July 2018 Happenings in the Toms River Area

Summer is in full swing and here are some great area events to enjoy... ----------------------------------------------- FUN EVENTS COMING UP SOON The 2018 Toms River Shakespeare Festival presents William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." "Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind..." Schedule: Huddy Park: July 19-22 (Thursday - Saturday 7PM. Sunday at 3PM) FREE.. Bring your lawn chair. The mission of the Toms River Shakespeare Festival is to bring the works of William Shakespeare (and other great classics) to the banks of the Toms River. For more info, contact Toms River Shakespeare Festival: Email: lori.k.garrabrant@gmail.com Website: www.trshakespeare.org/ -------------------

Summer in the Street This old-time street festival happens Saturday, July 21, Noon to 6PM on Washington Street, Downtown Toms River. Stroll the street and enjoy crafters, vendors, kids’ rides, a beer garden, and live entertainment. Children can enter the "Kid's Zone" where they can play free games and activities. There’s Summer fun to be had for the entire family. Admittance is free. Parking is free in the Downtown area the day of the festival. The event is RAIN or SHINE. -------------------

Wooden Boat Festival The Toms River Seaport Society hosts this annual nautical-themed event in Huddy Park, Downtown Toms Rvier. See beautiful antique wooden boats in the water around the park. Nautical arts & crafts and other items will be displayed throughout the park’s walkways. The event takes place on the same day as Summer in the Street...Saturday, July 21. The Wooden Boat Festival runs from 9AM to 3PM, and is free to attend. Rain or Shine. ------------------

EXIT 82 Presents: The Drowsy Chaperone - July 6 - 29 2018 - Playing Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm at the Exit 82 Studio Theater at 73 Main Street in Toms River. Visit https://www.exit82theatre.com for more information. Winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Original Score, The Drowsy Chaperone is a loving send-up of the Jazz Age musical, featuring one show-stopping song and dance number after another. ------------------

Dirty Heads Concert - Sunday July 22, 7:30 PM · Seaside Heights, NJ · Seaside Heights, New Jersey Dirty Heads perform at The Classic American Boardwalk in Seaside Heights, NJ on the beach stage. Free admission if you recycle any empty Monster Energy can. One admission per can. Persons under 18 years of age must be accompanied by parent or guardian. ------------------

The TOMS RIVER FARMERS MARKET continues each Wednesday, from 11am to 5pm on The Ocean County Parking Garage Lawn along Hadley Ave. Convenient FREE parking is available in the Parking Garage. NJ Jersey Fresh farmers feature fruits & vegetables, baked goods, pickles & olives, Italian specialties, herbs & spices, candy & nuts, NJ wine, homemade soaps, homemade guacamole, coffee, and much more! The first Wednesday of each month celebrates specific Jersey Fresh Fruit and vegetables. For more info, contact Downtown Toms River Business Improvement District: 732-341-8738 -----------------

TAKE NOTE: The “Downtown Trolley” is now operating in Toms River! The NEW trolley is making its rounds throughout Downtown this summer. The trolley is FREE and runs Monday through Friday from 8am-6pm -- AND Saturday & Sunday from 10am-8pm. It will travel a continuous loop throughout the downtown district. The driver can be contacted via a hands free device at any to time to find the trolley’s location - call 609-846-4064. See the Trolley Route.

Spring 2017 Events

Spring Greetings from Toms River Online... After the long winter, you're probably anxious to start enjoying the improving weather. Below, we'll let you know about some upcoming Spring Events, as well as some resources to help you with Spring yard clean-up and other chores. 

FUN SPRING EVENTS COMING UP SOON The Spring event season kicks off during the month of May. First up is the Toms River Food Fest on Saturday, May 6th. This is a full day of food and fun on Washington Street, Downtown Toms River, from 11am to 8pm. They'll be food trucks, vendors, live music, kid's activities and more. Later in May, the 28th Annual NJ State Chili and Salsa Cookoff happens along Washington Street in Downtown Toms River. The event is Saturday May 20th, from 11am to 5pm. Chili tasting, musical entertainment, and vendors make it a very fun day.

The Toms River Farmers Market returns beginning Wednesday, May 24th at a NEW LOCATION:  The Farmers' Market is NOW located at the Ocean County Parking Garage Lawn, 28-46 Hadley Ave. The Market takes place every Wednesday throughout the Spring, Summer, and early Fall - 11am to 5pm. There is convenient Free Parking in The Ocean County Parking Garage.  See our full events listing. In addition to Events, see our Things to Do page that provides additional ideas for places to visit and fun activities you can find in our area.

SPRING RESOURCES - HIGHLIGHTS FOR SPRING First...have you registered your child for SUMMER CAMP? Programs are filling up fast. Use our Summer Camp directories to get information and to register for local camps. Directories: Toms River Online Summer Camps  &  Bricktown Online Summer Camps  Our Landscaping & Lawn Care Directories will help you find the perfect company to clean up and maintain your property: Toms River Online Landscaping  &  Bricktown Online Landscaping. Swimming pools and spas always need a lot of maintenance, and our Pools and Spas Directories will point you in the right direction for assistance in opening and caring for your pool: Toms River Pools & Spas  & Bricktown Pools & Spas. See more Seasonal Resources. View our full Business Directories to find all kinds of local businesses. Toms River Online Business Directory  &  Bricktown Online Business Directory.

Spring is Here - Time to Get Your Home - and Yourself - In Shape

Spring kind of came on fast this year....after a mild Winter, we now need to switch gears into an early Spring. I don't know about you, but the seasonal change-over this time of year is really tough. There seems to be lots of things that need attention and not enough time to deal with them. The yard, the deck, the house...all seem to have some degree of Winter damage. My waistline, too!

In order to help you get these tasks done, Toms River Online has put together a "Springtime Resources" page. The page has a list of many the directories of local businesses that will do work around your house and property, so that you can get make your Spring cleaning and fixing get done faster and easier.

Oh...and for that Winter "spare tire" around your middle...I recommend checking out the directory of "Gyms and Fitness Clubs"...you'll be happy if you get a handle on this now, since after spring.... comes summer days at the beach. Make sure you're in good enough shape to put your swimsuit on.

Over the Bridge - Fun Events Soon in Seaside Heights

Spring in Seaside Heights brings some fun events...

Here's a quick overview:

Ocean County St. Patrick's Day Parade, Saturday March 12, 2016, 12:00pm, On the Boulevard, Seaside Heights. This is a fun-filled Irish parade with bands, bagpipers, floats, and marchers, and a street celebration where everyone is Irish! Local bars and restaurants will be open (green beer!).

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Palm Sunday Egg Hunt - March 20, 2015, Start time 1:00 pm Search for Easter eggs on the beach in Seaside Heights! Girls and boys up to ten years of age can participate in the Palm Sunday Egg Hunt. Follow the signs to the “Age Groups” to uncover the hidden eggs…up to 15,000 eggs! You will earn prizes, like FREE ride tickets, skeeball games and food and it’s all FREE and open to kids up to age ten. There will also be a challenger area for kids with special needs.

Age groups report to:

0-2 > Hancock Avenue 3-4 > Blaine Avenue 5-6 > Sumner Avenue 7-8 > Hamilton Avenue 9-10 > Lincoln Avenue

Special Needs – Kearney Avenue

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Annual Easter Promenade - March 27, 2016, Starting time: 10:00AM

This is the time to show off your Easter finery! Registration for the event begins at 10AM on the Boardwalk and Webster Avenue. Flowers (Carnations) will be passed out on the Boardwalk and Webster Avenue by Seaside Heights Mayor and Council (while supplies last). Prizes and Contests for the best dressed! Family entertainment will happen after the best dressed contest.

Coming Up: Valentine's Day -- and the Polar Bear Plunge

This post-holiday time is tough...all of the excitement has died down, and we're left with...winter. For most of us (skiers aside), it is a long wait until spring. Fortunately, we do have a couple of interesting things coming up this month.

First of all, Valentine's day (Feb. 14th) falls on a Sunday this year, so there's lots of opportunity to do something fun with your special person. Note that if you're going to need a florist, jeweler, or a good restaurant for the occasion, Toms River Online has business directories for each. You can start on our main Business page.

Once the glow of Valentine's Day fades, we have the Polar Bear Plunge happening on February 20st in Seaside Heights. This wild and crazy event benefits the Special Olympics. More than 5,000 typically attend, and the crowd seems to get bigger every year.

In case you are ready to jump in the water...here are some important dates for you to know: February 16th- All teams must be registered by midnight. February 16th- Online Registration Closes. All team members must be registered with their team by midnight. Team members will not be able to register with their team the day of the event. February 20th- On-Site Registration will be $125 the day of the Plunge. Registration begins at 9am with the Plunge scheduled for 1pm.

Have a great rest-of-February...spring is right around the corner (sort of)...

Christmas in Downtown Toms River

There are some fun events coming up for the Holiday Season in Downtown Toms River.

First of all, be sure to go the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, next to Town Hall, on Friday, December 4th. The event runs from 6pm to 8:30, with music, story-telling, characters, lighting the tree, and an appearance by Santa Claus!

Also of interest is the new Downtown Shops @53 Main Street. These boutique shops offer a "mini-mall" shopping experience in the heart of Downtown Toms River. Why not buy some unique, hand-crafted gifts this Holiday Season? Find out more information about the Shops. Some Special Events will happen at the Shops during the Holiday Season, including an Arts and Music Day, from 11am to 5pm on Saturday, December 19th.

On Saturday, December 12th, the Toms River Artist Community will have an Art Opening and Holiday Celebration at the beautiful new Event Venue, "One Flight Up" -- which is located at 73 Main St., Toms River, above the MeanBean restaurant (corner of Main & Washington Sts). Stop in between noon and 4pm to see a display of local art and jewelry for sale.

We wish you a fun and happy Holiday Season!

Farmers Market - You Can't Beat Jersey Fresh

It seems like everyone is on a health kick these days, but many people complain that most diets don't seem to work, or that it really tough to get hold of the really good stuff you should eat.

Well, it turns out that we have a place in Toms River where we can stock-up on foods that are good for you -- the weekly FARMERS MARKET in Downtown Toms River. It takes place every Wednesday, (until November 18th) 11am to 5pm, in the lot on the corner of West Water Street and Irons.

Everything is JERSEY FRESH from local vendors. Select from fresh produce, fruits and vegetables, organic, gluten-free, herbs, fresh baked goods, honey, chowders, raviolis, crab cakes, cheeses, pickles, Polish food delights, nuts and candy...and more! The FIRST Wednesday of the month brings has an event that makes the Market even more fun.... enter the free raffle to win a basket of Jersey Fresh produce featuring the fruit and vegetable of the month.

For more information on the Farmers Market, call Downtown Toms River at the following phone number: 732-341-8738.