Happy Tuesday, Monmouth County! Apparently August 24th is the most popular day of the year to call out sick according to basically every news source yesterday. I didn’t know I was following a trend, but I guess I contributed to the statistic this year…

On the docket:

• The Tastiest Way to Spend a Sunday

• Sea Bright Day is Back

• Hazlet is Celebrating 250 Years in Style

• One Big Block Party to Celebrate 250 Years

• Live Music Lowdown

The Tastiest Way to Spend a Sunday

Consider this your permission to eat your way through Atlantic Highlands. The Taste of Atlantic Highlands is happening Sunday, September 13 from 12 to 4 PM, bringing together more than 25 local businesses for an afternoon of food, drinks, shopping and plenty of strolling around town.

Your ticket gets you samples from participating restaurants and businesses, plus access to classic trolley transportation so you can make your way around without turning the afternoon into a four-mile walking tour. There will also be giveaways and prize drawings, because apparently eating your way through town wasn't enough of a reward already.

Bring your friends, come hungry and plan to discover a few new local favorites along the way. With the harbor views and small-town atmosphere thrown in, it's a pretty great way to spend a September Sunday.

Sea Bright Day is Back

Sea Bright is giving us one more reason to keep the summer fun going into September. The 2nd Annual Sea Bright Day is happening Saturday, September 19 from 1 to 6 PM, bringing an afternoon of family activities, food, music and plenty of hometown spirit to the community.

The lineup has something for pretty much everyone, including a new bubble show, inflatables, face painting, kids' activities, a touch-a-truck experience, a dunk tank, live music, craft vendors and food trucks. Mrs. Rooney's hot dog cart will also be there, because no community celebration is complete without a legendary hot dog.

The fun wraps up with a sunset beach bonfire at 6 PM, giving everyone a pretty perfect way to end the day.

Hazlet is Celebrating 250 Years in Style

Hazlet is going all out for America’s 250th anniversary with HazletAmerica250 on Saturday, September 12. The day starts with a community parade at 9 AM, featuring local groups, organizations and plenty of red, white and blue spirit. The parade begins at Airport Plaza and winds through town before finishing at the Hazlet Swim & Tennis Club.

After the parade, head to Veterans Park from 11 AM to 4 PM for Hazlet Day, where there will be food trucks, a pig roast, bouncy rides, a petting zoo, crafters, local businesses and first responders. The Patriotic House and Patriotic Bike contest winners will also be announced.

The celebration continues with live music before wrapping up with fireworks at dusk. Basically, it's a full Saturday of food, fun, hometown pride and enough red, white and blue to make your camera roll look like a Fourth of July album.

One Big Block Party to Celebrate 250 Years

Ocean Grove is keeping the America 250 celebrations going with a good old-fashioned community block party on Sunday, August 30 from 4 to 8 PM. The free event will take place on the rear lawn of Seaton Ocean Grove and is shaping up to be an easy, breezy way to spend a summer evening.

There will be food trucks, kids’ activities, games and live music throughout the afternoon. The lineup includes James Maddock, Kate & The Melonheads and Off The Page, so there will be plenty of music to keep everyone entertained while the kids burn off whatever they found at the food trucks.

Bring the family, grab something to eat and settle in for an evening celebrating 250 years of America and the Ocean Grove community. It’s free, it’s casual and there is no need to overthink the plans. Just show up and enjoy.

Live Music Lowdown

Friday, August 28
The Proving Ground, Highlands | Enjoy | 6 PM
The Wonder Bar, Asbury Park | The Band Memo | 7 PM
The Sandbox, Highlands | Dan Hasse | 4 PM
The Sandbox, Highlands | 80’s Revolution | 7 PM
The Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park | Shadow of the City | 3 PM
Reef & Barrel, Manasquan | Anthony Squared | 6 PM
Red Rock Tap + Grill, Red Bank | Kristen and the Noise | 7 PM
Donovan’s Reef, Sea Bright | The Get Down Committee | 6 PM

Saturday, August 29
The Proving Ground, Highlands | So Watt | 6-10 PM
The Wonder Bar, Asbury Park | Billy Hector’s Birthday Bash | 7:30 PM
The Sandbox, Highlands | Carnival Dogs | 4 PM
The Sandbox, Highlands | Supernova - A tribute to Oasis | 7 PM
Red Rock Tap + Grill, Red Bank | Pat Roddy Band | 7 PM
The Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park | Fetty Wap | 3 PM
Reef & Barrel, Manasquan | Sir Rod | 6 PM
Donovan’s Reef, Sea Bright | So Shot | 6 PM

Sunday, August 30
The Proving Ground, Highlands | Liam Davis Duo | 1-4 PM
The Proving Ground, Highlands | Liam Davis Band | 6-9 PM
The Wonder Bar, Asbury Park | Invisible Touch | 7 PM
The Sandbox, Highlands | Moroccan Sheepherders | 5 PM
The Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park | Max Weinberg’s | 7 PM
Reef & Barrel, Manasquan | Blake Breaux | 4 PM
Donovan’s Reef, Sea Bright | The Jukebox Criminals | 4 PM