5 Things To Do In Ocean County This Weekend

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out this list of goings-on in Ocean County.

Run to help feed the hungry

Get out your running shoes and join the Battle River Brewing 1-2-3 Run on Sunday in downtown Toms River. Choose the 1-mile, 2-mile or 5K run, then enjoy the activities afterward, including a post-race buffet, raffles, face-painting and balloon animals, food trucks, a DJ and vendors. The 1-mile fun run is $15 and includes prizes. The 2-mile run is $25 and the 5K is $35, and those come with commemorative pint beer glasses. The 5K has prizes for the top three finishers in various categories. Register online or register in person Sunday, starting at 7 a.m. The races begin with the 1-mile fun run at 9 a.m. The proceeds benefit A Need We Feed, which provides meals to local veterans, seniors, and families.

Go nautical at the 30th Annual Sailfest NJ

Celebrate boating and sailing at the 30th annual Sailfest NJ on Saturday and Sunday in Island Heights. There is food and festivities all day with music, art, crafts, vendors, raffles, food, beer, wine, and kids' activities. Two regattas are part of the event, with winners' cups being presented at the Toms River Yacht Club. Sailfest begins with a Veterans and 9/11 Reflection Ceremony, honoring men and women who have served our country or who were lost during the tragic events of 9/11. Organizers say the ceremony is one of the largest in Ocean County. See more information here. It begins at 10 a.m., includes a short parade along River Avenue led by the Island Heights Fire Department to nearby Letter Park for a symbolic wreath-laying. Sailfest raises funds for the Rotary Club of Toms River, which distributes the money to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations.

Rock out and support Popcorn Park Zoo

The 10th annual Rock2Adopt is set for Saturday and Sunday at the Associated Humane Societies/Popcorn Park at 1 Humane Way, Forked River section of Lacey. More than 20 bands are scheduled to perform at the event, which raises money for the shelter's work. There will be food, vendors, activities, pet adoptions, and much more, from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Wristbands are $20 per adult, children 2-13 are $10, and under 2 years old are free. A family four-pack is $40 and includes admission to our Popcorn Park Animal Refuge. Wristbands can be purchased on the website.

Celebrate Irish heritage

The Ocean County Irish Festival is set for Saturday at Manahawkin Lake Park on Bay Avenue in Stafford Township. It is hosted by the Ocean County chapter of The Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh. The festival, from 11 a.m.-8 p.m., will have food and beer, kid-friendly activities and vendors selling their wares. The Devrin School of Irish Dance, the Ocean County Emerald Society Pipes and Drums, and the bands Captain and O’Neill, The Willie Lynch Band and Bloody Callan are scheduled to perform. The festival will include a 9/11 remembrance ceremony, set for 12:02 pm. More information is on the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh website.

Learn about beach plums at Island Beach State Park

Celebrate this coastal fruit on Sunday at Island Beach State Park's annual Beach Plum Festival. The event runs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and there will be more than 100 arts and crafts vendors, children's games, nonprofit organizations and beach plum jelly for sale. "Beach Plums taste like a mix of strawberry, plum, and apricot with a tart skin," according to the Friends of Island Beach State Park, whose volunteers make the jelly every year for the festival.

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