A Touch Of Night Music Coming To Freehold Veterans Park In May

FREEHOLD, NJ — The inaugural Harmony in the Park program should bring some sweet sounds to Veterans Park in two lawn concerts in May.

The Spring Sounds Lawn Concert Series, presented by the Freehold Community Events Committee, was explained to the Borough Council at Monday night's meeting and the reception was positive.

Councilman Jeffrey Friedman, liaison to the committee, introduced Daniel Xavier, a member of the events committee, who explained the plans for a small-scale, "softer, quieter concert" series. The concept is inspired by the annual New York Philharmonic free performances in New York City's Central Park, he said.

"Veterans Park is a gem of a park. It will be a beautiful setting," Xavier said - and obviously on a smaller scale than Central Park.

It's an intimate area for a program specifically geared to residents, he added.

"Bring a blanket, a picnic, and sprawl out under the evening sky with some friends in the borough's beautifully restored Veterans Park," he said.

The free lawn concert series will take place Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on two dates in May:

• The Jay Sweet Academy on May 15.
• The Freehold High School Music Department on May 29.

This is only the beginning, but Xavier said he knows there is interest in the music community to perform at the lawn concerts.

He said organizations expressing interest in performing in 2025 include the Rutgers University Symphony Orchestra, Monmouth University, Georgian Court University, and the “Big Band” from Brookdale Community College.

“The genesis of the Harmony in the Park idea was to create an unforgettable cultural experience for borough residents in a quiet, intimate setting. The downtown rock concerts draw huge, high-energy crowds from our neighboring communities – but this is different,” said Xavier.

Friedman said he and others on the events committee will visit the neighborhood near the entrance to the park at 41 Schanck St. to acquaint residents with the idea, but he said it should be a welcome addition - not a disruptive one.

Teamwork is key as the borough launches the pilot program, the council agreed.

In a presentation to the council, Xavier explained there would be no smoking or alcohol permitted. There are many amenities already at the park, such as the Lewis Brothers Pavilion; power is accessible and portable restrooms are available.

Residents who bring chairs would sit in the outer circle, those sitting on blankets would be in front to allow everyone a good seat, Xavier said in response to some council questions.

Any groups - such as a jazz ensemble - that might need amplification would have access to power, but the volume would be kept at a low level, the council agreed.

"We're not talking Woodstock here," said one of the council members, who agreed it's a nice idea to try - and hopefully continue.