounds
1350 Strykers Rd.
Phillipsburg, NJ
Website
908-859-6563
Admission - Adults: $9 Ages 6-12: $5 Children 5 and Under: Free Free Parking: Admission is for both the Farmers' Fair and the Balloon Festival
In addition to the Hot Air Balloon Festival, this event features live music, a Rodeo, with bull riding, barrel racing and horse racing, Truck Pulls, Tractor Pulls and Demolition Derbies, a Wrestling Clinic, children's activities, and more.

Middlesex County Fair
August 2 thru 8, 2021; ( Monday-Friday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm; Saturday: 11:00am - 11:00pm ; Sunday: 11:00am - 10:00pm)
County Fairgrounds
655 Cranbury Road
East Brunswick, NJ
Website/Tickets --- Tickets will be available on line and at the gate.
Cost: $10 for adults, $4 for seniors over the age of 65, $4 for children between the ages of 3 and 10, and Free for children under 2. Free Parking
This annual event promises to be a week full of fun with live entertainment, carnival rides, local fair vendors, a variety of homemade, beginning with Fireworks on pening night August 2 (rain date August 3), There will be a live band every night, with the featured performance, the Amish Outlaws, on August 4th. There is no "typical" Amish Outlaws show. The Amish Outlaws constantly surprise the audience and keep them guessing as to what they could possibly play next, from Johnny Cash to Jay Z, Lady Gaga to Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, Pitbull to Elivs Presley, and more.

Atlantic County 4-H Fair
August 6 - 7, 2021
Atlantic County 4-H Fairgrounds
3210 Rt. 50
Mays Landing, NJ
Website/Activity Schedule
609-625-0056
Admission is Free, but there is a $4 parking fee.
This event features activities where visitors can see and interact with animals, watch shows, demonstrations, musical acts, and amusement rides. They can take part in Saturday's public events – the Baby Parade, Tractor Pull, and Pet Parade – and each of the three days of Fair talk to members and volunteers.

Highlands 26th annual Clam Festival
August 6, 7, 8, 2021
Huddy Park
Shore Drive
Highlands, NJ
Website
732-291-4713 
This three-day festival will feature seafood and other dishes from local restaurants, live entertainment, children's activities and specialty vendors.

Butterfly Festival
Saturday, August 7, 2021; 10AM - 4PM
Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association
31 Titus Mill Road
Pennington NJ 08534
Website
Price: $10 per person or $25 per carload (up to six people)
The event will feature tours of the Kate Gorrie Butterfly House, and the Insect Zoo. Enjoy music and live entertainment by the Trenton Circus Squad and Eyes of the Wild (a live exotic rescue animal show). Young children will delight in being a part of the famous “Butterfly and Bug Parade” led by Lady Monarch, Ms. Allison.
Adults and older children can learn about watersheds and the need to protect our rivers, lakes and streams through educational hands-on exhibits. Food and drink will be available for sale and you can purchase butterfly wings, and other fun items at the Watershed Nature Shop.
Proceeds from this event help sustain our work in environmental conservation, advocacy, science, and education. The Watershed Institute is a member-supported non-profit dedicated to protecting and restoring clean water and healthy environments in central New Jersey.

Hops at the Hangar
August 7, 2021; 3PM – 7PM
Central Jersey Regional Airport
1034 Millstone River Rd
Hillsborough, NJ
Website/Registration
Cost: $15 – $70
A rain or shine event. Pets Welcome.
This event features 30+ breweries, including your favorite local and domestic breweries. Each attendee will receive a souvenir tasting glass and have the opportunity to sample many unique and popular craft beers. Enjoy live music from Stereo Junkies Band. Delicious food available for purchase from Food trucks, great vendors, games & merchandise. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Rotary Club of Branchburg

The Italian American Association of Ocean Township Annual Italian Festival
August 11th – 15th, 2021
Joe Palaia Park
corner of Deal and Whalepond Road
Ocean Township, NJ
732-517-1040
Website
This four day Italian Festival annually attracts over 80,000 people with a taste for our traditional foods and wholesome family fun. Celebrating Italian heritage and culture! * * FREE ADMISSION * *
There's something for everyone! From sampling the great taste of Italy's delicious food, rides, games, music, and fireworks display on Friday at 9 pm. This year's festival promises 5 fun filled days of entertainment for the entire family.

Craft Beer, Music & Crab Festival
August 14 & 15, 2021
The Physick Estate
1048 Washington Street.
Cape May, NJ
Website
Located on the beautiful grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate for a two-day festival featuring local and regional craft beers to wash down favorite summer food, live music, and kids activities. There wqill be steamed crabs, pulled pork, crab cakes, shrimp and hot dogs, as well as food from regional vendors.
This event is FREE to attend. Varying costs for food, beer, and crafts vendors.

The 2021 Atlantic City Airshow
August 18, 2021
Boardwalk
Atlantic City, NJ
609-345-4524
Website
free event
This event dubbed “A Salute to Those Who Serve,” will feature the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds in their F-16 Fighting Falcons as the headlining act for the 18th annual show. The Air Force is also sending its F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team to show off the awesome power of this fifth generation fighter aircraft. In addition there will be the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights parachute team and The Skytypers fly six World War II-era aircraft.
Atlantic City's free beaches and Boardwalk have great views of the Airshow. Ocean-facing hotel rooms and outdoor venues will also have views of the show.

Canal Day Music & Craft Festival
August 21, 2021 (Rain or Shine) @ 10am
Hugh Force Canal Park
170 West Central Ave.
Wharton, NJ
Website
Admission is Free
An old time country fair that celebrates the Morris Canal and its contributions to the development of the communities along its banks. Come to a day of free family fun featuring a craft show, great food, educational events and enjoy a day of listening to a wide variety of musical entertainers. Musical performances from New Jersey’s best artists will feature Rock, Blues, Country, Classical as well as traditional and contemporary Irish Folk Music. performing on two stages. Learn about local history by taking a guided Morris Canal walking tour provided by the Canal Society of NJ. Experience life on the Morris Canal first hand by traveling down the canal on a free boat ride or prove your prowess by paddling a kayak. Fireworks at Dusk .

Barefoot Country Music Fest
August 19 - 22, 2021 (rain or shine)
On the beach between the famous Morey's Piers
Wildwood, NJ
Website / Tickets
This is the Northeast's largest outdoor country music festival hosting a unique blend of country music's top artists and up-and-comers on multiple stages including Carrie Underwood, Zac Brown Band, Dan + Shay, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Billy Currington, Jimmie Allen, Jon Pardi, Chris Lane, and 30+ more performers. With the combination of country music and the scenic Wildwood's backdrop, this family-friendly, three-day festival is a summer vacation destination.

Cape May Lighthouse Full Moon Climb
Sunday, August 22, 2021
Cape May Point State Park
215 Lighthouse Ave.
Cape May Point, NJ
Website
Admission for night time climbs is $20 for adults and $10 for children (ages 3-12)
Climb the 199 steps to the Watch Gallery at the top of the Cape May Lighthouse, to enjoy the grand vista of the evening sky and the full moon from atop this majestic beacon at nighttime.

Michael Arnone's Crawfish Fest
August 27-29, 2021
The Sussex County Fairgrounds
Rt. 206 to Plains Road
Frankford, NJ
Website/Tickets
On-site Camping and camping hook-ups.
3 day New Orleans Style Music, Food, and Camping Festival. Featuring the best Music and Food that Louisiana and New Orleans has to offer. Cajun, Zydeco, Delta Blues, New Orleans R&B, Brass, Gospel and Jazz on 3 Stages. To really enjoy the "nor-leans" experience, you can try a taste of fresh Boiled Louisiana Crawfish trucked in alive, Crawfish Bread, Shrimp Creole, Crawfish Bread, Crawfish Pie, Alligator Sausage, Crawfish Po-boys, Jambalaya, Southern Fried Chicken and the other great dishes with a menu price of $12.00 or less per dish.

Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Festival
Saturday, August 28, 2021 from 3 PM - 9 PM (Rain or Shine)
The Great Lawn on the Long Branch Promenade
Long Branch, NJ
Website
This music festival features a mix of strong national and local musicians performing live Jazz and blues on stage.

Seafarer's Weekend
Saturday & Sunday, August 28th & 29th 2021; 11:00am-4:00pm
Historic Cold Spring Village
720 US 9
Cape May, NJ
609-898-2300
Website
This event will feature pirates, music, and family fun. The Village buildings will be open, featuring historically clothed interpreters who will demonstrate the trades, crafts, and lifestyles of Early America. Kaptain Kristian and Red will be present to tickle your funny bone.

Seasonal Frequently Asked Question:

Question: Crabbing in NJ. We are planning to go crabbing. What do we need to know and what are the best spots?

Answer: Crabs can be caught from a rental row boat using a drop line or a scoop net along the bay dock pilings, or with a net and bait along the side of a creek, Less popular but very effective is trotlining. It's a long line, resting on the bottom and anchored at both ends with a string of bait attached at intervals of two to six feet. Click here for information on the best crabbing spots in NJ

This Months Featured Restaurant

Barrio Costero
610 Bangs Avenue
Asbury Park, NJ
(732) 455-5544
Website
Barrio Costero (Spanish for "coastal neighborhood") is a contemporary restaurant that features eclectic coastal Mexican cuisine. It is one of Asbury Park's upscale dining hot spots. The fare is much lighter, healthy, and eclectic than Tex-Mex.
Read Review

Top Ten Things To Do in August - The popular NJ seasonal outdoor and indoor activities, events, attractions, and points of interest for people of all ages.

Your Guide To The Best Peach Picking Farms In New Jersey - If you love peaches and enjoy getting out with the family for a fun activity, head on out to a pick your own peach farm and take home fresh, fully ripened, and flavorful peaches --- peaches that you aren't able to get at the local supermarket.

Your Guide to New Jersey Labor Day Weekend Events - Parades, Fireworks, Concerts, Festivals and other weekend events