Good morning, Monmouth County. After what felt like a decade of “Are we there yet?” and detours that had your GPS begging for mercy, the Sea Bright bridge is finally open. Now you can cross without worrying your car’s about to take a swim. So buckle up, Sea Bright, traffic jams just got way shorter (and a lot more scenic). Time to hit the road and show that bridge some love and maybe even grab some ice cream while you’re at it. Cheers to smoother rides and fewer “wrong way” signs!

On the docket:

• Oceanport’s Newest Pour: Skinny Flowers Brewing

• 49th Annual Township of Ocean Italian Festival

• Atlantic Highlands Music & Food Truck Festival Hits the Marina Lawn

• Rev Your Engines: Marlboro's 4th Annual Car Show & Concert

• Live Music Lowdown

Oceanport’s Newest Pour: Skinny Flowers Brewing

Raise a glass, Oceanport. There’s a new brewery in town. Skinny Flowers Brewing has officially opened at the RiverWalk Center, pouring everything from crushable classics to wildly creative small‑batch experiments.

Sip your way through the Main Taproom, then wander over to the Moxee Room — a sunny, garage‑door‑flanked hangout with picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, and kid‑friendly corners. Dogs are welcome too, so your four‑legged friend can finally judge your beer choices in person.

Open noon to 8 PM Sunday–Thursday and until 10 PM on weekends, it’s the perfect place to post up, people‑watch, and accidentally become a regular. Cheers to Oceanport’s newest watering hole.

Check out their website for more information!

49th Annual Township of Ocean Italian Festival

Oakhurst is about to be bursting with the smell of fresh‑fried zeppole and sizzling sausage. The 49th Annual Township of Ocean Italian Festival rolls into Joe Palaia Park August 6–10th with five nights of delicious eats, live music, carnival rides, and a beer and wine garden for the grown‑ups.

Friday night lights up with fireworks (Aug 8, rain date Aug 9), but the real show is the endless parade of food, games, and raffles every evening. Admission and parking are free — so grab the famiglia, loosen the belt a notch, and dig in for a week of fun.

Click here for more details!

Atlantic Highlands Music & Food Truck Festival Hits the Marina Lawn

Clear your schedule for Sunday, August 10th. Atlantic Highlands Music and Food Truck Festival is here! Marina Lawn is turning into the ultimate outdoor feast spot—with live tunes to keep the good vibes rolling. With 19 gourmet food trucks serving everything from vegan delights to meat lover’s dreams, your taste buds won’t know what hit them.

The soundtrack? Live music from local bands right by the bay.

Thirsty? The beer garden’s got local brews from Carton and Lone Eagle, plus cocktails like strawberry vodka lemonade, margaritas, daiquiris, and sangria. It’s basically a summer playlist for your stomach.

There’s face painting for the kids, vendors, and plenty of room to spread out. So bring your chairs, blankets, and your appetite. Best part? It’s free, running noon to 8:30 PM. See you there, food truck fans!

Rev Your Engines: Marlboro's 4th Annual Car Show & Concert

Got a thing for shiny rides and foot-stomping jams? Marlboro’s parking lot is the place to be on Sunday, August 10th. Starting at 5 PM, the Marlboro Recreation Center turns into a rolling showroom of classic cars, cool customs, and maybe a few surprises under the hood.

Once you’ve drooled enough over the wheels, stick around at 6:30 PM for Big Hix to fire up the stage with some country hits that’ll have you two-stepping like you’re on a Texas dance floor (or at least in your backyard).

Date: Sunday, August 10, 2025
Car Show: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Concert: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Marlboro Recreation Center, 1996 Recreation Way, Marlboro, NJ
Admission: Free

Don't miss out on this exciting evening of cars, music, and community fun. See you there!

Live Music Lowdown

Wednesday, August 6
The Proving Ground, Highlands | Big Hix | 5:30–9 PM

Thursday, August 7
The Proving Ground, Highlands | Big Hix | 5:30–9 PM
Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park | Cody Jinks | 5–10 PM
Pier Village, Long Branch | Thursdays by the Sea – Pat Roddy Band | 7 PM
Riverside Gardens Park, Red Bank | Sounds of Summer | 7 PM
Red Rock Tap + Grill, Red Bank | The Cliffs | 7 PM
Jenks Club, Point Pleasant Beach | Brian Kirk & the Jirks | 10 PM

Friday, August 8
The Proving Ground, Highlands | High Note Band | 6–10 PM
The Proving Ground, Highlands | DJ Deen Anthony | 10 PM–late
Pyanoe Plaza, Belmar | Just Cuz Band | 6–9 PM
The Sandbox, Bradley Beach | Nine Deez Nite | 7 PM
The Seafarer, Highlands | Quincy Mumford | 6 PM
Bradley Beach | DJ Jay | 6 PM
Donovan’s Reef, Sea Bright | Rockit Fish | 6 PM
Whitechapel Projects, Long Branch | Surfside Sundeaz | 4 PM

Saturday, August 9
The Proving Ground, Highlands | Ty Mares | 1–4 PM
The Proving Ground, Highlands | High Strung | 6–10 PM
McLoone’s Pier House, Long Branch | Quincy Mumford | 8 PM

Sunday, August 10
The Proving Ground, Highlands | Steve Johnson | 1–4 PM
The Proving Ground, Highlands | The Sundries | 5–9 PM
AP Rooftop, Asbury Park | Quincy Mumford | 4 PM