All The August Events In Monmouth County Parks

MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ — Delve into local history, catch your first fish and enjoy a concert in the park this August! These are just some of the family-friendly activities the Monmouth County Park System has planned for the month. Here's everything you can look forward to this August:

Historic Portland Place Tours

Wednesdays-Sundays, July 31-August 4; 7-11; 14-18; 21-25 and 28-September 1 at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.

Historic Portland Place, Hartshorne Woods Park, Locust

Tour this beautifully restored 18th century house with exhibits that help tell the story of the region's history and the Hartshorne family legacy in Monmouth County. Through September 22, Julia’s Wardrobe, an exhibit featuring five custom-made 19th century gowns, is on display. Tours are limited to 10 persons and may be suspended during severe weather conditions. Register on site at the Portland Place Visitor Center day of tour. FREE!

Fishing 101 – A Beginner’s Guide to Fishing

Thursdays, August 1, 8, 15 & 22 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Manasquan Reservoir, Howell

Learn how to rig, bait, cast, and, hopefully, catch your first fish during this program. Come and go at any time. Bait and tackle provided. Open to all ages; under 14 with adult. Fishing license required for ages 16-69. Stop by the bait shop for day of registration. No groups, please. FREE!

Life in a Freshwater Pond

Thursdays, August 1, 8, 15 & 22 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen - Meet outside the Visitor Center.

Join Park System Naturalists to explore a freshwater pond. We’ll look for basking turtles, hopping frogs, hunting herons, splashing fish and anything else that catches our eye. We will also discover the unique life that lies underneath the water in a freshwater pond. Wear closed-toe shoes. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. Weather permitting. FREE!

Enviro-Quest

Thursday, August 1 at 11 a.m.

Holmdel Park, Holmdel - Meet by the Shelter Building.

Thursday, August 8 at 11 a.m.

Big Brook Park, Marlboro - Meet at the dock.

Thursday, August 15 at 11 a.m.

Thompson Park, Lincroft - Meet in the Old Orchard parking lot.

Thursday, August 22 at 11 a.m.

Tatum Park, Middletown - Meet at the Red Hill Activity Center.

Thursday, August 29 at 11 a.m.

Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen - Meet at the Visitor Center.

Follow the Enviro-Quest signs to where a Park System Naturalist is waiting. Once you are there you can join a mini nature lesson, activity, or walk for 30–60 minutes of nature-based fun. Activities may include meeting a live animal, finding hidden treasures, or discovering animal knickknacks. FREE!

Seining Along Sandy Hook Bay

Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, August 2-23 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth - Meet on the beach near the parking lot.

Discover a variety of fish, crabs, and other sea creatures as we pull a long seine net along the edge of Sandy Hook Bay. Closed-toe shoes are required. Parents or guardians are required to stay with and supervise their children. No swimming during the event. This program is designed for individuals and families. Weather permitting. FREE!

Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir

Friday, August 2 at 6 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Saturdays & Sundays, August 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 24 & 25, and 31 & September 1 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5 p.m.

Wednesdays, August 7, 14, 21 & 28 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. & 4 p.m.

Manasquan Reservoir, Howell

These 45-minute tours are narrated by Park System Naturalists and include opportunities to view local wildlife. The cost is $6 per adult and $4 per child, age 12 and under. Please call to confirm schedule as tours are both weather and water level dependent. All tours leave from the Visitor Center. Life-jackets required. Tickets can be purchased on day of tour only.

Penny Rug Demonstration

Saturday, August 3 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See how scraps of wool or felted wool from old clothing were used to create mats and rugs during this demonstration. FREE!

Historic Battery Lewis Tours

Saturdays & Sundays, August 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 24 & 25, and 31 & September 1 at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.

Hartshorne Woods Park, Highlands – Use Rocky Point parking lot.

Tour the restored Historic Battery Lewis and learn about the history of this important former coastal defense site. FREE!

Thompson Park Canoe Rentals

Saturdays & Sundays, August 3 & 4, 17 & 18, and 31 & September 1 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Thompson Park, Lincroft

Canoes will be available for rent on Marlu Lake. All equipment provided; limited number of canoes available. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. All rentals must be returned by 3 p.m. The cost is $15 per boat for 1-3 people for two hours; cash or check only.

Cookstove Demonstrations

Saturdays, August 3 & 31 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See what's cooking on the woodstove and discover how recipes, cooking techniques, and kitchens have changed since the 1890s. FREE!

Milling Demonstrations

Saturdays & Sundays, August 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 24 & 25, and 31 & September 1 at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

See the 19th century gristmill grind corn into meal. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. FREE!

Seabrook-Wilson House Open

Mondays, August 5, 12, 19 & 26; Thursdays, August 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29; and Sundays, August 4, 11, 18 & 25 from 1-4 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

Visit this house which dates back to the early 1700s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and see displays on the ecology of the bay and local history. FREE!

Tidal Tuesdays - Seine the Cove

Tuesdays, August 6, 13, 20 & 27 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area, Manasquan

Discover a variety of fish, crabs and other sea creatures that may be found along the cove during this Park System Naturalist-led seining program. Closed-toe shoes are required. Parents or guardians are required to stay with and supervise their children. No swimming during the event. Weather permitting. FREE!

Open Shoot Archery

Saturday, August 10 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft

All equipment is provided for this open shoot. No outside equipment permitted. This is not an instructional clinic and NOT designed for beginners. If you are new to archery, register for one of our instructional classes prior to attending. Open to ages 10 and up; under 18 with adult. The cost is $10 per person; cash or check only.

Under the Summer Stars

Tuesday, August 13 from 10-11 p.m.

Dorbrook Recreation Area, Colts Neck - Use the soccer field parking lot.

Join our guide and look for key objects and constellations in the night sky. Bring a camp chair to rest on as we star search and a flashlight to light your way in the dark. Program may be cancelled due to overcast skies or inclement weather. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. FREE!

Accordion Melodies of the 1890s

Saturday, August 17 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Hear melodies of the 1890s played on the accordion during your visit. FREE!

Bluegrass and Old-Time Music

Sunday, August 18 from 12-5 p.m.

Thompson Park, Lincroft – Outside the Theater Barn

The Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association will meet for a jam session under the trees. Bring your own bass, banjo, fiddle, mandolin or guitar to join in, or just stop by and enjoy an afternoon of music. FREE!

Victorian Laundry Demonstration

Sunday, August 18 from 12-2:30 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

From lighting the wood stove to ironing the aprons, experience a late-Victorian laundry day during this demonstration. FREE!

Felting Demonstration

Sunday, August 18 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See the process of felting wool during this demonstration. FREE!

Climb Time

Thursday, August 22 from 12-3 p.m.

Shark River Park, Wall

Try the Park System's 25’ portable climbing wall. You must be 42” or taller to climb. Open to ages 8 and up; under 18 with adult. FREE!

Concert in the Park: Mission Dance

Friday, August 23 from 7-8:30 p.m.

Thompson Park, Lincroft

Enjoy the vocals, horns and rhythm section of this 10-piece Jersey Shore party band during this outdoor concert. Bring chairs or blankets, food and soft drinks. Will move inside the Theater Barn if the weather is inclement. FREE!

Dancing Thru the Ages - Roaring 20s to Fabulous 50s & Beyond

Saturday, August 24 from 7-8:30 p.m.

Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft

See performances of iconic dance styles from the 1920s to the 1950s and beyond. FREE!

Machinery Expo

Sunday, August 25 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

The farm's machinery will be out of storage and in full view for one day only! Staff will be on-hand to discuss the mechanics of the farm’s horse-drawn implements and household/kitchen equipment. FREE!

Story Time in the Park

Sunday, August 25 from 11-11:45 a.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Join us as we read a story in front of the picturesque Crosswicks Creek. Bring a snack and a blanket or towel. Open to ages 2-7, with adult. Will move inside the Cow Barn if the weather is inclement. FREE!

Casual Birder

Tuesday, August 27 at 9 a.m.

Fisherman's Cove Conservation Area, Manasquan

Meander through the park with a Park System Naturalist for about an hour and a half and see what birds we can find. No need to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow if needed. FREE!

Nature Lecture Series - Dolphins: Facts and Tales

Wednesday, August 28 from 7-8 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth

Learn about the local dolphin population that calls the Jersey Shore home during this talk by a Park System Naturalist. FREE!

Basket Weaving Demonstration

Friday, August 30 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Visit the Penn/Jersey Basket Weaving Guild as they weave baskets. FREE!

To learn more about these Park System activities, please visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call the Park System at 732-842-4000. For persons with hearing impairment, the Park System TTY/TDD number is 711. The Monmouth County Park System, created in 1960 by the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, is Monmouth County’s Open Space, Parks and Recreation agency.