New Jersey Leisure Guide Monthly Newsletter
August, 2020

At this time, and until further notice,  COVID-19 executive orders  in effect apply to large public gatherings such as concerts, festivals, and fireworks.
Some outdoor recreational areas and businesses have been able to restart their operations. These include;
Restaurants are open for outdoor dining.  Beaches, State and Municipal Parks, and recreational campgrounds are open for passive recreation, including fishing, hunting, boating, canoeing, kayaking, hiking,  jogging, biking, birding, horseback riding, and more.

Atlantic City's casinos are open at 25% capacity.
Playgrounds and outdoor amusement parks and water parks in the Garden State can also reopen with boardwalk rides will be limited to 50% of typical guest capacity and must enforce social- distancing rules on rides and in lines. Face coverings for guests and staff are required

With near term cancellations occurring at a rapid rate, and despite trying to remove them as soon as we learn of the cancellations or restrictions, we  recommend viewers contact the event sponsors before heading out to a listed event to confirm their status.

This Edition's Contents...

• Popular August Things To Do
• Seasonal Frequently Asked Question
• This Month's Featured Restaurant

Note: This information is provided by event sponsors as a free service to our viewers. 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 2020 Things To Do

As of the date of the publication, the listed activities have not been cancelled, though many are operating with some restructions.

25th Annual Highlands Clam Festival
Friday, July 31st to Sunday, August 2nd, 2020: Hours: Fri 6pm-11pm, Sat 12pm-11pm, Sun 12pm-8pm
Huddy Park
329 Bay Ave #325
Highlands, NJ
Website
This family event will feature live entertainment, games, children activities, amusement rides, specialty vendors, crafters, beers, wine and sangria garden, local seafood, and more.

The Beer BBQ Bacon Showdown
Saturday, August 1, 2020: 12PM – 5PM
Firemens Field
144 Beach St
Rockaway, NJ
Website (tickets & event schedule)
Cost: $20, $60, $90
This event features only New Jersey Beer, coupled with restaurants, gourmet food trucks & Chefs, offering a delectable array of mouth watering BBQ & Bacon creations, all available for purchase. There will be a competition to showcase their culinary skills, with a panel of celebrity judges choosing the best of the best, along with People's Choice awards for Best Dish & Best Beer. 30 New Jersey Breweries will be in attendance, each bringing 4 styles of Beer. One of these styles will be either a rare Beer or a Brew created specifically for this event. The event will take place outdoors and under tents, with some fantastic Music!

Italian Festival and Wine Tasting
August 1, 2020; Gates open 7:30am, First Race 12:50pm
Monmouth Park
Oceanport, NJ
Website
An Italian festival with bocce ball, Italian food, crafters, wine tasting and some horse racing.
For only $10 enjoy 5 two-ounce samples of Italian wines and receive a commemorative wine glass.

Manahopkin - Craft Beer and Music Festival
Saturday, August 1st, 2020; 11:30am to 8:30pm
Manahawkin Lake Park
193 East Bay Avenue
Manahawkin, NJ
Website
Cost: $25 for each session
This family friendly Craft Beer and Music Festival features over 50 different beers from 25 breweries, local food, and live music.. Those who will not be drinking will be admitted at no cost. Drinkers will be required to buy a glass and tickets for beer samples, allowing you to sample as many beers as you wish.
Two sessions: 11:30am-3:30pm and 4:30pm-8:30pm

Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market - Outdoors
August 1 - 2, 2020; 10 am-5 pm; Rain or Shine.
in the parking lot of the CURE Insurance Arena
81 Hamilton Avenue
Trenton NJ,
Just two blocks from the Roebling Wire Works!
Website
Cost: $5 at the Door (good for both days) Punx 10 & under are free!
Masks are required Free parking at in Cure Arena parking lot!
This family friendly event, previously held indoors, will feature a celebration of two days of inclusiveness, individuality, the arts, music, family, friendships, small businesses, DIY culture and most importantly… community. There will be some of the area's finest food trucks, vendors selling vinyl, vintage, handmade, original items; interesting curiosities; unique collectibles & more.
For safety concerns, there will be sanitizing stations, hand washing stations, and plenty of room to social distance.

Friday Night Fireworks on the Beach Has Returned to Wildwood
Beginning August 7th until September 4th, 2020: at 10pm (Rain date is Sunday at 9 p.m)
On the Rio Grande Avenue beach
Wildwood, NJ
Website
 (609) 523-1602
This weekly event previously canceled up until now because of the pandemic, has now returned.
Visible from almost anywhere on the Wildwoods Boardwalk! Hear the fireworks explode to a musical score that is played all along the Boardwalk and is simulcast on 98.7 The Coast.

The New Jersey Jerk Fest
Saturday, August 8, 2020
Arbor Rescue Squad Lot
1790 West 7th Street
Piscataway, NJ 08854
Website
Cost: $5 - $10
The New Jersey Jerk Fest is anticipating to be the largest Caribbean Festival in the New Jersey. It has a broad general market appeal as the popularity of 'Jerk' transcends easily across the New Jersey area's dynamic, multi-ethnic population.
This family event features local chefs and restaurants cooking up variations of Jerk food, Food trucks and food vendors, Local performers & Live stage acts, A Beer garden, Craft and other shopping vendors, Bouncy Houses and other Kids Activiies

Celtic Weekend
Saturday and Sunday, August 8 & 9, 2020: 11:00am-5:00pm
Historic Cold Spring Village
720 Rt. 9 South
Cape May, NJ  
Website
Come out and celebrate all things Celtic.
The Celtic Weekend features musical entertainment throughout the grounds, interactive demonstrations and a pub area with all-day live music. The Village's restored, historic buildings will also be open, with historical interpreters demonstrating the trades and crafts of the 1800s.
T he weekends musical entertainment will be throughout the grounds. Main stage performances will include sets by Nae Breeks Pipes & Drums Band, which is comprised of members of the famed Atlantic City Sandpipers, on Sunday. Joe McGonigle will entertain all weekend long along with world-renowned musician Tom Brett. Mike Dupuy Falconry will be joining us again on Saturday and Sunday. The New Jersey Irish Setter Rescue will be at the event, accompanied by the loveable breed to meet with visitors.

Canal Day Festival
August 15, 2020 (Rain or Shine)
Hugh Force Canal Park
170 West Central Ave.
Wharton, NJ
Website
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 festivities & display at Robert Street Park beginning at 7:00 PM Admission is Free

Cheers in Chester Wine & Beer Festival
Saturday, August 15, 2020; 3PM – 7PM
Municipal Field
134 Main St,
Chester, NJ
Website
Cost: $15 – $55
This event features over 100 styles of craft beer & wine, fantastic live music, delicious food & wonderful vendors. Plus it's a Benefit for the Chester First Aid Squad!

New Jersey Friends of Clearwater Festival
August 15, 16, 2020; Saturday: 11am - 7pm; Sunday: 11am - 5pm
Riverside Gardens Park
West Front Street
Red Bank, NJ
Website
Free event
Join in the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Pete Seegers birth. For "The Love of Pete"
Top Name Local & International Performers! on Three Stages.

MPAC Drive-In Concert - The Weeklings – Beatles Bash
Tuesday, August 18, 2020: at 6:30 pm (rain date August 19)
Fosterfields Historical Living Farm
73 Kahdena Rd
Morristown, NJ
Website/Tickets - Tickets are $125 per car (preferred seating) and $100 per car (general admission). Tickets must be purchased in advance through the MPAC Box Office on-line or 973-539-8008.
New Jersey's The Weeklings are America's most unique tribute to the music and inspiration of The Beatles, performing explosive renditions of Beatles classics, uniquely arranged Beatles nuggets plus brilliant Beatles-inspired power-pop originals. Featuring Glen Burtnik, Bob Burger, John Merjave and Joe Bellia.
All proceeds will benefit MPAC's recovery.

Comedian Bert Kreischer's Hot Summer Nights Tour 2020 - Drive-in
Wednesday, August 19, 2020; @ 7pm
Monmouth Park
Oceanport, NJ
Tickets: ($135 per vehicle, $250 / $199 gold circle) are on sale now exclusively through Ticketmaster.com --- A maximum of four (4) occupants will be permitted per vehicle.
Bert Kreischer is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer and host who performs to sellout crowds across the globe. His standup specials "Secret Time" and "The Machine" are currently streaming globally on Netflix and his third special, "Hey Big Boy," debuts on the platform in March. Described as having a "rare and incredible talent" (Interrobang), Bert has evolved from being named Rolling Stone's 1997 "Number One Partier in the Nation" to one of the top names in comedy.
Vehicles will be spaced approximately 9' apart. Windows may remain open at this distance. Cars will park in a staggered fashion to achieve spacing and best visibility. Patrons must remain inside their vehicle cabins. Patrons may only leave their vehicles only to use restrooms, and will be required to wear masks and maintain social distancing. Portable, single-stall restrooms will be cleaned between patrons.

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

Urie's Waterfront Restaurant
588 West Rio Grande Ave.
Wildwood, NJ
Website
It's one of the best places in Wildwood for waterfront dining. Uries is a Wildwood landmark restaurant and a popular eatery for very casual dining and outstanding water front views. Located at the foot of the Wildwood Bridge, there is both is outside dining on the waterfront deck. A great place to experience that "Jersey Shore" feeling by sitting back and watching boats pass by while enjoying a drink at happy hour or staying on for a casual meal.
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.

NJ Drive-in Events - Down in the dumps over canceled concerts and festivals due to the COVID-19? Check out these venues offering drive-in concerts and movies.

Monthly Events - This page has links to events that appear in future months, usually 3-4 months in advance. The Monthly newsletter that you are receiving includes many of the events found on the pages.