New Jersey Leisure Guide Monthly Newsletter
May, 2020

In response to this unprecedented crisis that is affecting our health concerns, with limits placed on public gatherings, we are expeiencing a high rate of event cancellations and closures of public parks and beaches. Before heading out to an event or venue, our viewers are advised to confirm the event and activity listed below to ensure thay have not be cancncelled or closed since publication of this newsletter.

The arrival of May is the month for the unofficial beginning of summer when visitors will flock by the thousands to the Jersey shore to hit the beaches and the boardwalk amusement parks.

. This Edition's Contents...

• Popular May Things To Do
• Seasonal Frequently Asked Question

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

Popular May 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.

Old York Virtual Spring Wine Festival
May 1,2, 3, 2020: 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM    
Facebook Page
The Virtual Wine Festival will be hosted on their Facebook and YouTube pages. Many of the festival participants will be engaging in live chats on Facebook throughout the weekend. Viewers will have the opportunity to purchase wines and Laurie's Chocolates prior to the Festival in order to join the tastings from home. The winery will be donating 10% of wine sales made from April 28 to May 3 to the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund. Viewers will also have links to support the other businesses and performers featured during the Virtual Wine Festival.

Thomas Edison Black Maria Film Series Goes Virtual
Now through May 31, 2020
Join in for Vitual Access
The Black Maria Virtual Film Festival in partnership with the Hoboken Historical Museum presents award-winning short films completely free of charge – no strings attached - for as long as the pandemic lasts.
View the films – Choose a curated program or a single short film – animation – experimental – documentary – narrative

Cape May Zoo "Virtual Zoo School"
Videos will be featured on their Facebook Page and their Website, daily at 11:30 AM.
Join in Monday through Friday at 11:30 AM as we take you on a virtual tour of the zoo! Each day we will feature a short clip of a different animal and teach you all about it. At the end of every clip we have a challenge for YOU to do right at home. You can show us how you completed your challenges by sharing photos or videos on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram

Physick Estate Virtual Tour
Website/Virtual Tour Access
This is an abbreviated version of their normal 45 minute guided tour.
The Physick Estate today offers a look back at our Victorian past as evidenced by its architecture, decorative arts, customs, and the lives of one particular Cape May family, the Physicks. Emlen Physick Jr., his widowed mother, Frances Ralston, and his maiden aunt, Emilie Parmentier, moved into their home when it was completed in 1879. The Physicks' distinctive home illustrates their changing tastes as well as the particulars of the Victorian lifestyle in Cape May.

The Beer BBQ Bacon Showdown
May 16, 2020: 12PM – 5PM
Lewis Morris Park
Doe Meadow Field
270 Mendham Road
Morristown, 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!

Swing Combo Salsa Music Festival
Saturday May 23, 2020: 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Millyard Park
South Clinton Avenue adjacent to the Roebling Marketplace
Trenton, NJ
Website
(609) 443-8560
A special evening of music featuring Swing Combo, Kombo Latino, and Son Siete

The New Jersey Jerk Fest
Saturday, May 23, 2020; 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
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

Jersey City Jazz Festival
Friday, May 29 - Sunday, June 7, 2020
J. Owen Grundy Park
Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ
Web Site For schedule and updated information
Email: [email protected]
Free admission
The Jersey City Jazz Festival, formerly known as the Riverview Jazz Festival,is a 10-day celebration beginning with an opening party at J Owen Grundy Pier and culminate in a two-day outdoor free-to-the-public festival on the Newark Pedestrian Plaza near the Grove PATH.
Events during Jazz Week will be hosted throughout Jersey City and will include a featured show at White Eagle Hall

3rd Annual Brunswick Square Food Truck Festival
May 29th – 31st, 2020: Friday: 5pm-10pm / Saturday: 1pm-10pm
Brunswick Square Mall
The front entrance parking lot of the along Route 18
East Brunswick, NJ
Website
Cost: $5 Adult Admission / Kids 12 & Under Enter Free / All Active & Inactive Military, Police & EMS Enter Free with Show of I.D.
East Brunswick prides itself on uniqueness, artistic, culinary talent and diversity. This event promises to be a top food truck festival that offers gourmet food and entertainment that will culturally enrich the entire community's experience and keep them and their neighboring counties coming back each year for more. There will be live entertainment all weekend with Bands, DJ Music, and over 15 Food Trucks and Local Vendors, and a Kids Zone

Seasonal Frequently Asked Question:

Question: Family Reunion. We are planning a family weekend reunion with lodging, meals and activities, preferably a rustic environment on a lake or the Jersey Shore and within driving distance of the major airports. Budget is flexible.

Answer:  Try the Crystal Springs Resort in Vernon, NJ-  As an alternative, for that out of the ordinary family reunion, check out the Rustic Private Party and Event Venues and Event Planners that can suggest venues with overnight accommodations and arrange the entire event.

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

May 2020 Events - This months events includes concerts, theatre, festivals, sports, and entertainment, that have appeal to people of all ages and interests.

Virtual events and Tours - Events and venues that have offered stay at home access to to New Jersey attractions and events.

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.