New Jersey Leisure Guide Monthly Newsletter
May, 2019

This is that long awaited month and great time of the year as the weather warms up and people flock to enjoy the many exciting outdoor NJ activities. May is also the month for the unofficial beginning of summer when visitors will head out by the thousands to the Jersey shore to hit the beaches and the boardwalk amusement parks.

. This Edition's Contents...

• Popular May Events and 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

Popular May 2019 Events and Things To Do

Chester Food Truck and Music Festival
Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 11 AM - 7 PM
Municipal Field
134 Main St,
Chester, NJ
Cost: $5
Facebook Page
Over 20 gourmet food trucks, 3 great bands, craft beer & sangria garden, kids activities, benefit for the Chester First Aid Squad, Chester Food Pantry & Historic Chester Business Association. Bring your appetite, lawn chairs, pups and blankets. Dine on excellent food, while enjoying the beer and sangria garden along with the amazing sounds. Face painting, vendors, kids activities.

Skylands Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival
Saturday, May 4, 2019; 12:00 - 7:00 PM
Skylands Stadium
94 Championship Place
Augusta, NJ 07822
(973) 383-7644
Website
Adults: $5, Children 12 and under: Free
This family event features more than 25 food trucks with a variety of delicious fare • Over 100 craft beers • A variety of hard ciders, hard sodas, flavored drinks, and wine • Backyard games and activities, including Ladderball, KanJam, Wiffle ball, volleyball, carnival games, and bounce houses • Great live music • Sports on our giant video board • Shopping with local vendors • Free parking

Red Bank International Beer, Wine & Food Fest
Sunday, May 5, 2019; 12PM – 7PM
White Street Parking Lot
Red Bank, NJ
Website
Cost: $5 Donation for anyone over 10
The Annual Red Bank International Beer, Wine & Food Festival is a family friendly, outdoor celebration of International food, music, wine and beer! Twenty of Red Banks finest eateries will be selling specialty International menu items from tented areas throughout the festival! International wines and beers will also be available for purchase. The festival features unique vendors and great live music on multiple stages, a kids area, and family fun,

Hoboken Spring Arts & Music Festival
Sunday, May 6, 2018; 11am to 6pm
Washington Street
Observer Highway to 7th Street
Contact:
Hoboken Division of Cultural Affairs
201-420-2207
[email protected]
Website
Admission is free
Featuring over 300 artists, sculptors, photographers and crafts people with 3 stages of live performance. More than a music festival, there will be; Fine artists displaying oil paintings, watercolors, acrylics, sculpture, mixed media, photography, etc
Children’s activities with rides, games, creative activities, face painting, sand art, balloons, live performances and much, much more. Crafters displaying and selling handmade: pottery, metalwork, wood items, furniture, blown & fused glass, quilts, household items made from recycled materials, batik clothing, hand painted furniture, candles, jewelry, dried florals, soaps & lotions and other unique handcrafted items. And of course what's a Hoboken festival without food. There will be great food throughout the fair. Hoboken restaurants will set up street cafes offering an eclectic variety of international foods such as: Thai, Indian, Greek, French, Mexican, Cajun and Italian.

Branchburg Food Truck & Music Festival
May 11, 2019; 11AM – 7PM
White Oak Park
235 Baird Rd
Branchburg, NJ
Facebook page
Cost: $5, Kids under 10 are free
Food! Beer! Music! Fun! New Jersey foodies, eat your hearts out! It’s a fun filled family day! 20 Gourmet Food Trucks, beer & sangria, partnered with some incredible bands, vendors and kids activities make for an enchanting and fulfilling Spring day.Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Branchburg in conjunction with Branchburg Township

Take Mom to Atlantic City for the Annual Mothers Day Music Festival
Mother's Day Music Festival: w/ Maze featuring Frankie Beverly and KEM
Saturday, May 11, 2019; 7:00PM
Boardwalk Hall Arena
Atlantic City, NJ
Tickets
Atlantic City's historic venue, the renovated Boardwalk Hall hosts the annual Mother's Day Music Fest, one of the most popular R & B events of the year. This years event will feature co-headliners Maze with Frankie Beverly, and KEM. This concert will also feature two of the music industry best R&B voices, Al B. Sure and Christopher Williams.

Take Mom to a Mother's Day Brunch and Early Dinner Cruises on the Hudson
May 12, 2019
Spirit of New Jersey
1500 Harbor Boulevard
Lincoln Harbor Marina
Weehawken, New Jersey 07086
201-333-8600
Website
Give Mom the day off and treat her to a special day full of festivities and fun aboard Spirit! with a cruise along New York Harbor. Spirit Cruises will be offering a delicious three-course dinner buffet, DJ entertainment, onboard games, and surprise treats for the Moms onboard. Treat mom to an unforgettable and unique experience with her family on the water, on a very special day, while admiring the skyline of the greatest city in the world!

Azela Festival
Sunday, May 12, 2019 (Mother's Day) 10 am - 4 pm
Sayen Botanical Gardens
155 Hughes Drive
Hamilton, NJ
Website
This annual event features a magnificent display of over 250,000 flowering bulbs, dogwoods, azaleas and rhododendron, beautifully landscaped walking paths, fountains, bridges, lakes, gazebos and breathtaking scenery. Craft and food vendors, along with musical entertainment and children activities will provide fun for the entire family.

Camp Jam in the Pines Music Festival
May 16, 17, 18, 19 2019
Paradise Lake
500 Paradise Drive
Hammonton, NJ
Music line-up & Tickets
A popular annual event for music lovers who love to camp, jam around the bonfire and share stories. Attendees decorate their tents, make new friends and chill in the Pine Barrens.
This is 3 days of musical camping bliss, with a variety of genres including bluegrass, pop, funk, blues, and country.
Paradise Lake Campground is located in the heart of the Pine Barrens, surrounded by Wharton state forest. The secluded campground features a Cedar lake and a beach on which our main stage is built.
This is a family event with lots to do including free workshops, classes, and fun events throughout the weekend for the entire family.

33rd Annual New Jersey Seafood Festival
Friday, May 17 - Sunday, May 19, 2019; Rain or shine event.
Downtown Belmar
Belmar Plaza Parking Lot Between 8th and 10th Avenues
Belmar, New Jersey.
Website
Free admission and shuttle from downtown, marina and train station.
Feast on your fill of crab cakes, steamed clams, combo platters and more during this years Seafood Festival. Hometown favorites Ragin' Cajun, Klein's, Jake's Downtown, Simply Southern, Marina Grille, and Mr. Shrimp Seafood Restaurant were among the participating Belmar restaurants.
Food will be for sale at each individual vendors booth.

Jersey Shore Festival
May 17th and 18th, 2019: (rain or shine)
Seaside Heights, NJ
Website (Information and line-up)
(732) 203-7787
FREE ADMISSION,
This event features performances by over 300 artists from around the world. Aside from the music, the Jersey Shore festival also includes activities that are fun the for whole family including BMX and Skate Shows, Motocross Shows, Ford Car show, Pro's vs. Heroes Charity Flag Football Game, Free Monster Truck Rides, Food Trucks, the JSF Vendor Village, and much more!

The Beer BBQ Bacon Showdown
May 18, 2019 (12pm-1pm VIP HOUR; 1pm -5pm General admission)
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!

Meadowlands Racetrack's Spring Beer Fest
Saturday, May 18, 2019; 4:30 PM - 9:30 PM ( rain or shine)
Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment
1 Racetrack Dr.
East Rutherford, NJ 07073
201-846-2446
Website/Tickets
201-218-9061
Walk-up tickets available
Admission : $75 VIP Tickets, $35 GA Tickets ($45 at the door)
This beerfest features 60+ total producers breweries, great food, plus watch and wager on the world's greatest harness racing (post time 7:15 pm).
$75 VIP Ticket: includes admission, VIP Lounge, special VIP food buffet, tasting glass, Exclusive VIP tastings and 1 additional hour of sampling (limited to 200).
$35 GA Ticket: includes admission, tasting glass and 4 hour sampling.
$45 for day of GA ticket purchase: includes admission, tasting glass and 4 hour sampling All ticket holders have access to samplings, pairings, educational seminars and more.

New Jersey Renaissance Faire
May 18, 19, 25, 26 & June 1, 2, 2019
1195 Florence Columbus Rd
Bordentown, NJ 08505
Website
Event Contact Phone: 888-864-8222, Email: [email protected]
Event Cost: $10-$25; Free admission for children under 5 years old. Free Parking
The New Jersey Renaissance Faire is an event of epic proportions! This year, the Faire celebrates its 10th glorious season.
Located on the beautiful 60 acres of Liberty Lake, the Faire is the largest festival of its kind in the state of NJ, and has made a name for itself as the most interactive Renaissance Faire in the country. A event features family entertainment on seven stages hosting a variety of performances each day of the Faire, including sword fighting, music, comedy, fire breathing, and aerialists. Over 50 actors welcome guests as they enter through the castle gates!
In addition to the 7 hours of non-stop entertainment, there is an extensive merchant village featuring the work of talented artisans, and delicious food and drink, including Beer and Wine courtesy of the South Jersey Celtic Society and Valenzano Winery.

Taylor Dayne to Kickoff the Summer Celebration in Seaside Heights! 
Friday, May 24, 2019; 2PM - 8PM (Taylor Dayne beginning at 6pm)
Boardwalk
In front of Spicy Cantina
Seaside Heights, NJ
Website
Free Event
This event will feature a performance by American Pop Icon, Taylor Dayne!
Beginning at 2pm on the Boardwalk in, WJRZ fm 100.1, Jersey’s Greatest Hits radio station will kick off the Memorial Day Weekend with a LIVE Broadcast.
Taylor Dayne turned into an overnight sensation with her groundbreaking debut single, “Tell it to my Heart” in 1987.  She became in international star and followed with number one smash hits such as “Love will Lead you Back”, “Prove your Love”, and “I’ll Always Love You”.

Bradley Beach Memorial Day Weekend Festival
May 25, 26, & 27, 2019; 11 am - 8 pm
Ocean Ave.
Website
Contact: 732-776-2999 Ext. 1050
This annual family event features one mile one mile of food vendors, Crafters, and Kids jumping house and rides, including 6 bands and emcee/DJ playing requests, and over 180 craft and specialty vendors 25 food vendors with something for everyone Great oceanfront location Children's activities including water slide, rides, face painters and sand art.
The Annual Memorial Day Parade will start on Saturday, at 10am on Ocean Avenue and Bradley Blvd.  The annual parade features several local school marching bands, pipe bands from around the state.

Fleet Week at Liberty State Park
Sunday, May 26, 2019: Noon until 5:00 PM
1 Audrey Zapp Dr.
Liberty State Park
Jersey City, NJ
201-915-3400
Event Flyer
Event is free and open to the public.
This family event features the U.S. Navy (USN), U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) as they showcase the latest capabilities of today's maritime services. Event will include a performance by U.S. Fleet Forces "Brass Band;" USN and USMC helicopter static displays; USN Dive Tank; USO; USMC Martial Arts Program demonstration and pull-up challenge; USCG Search and Rescue demonstration; USCG Silent Drill Team and USMC Battle Color Detachment performances; military static displays, including Stewards of the Sea, World War I Commission, Submarine Forces, USMC ordnance and vehicles; kids activities, bounce houses and face painting, food trucks and much more!

Wildwood Crest Summer Kickoff Concert
Sunday, May 26, 2019 @ 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Centennial Park
Fern Road and Ocean Avenue
Wildwood Crest, NJ
 609-523-0202
Website
Free admission
Live music for the entire family at the entertainment pavilion with Kevin Miller's Smashed, performing rock hits from the '80s and '90s, along with some of today's hits. Miller is the former lead drummer for '90s national rock act Fuel. Bring a blanket or a chair.

Annual Michael Arnone's Crawfish Fest
May 31 - June 2, 2019
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 4 Stages.
This years lineup features:
Aaron Neville(Saturday), The Marcus King Band(Sunday), Neville Jacobs (Friday), Rebirth Brass Band, Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience, Cowboy Mouth, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Walter Wolfman Washington and The Roadmasters, Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie, Bishop Gunn, Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet, John "Papa" Gros, Jonathon Long, Flow Tribe, Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes, Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas, Darcy Malone & The Tangle, Amanda Fish, The Iceman Special, Jesse Lege & Bayou Brew, Tony Smith & The You Know How We do Crew and Big Mamou.

Seasonal Frequently Asked Question:

Question: We are planning a family reunion for about 75 people at either an indoor or outdoor facility, We want to keep costs down and were thinking of doing it at a barn or farm, where we can bring in our own food, alcohol and music. Can you recommend some places?

Answer: With alcohol involved, your best options as you indicated would be at a rustic private party venue such as a barn, farm, and possibly a private campground. Please visit Rustic Private Party Venues for a list of suggestions.
Bear in mind that do it yourself event planning at a " bare bones" venue has many additional requirements that the venue may require:

If you plan to uses a caterer they may need to submit proof of license & insurance. Some venues will allow you to bring in your own homemade foods

When you are permitted to provide your own alcohol, you may be required to use a Licensed Bartender.

Insurance --- You made need to obtain special events insurance. You can obtain a rider on your homeowners or renters insurance. You may also obtain a stand-alone policy from your insurance agent. If your caterer is serving alcoholic beverages, the caterer may need to submit a Certificate of Liability Insurance naming the venue as additional insured.

New Jersey Restaurant Reviews - New Jersey has over 23,000 restaurants and finding about them is often times a time consuming task. Find a restaurant in a town of your choice with comprehensive restaurant reviews.

This Month's Featured Restaurant:
The Molly Pitcher Inn
Red Bank
An historic landmark hotel, serves an exceptional Sunday brunch overlooking the Navesink River.A great place to celebrate Mother's Day.
Website
Restaurant review

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.

Mother's Day Events The best New Jersey Mother's Day Events and things to do

May 2019 Events - This months events includes concerts, theatre, festivals, sports, and entertainment, that have appeal to people of all ages and interests.

Memorial Day Weekend Events - he best New Jersey Memorial Day Events, Paredes, and things to do

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.