All The July Events In Monmouth County Parks

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — From story time in the gardens to the Monmouth County Fair, the Monmouth County Park System fills July with family-friendly activities for county residents to enjoy. Here’s what is planned:

Drop-In Surprise Story Time Saturday, July 1 from 11-11:45 a.m. Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown

Join us for story time! A clue at the entrance will lead you to the secret spot in the gardens. If the weather is rainy, we’ll be inside the Horticultural Center. Recommended for ages 4-7. FREE!

Roving Naturalist Saturday, July 1 at 9 a.m. Crosswicks Creek Greenway, Upper Freehold - Meet in the Province Line Road parking lot.

Sunday, July 16 at 9 a.m. Holmdel Park, Holmdel - Meet in the Ramanessin Trail parking area.

Saturday, July 29 at 9 a.m. Perrineville Lake Park, Millstone - Meet in the Agress Road parking area.

Join our Roving Naturalist for a walk and discuss seasonal points of interest, search for signs of wildlife, and identify a bird or two. This is a 1.5-2 hour program, but feel free to join in or drop out at any point. Dress for the weather as light rain is not a deterrent. FREE!

You Can Sail Saturday, July 1; Sunday, July 16; Friday, July 21; & Saturday, July 22 at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. Manasquan Reservoir, Howell

See if sailing is for you during this on-the-water class where we provide the captain, you provide the crew. Limited number of boats available; maximum three people per boat. Sailors age 8 and up welcome with an adult. The cost is $40 per boat; cash or check only.

Mill Demonstration at Historic Walnford Saturdays & Sundays, July 1 & 2, 8 & 9, 15 & 16, 22 & 23 and 29 & 30 from 1-4 p.m. Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

See the 19th century gristmill in action. FREE!

Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir Saturdays & Sundays, July 1 & 2, 8 & 9, 15 & 16, 22 & 23 and 29 & 30 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5 p.m.

Wednesdays, July 5, 12, 19 & 26 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. & 4 p.m.

Friday, July 7 at 6:30 p.m. & 7:30 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.

Seabrook-Wilson House Tours Sundays, July 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 from 1-4 p.m. Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

Visit this house, which dates back to the early 1700s, and see displays on the ecology of the bay and local history. FREE!

Seining Along Sandy Hook Bay Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, July 3-31 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

Join us for this hands-on nature program. Discover a variety of fish, crabs and other sea creatures as we pull a seine net through the calm waters of Sandy Hook Bay. Closed-toe shoes are required. Meet on the beach near the park entrance. Parents or guardians are required to stay with and supervise their children. No swimming during the event. Weather permitting. FREE!

Independence Day Celebration Tuesday, July 4 from 12-3 p.m. Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Join the farm staff as they celebrate the holiday with games and contests. FREE!

The Casual Birder Thursday, July 6 at 9 a.m. Manasquan Reservoir, Howell - Meet by the Visitor Center Bait Shop.

Thursday, July 20 at 9 a.m. Clayton Park, Upper Freehold - Meet in the parking lot.

Join a Park System Naturalist for this laid-back morning bird walk. We’ll meander for about an hour and see what birds we can find. No need to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy this walk. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow if needed. Open to ages 8 and up. FREE!

Enviro-Quest Thursday, July 6 at 11 a.m. Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell - Start in the Environmental Center parking lot.

Thursday, July 13 at 11 a.m. Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown - Start in the parking lot.

Thursday, July 20 at 11 a.m. Thompson Park, Lincroft - Start in the Old Orchard parking lot.

Thursday, July 27 at 11 a.m. Shark River Park, Neptune - Start in the main parking lot.

Follow the Enviro-Quest signs to where a Park System Naturalist is waiting. Once there, join in nature-related activities, crafts or games for 30–60 minutes of nature fun. FREE!

Thompson Park Canoe Rentals Saturdays & Sundays, July 8 & 9 and 22 & 23 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 ages 3 and up, under 18 with adult. Fee is $15 per boat for 1-3 people for two hours. Cash or check only.

Threshing Demonstration Saturday & Sunday, July 8 & 9 from 12-2 p.m. Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Take a step back in time and watch an antique threshing machine in action. FREE!

Butterfly Walk Friday, July 14 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sunnyside Equestrian Center, Lincroft - Meet in the Sunnyside Road parking lot.

Friday, July 28 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Big Brook Park, Marlboro - Meet in the first parking lot.

Join a Park System Naturalist to identify butterflies found in the fields. Walk may be a mile or more. Open to ages 7 and up, under 18 with adult. FREE!

Climb Time Saturday, July 15 from 12-4 p.m. Dorbrook Recreation Area, Colts Neck

Try the sport of rock climbing close to home on the Park System’s 25’ climbing wall. Climbers must be 42” or taller and age 8 or older (under 18 with adult). FREE!

Accordion Melodies of the 1890s Saturday, July 15 from 1-3 p.m. Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Hear music from yesteryear played on an accordion. FREE!

Open Shoot Archery Sunday, July 16 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft

Join us for this open shoot designed for experienced archers. All equipment is provided. No outside equipment permitted. Open to ages 10 and up (under 18 with adult). Cost is $10 per person; cash or check only.

Monmouth County Fair Wednesday-Friday, July 26-28, 5-11 p.m. Saturday, July 29, 3-11 p.m.

Sunday, July 30, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. East Freehold Showgrounds, Freehold

This annual tradition includes 4-H exhibits, amusement rides, entertainment, home and garden competitions, opening night fireworks, and more. Admission is $8 per person; age 12 & under enter free.

Nature Lecture Series: Sea Stars and Sea Urchins of the Jersey Shore Thursday, July 27 from 7-8 p.m. Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth

Learn about the everyday life of these sea critters, threats to their survival, and what we can do to make sure these remarkable creatures carry on during this talk by a Park System Naturalist. FREE!

Naturalist Guided Drop-in Kayak Tour Friday, July 28 from 1-2:30 p.m. Monday, July 31 from 3-4:30 p.m. Swimming River Park, Red Bank

Explore the river with a Park System Naturalist. All equipment provided; first come, first served. Cost is $20 per person; cash or check only. Open to ages 12 & up, under 18 with paying adult.

PICTURED – Experience the excitement of the Monmouth County Fair, held Wednesday-Sunday, July 26-30 at East Freehold Showgrounds, Freehold.