Happy Tuesday, Monmouth County! Spent a little too much time outside this weekend and now I’m rocking an unexpected sunburn. The sun is clearly stronger than my decision-making skills.

On the docket:

• Red, White, and Run.

• Brewed in Monmouth Tees Up Beer, Golf, and a Pig Roast

• Food, Music, Shopping and Sunshine at the Collingswood May Fair

• OPA! The Jersey Shore Greek Festival Returns This May

• Live Music Lowdown

Red, White, and Run.

Monmouth County’s Stars & Strides Flag Day 5K & 1-Mile Freedom Walk is happening Sunday, June 14, 2026, and this is not your average neighborhood jog. This patriotic celebration marks America’s 250th birthday with a morning full of community spirit, high-energy fun, and enough red, white, and blue to make Uncle Sam proud.

Whether you’re aiming for a personal record or just showing up for the vibes and the Freedom Walk, the event welcomes runners, walkers, families, and anyone looking for a fun way to celebrate Flag Day. Expect music, cheering crowds, festive outfits, and a course packed with patriotic energy from start to finish.

Participants are encouraged to dress in their best stars-and-stripes gear, so yes, this is absolutely the time to break out the flag tank top hiding in your closet.

Brewed in Monmouth Tees Up Beer, Golf, and a Pig Roast

There are normal golf outings… and then there’s one where the post-round meal is a Hawaiian-style pig roast and craft beer tasting. That’s exactly what’s happening at Brewed in Monmouth: Taste of the Tee at Hominy Hill Golf Course in Colts Neck.

From 4 to 8 PM, golfers can hit the course for nine holes with a power cart included, then wrap up the evening with tastings from Carton Brewing and a dinner that is significantly more exciting than a granola bar from your golf bag.

Tee times will be assigned between 4 and 6 PM, and whether you’re signing up solo or bringing your usual foursome, pairings are available if needed. Not into golf but still interested in the beer and pig roast situation? There’s a dinner-and-tasting-only option too.

Honestly, even people who “don’t really golf” suddenly become very interested when craft beer and roasted pig are involved.

Food, Music, Shopping and Sunshine at the Collingswood May Fair

If your ideal spring Saturday involves snacking your way down a closed-off main street while carrying at least one thing you definitely did not plan on buying, the Collingswood May Fair has your name written all over it.

On Saturday, May 23 from 10 AM to 5 PM, Haddon Avenue in downtown Collingswood turns into an all-day celebration packed with local makers, food vendors, live music, shopping, and nonstop people-watching opportunities. It is one of South Jersey’s most loved spring traditions for a reason.

Expect handmade goods, vintage finds, art, snacks that somehow smell impossible to resist, and live music floating through the streets all day long. Whether you go for the shopping, the food, or just an excuse to spend the day outside, this is the kind of event where you accidentally stay for five hours.

Save this one for your spring weekend plans and show up hungry.

OPA! The Jersey Shore Greek Festival Returns This May

The Jersey Shore Greek Festival is back May 29 through May 31 at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Ocean, and it is bringing three days of nonstop food, music, dancing, and family fun.

Expect all the Greek classics. Gyros, souvlaki, pastries, and enough baklava to make you forget every “summer body” promise you made yourself in April. There will also be live Greek music, traditional dancing, games, raffles, shopping vendors, and plenty of reasons to stay way longer than you planned.

The festival runs on the grounds of St. George Greek Orthodox Church , and whether you come for the food, the music, or just to yell “OPA!” at least once, it is one of those Jersey Shore weekends that never disappoints.

Live Music Lowdown

Friday, May 22
The Proving Ground, Highlands | Skinny Amigo | 8:30 PM
The Wonder Bar, Asbury Park | The E Street Shuffle  | 7 PM
The Sandbox, Highlands | Dan Hasse | 4 PM
The Sandbox, Highlands | Guns 4 Hire | 7 PM
The Stone Pony, Asbury Park | Joe Russo’s Almost Dead | 5:30 PM
Red Rock Tap + Grill, Red Bank | New Power Soul | 7 PM
Reef & Barrel, Manasquan | Kids at Play Duo | 5:30 PM

Saturday, May 23
The Proving Ground, Highlands | Big Hix Band | 7 PM
The Proving Ground, Highlands | DJ Priscilla | 10 PM
The Wonder Bar, Asbury Park | Eddie Testa Band | 8 PM
The Sandbox, Highlands | Bay Shore Sandpipers | 4 PM
The Sandbox, Highlands | Serious FM | 7 PM
Red Rock Tap + Grill, Red Bank | Remember Jones | 7 PM
The Stone Pony, Asbury Park | SHADOW OF THE CITY | 3 PM

Sunday, May 24
Red Rock Tap + Grill, Red Bank | Brian Kirk and the Jirks | 6 PM
The Sandbox, Highlands | Des & The Swagmatics | 5 PM