Down the Shore

Our first weekend in June was pretty much a quintessential Down the Shore weekend.

Friday we enjoyed BBQ from Local Smoke before gearing up to watch the Knicks game. Then Saturday we headed to the beach in Spring Lake, armed with our favorite iced beverage of late from Driftwood Coffee: an iced coconut shaken espresso. It’s like an almond joy in a cup so it’s pretty much the perfect pre-beach pick-me-up. 

While at the beach, the sun was hot but the waves were still a brisk 62 degrees, so only the surfers were braving it. That being said, it was lovely and uncrowded before noon, and we also strolled the boardwalk. For lunch, we took home some monster-sized turkey subs from Lenny’s Market, plus littleneck clams for dinner that evening. Feel free to copy our Saturday itinerary :) 

In today’s edition, with the 250th anniversary of American independence less than a month away, we’re diving into a bit of local history and exploring the very important role Monmouth County played in the Revolutionary War. Check it out below.

Local History Lesson: Monmouth 250 Hot Spots

Did you know that more battles took place in New Jersey during the American Revolution than in any other colony?

A quick history refresher: New Jersey occupied an interesting geographic position during the war, sandwiched between Loyalist stronghold New York City and Philadelphia, home of the Continental Congress and where the Declaration of Independence was drafted.

Unsurprisingly, nearly 300 significant military engagements took place here during the Revolution (296 to be exact). Because of this, it was also the colony where George Washington spent the most time during the war.

In recognition of New Jersey’s important role during this 250th anniversary year, we’re rounding up some of our favorite recommendations to brush up on local history:

Monmouth Battlefield State Park (Manalapan and Freehold) is the site of the Battle of Monmouth, one of the most important battles in the Revolution. While not a conclusive American victory (most historians consider it a draw), it proved that the Americans could match the British. On June 20-21, you can see history come alive during the annual reenactment (details here). And if you can’t make it, there are guided tours on the first Sunday of every month, with the next on July 5th.

Sandy Hook Bay will host historic tall ships that will be anchored and on display in honor of the 250th anniversary of the Revolution. The best views of these ships will be courtesy of the Seastreak ferry departing from Atlantic Highlands and Belford on July 3rd. Tickets can be purchased here.

If you aren’t able to make the cruise, you can check out Sandy Hook Lighthouse, which was in operation during the American Revolution and remained under British control for the majority of the war. 

The Allen House (Shrewsbury) was built in the early 1700s and served as a tavern and lodging house during the Revolution. In 1779, it was the site of the “Allen House Massacre," when a British Loyalist party raided the tavern, leaving three dead and nine American troops captured.

The Molly Pitcher Inn (Red Bank) is named for the legendary Molly Pitcher, whose story originated at the Battle of Monmouth when Mary Ludwig Hays took her husband’s place operating a cannon. FYI, “Pitcher” refers to her originally being tasked with bringing water to the troops given the hot June weather. After independence, Mary Ludwig Hays received a military pension in recognition for her service. Today, you can pour one out in Molly’s honor at the MPI, and enjoy piano music several nights a week plus half-price burgers on Mondays.

Laird & Company (Scobeyville) was founded in 1780 and is the oldest licensed distillery in America. As mentioned in a previous edition of DTS, General Washington apparently enjoyed their “cyder” (which we now know as Apple Brandy) during all the time he spent in NJ throughout the Revolution.

According to the company website, two members of the Laird family served in the Revolution and supplied American troops with brandy at the Battle of Monmouth “to boost morale.” Even if accidentally, it worked.

Weekly Forecast

It’s official, the summer weather we’ve pined for is finally here:

Monday 6/8 - 69°/54° Sunny

Tuesday 6/9- 73°/58° Sunny

Wednesday 6/10 - 78°/68° Light Rain

Thursday 6/11 - 89°/71° Light Rain

Friday 6/12 - 89°/73° Partly Sunny

Saturday 6/13 - 85°/71° Sunny

Sunday 6/14 - 79°/70° Mostly Cloudy

And for the surfers out there, here are the weekly surf conditions in Belmar courtesy of Surf Captain:

Farmers Market Roundup

• Holmdel, 6/10 and 6/13: Bell Works FRESH Farmers & Makers Market

• Wall, 6/11: Wall Twp. Farmers Market

• Allenhurst, 6/12: Allenhurst Farmers Market

• Fair Haven, 6/13: Fair Haven Farmers Market

• Brick, 6/13: Brick Farmers Market

• Howell, 6/14: Howell NJ Farmers Market

• Red Bank, 6/14: The Galleria Red Bank Farmers Market

• Asbury Park, 6/14: Asbury FRESH Farmers & Makers Market

And if there are any markets we should definitely feature this season, let us know!

Happenings Down the Shore

Be still our nostalgic hearts — there’s a Yellowcard Concert at Stony Pony Summer Stage. Monmouth Beach is celebrating Independence Day all weekend long. And Spring Lake’s reminding us why it’s referred to as the Irish Riviera. How are we going to ever choose what to do this weekend?

As always, if there’s an upcoming event you’d like us to cover, feel free to pass it along!

Monday 6/8

Asbury Park - Stringbean & the Boardwalk Social Club at Low Dive (7 pm - live music)

Holmdel - Complimentary Intro to Pickleball Clinic with Jersey Pickleball Club at Bell Works (9:30 am)

Loch Arbor - Trivia Night at Deal Lake Bar + Co (7:30 pm)

Oceanport - Weekly Trivia at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6:30 pm)

Red Bank - Children’s Story Time on BroadWalk (10:30 am)

Red Bank - Jazz Arts Jam Sessions at Triumph Brewing (6 pm - live music)

Tuesday 6/9

Highlands - Vlasic Classic Open Mic Night at The Chubby Pickle (8:30 pm)

Red Bank - Trivia with Jenn at Jamians (7:30 pm)

Wednesday 6/10

Asbury Park - Joe P at Low Dive (8 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Kids Karate on BroadWalk (11 am)

Red Bank - Karaoke at Jamians (8 pm)

Tinton Falls - Bingo & Brews at Twin Lights Brewing (6 pm)

Thursday 6/11

Asbury Park - Captain Cream & The Forest Fires at Low Dive (8 pm - live music)

Holmdel - Yappy Hour + Sundown Sessions at Bar Bella: feat. DJ Ian Gray at Bar Bella in Bell Works (5 pm - live music)

Monmouth Beach - 250th Independence Day Celebration (6 pm)

Red Bank - Kids Takeover at BroadWalk (4 pm)

Red Bank - Conor Quigley at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm - live music)

Tinton Falls - Trivia on Tap at Twin Lights Brewing (7 pm)

Friday 6/12

Asbury Park - AsburyFest (5 pm - $5 admission)

Asbury Park - Yellowcard, New Found Glory, and Plain White T’s at Stone Pony Summer Stage (5:30 pm - get tickets)

Asbury Park - Lou Panico Band, The Brothers Union at Low Dive (9:30 pm - live music)

Holmdel - Anotherside at Fox Hollow Vineyard (6 pm - live music)

Loch Arbor - Carl Gentry at Deal Lake Bar + Co (5 pm - live music)

Manasquan - Rhyme & Reason at Harpoon Willy’s (8:30 pm - live music)

Monmouth Beach - 250th Independence Day Celebration (6 pm)

Red Bank - Financial Literacy Workshop at The Residency, Anderson Market (12 pm - get tickets)

Red Bank - Jeff Levine at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm - live music)

Tinton Falls - Comedy Night at Twin Lights Brewing (7 pm - get tickets)

Saturday 6/13

Asbury Park - AsburyFest (11 am - $5 admission)

Fair Haven - Fair Haven Day w/ live music by The Cliffs (5 pm)

Holmdel - Sundown Sessions at Bar Bella: feat. DJ Robbie Woodside at Bar Bella in Bell Works (5 pm - live music)

Holmdel - Tanglewood at Fox Hollow Vineyard (2 pm - live music)

Loch Arbor - Dakota Diehl Trio at Deal Lake Bar + Co (8 pm - live music)

Manasquan - The Vinyl Trio at Harpoon Willy’s (8:30 pm - live music)

Monmouth Beach - 250th Independence Day Celebration (9 am)

Oceanport - Aiden Villa at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Donna & Nicky at Coffee Corral (10 am - live music)

Red Bank - Frank Rainey at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm - live music)

Sandy Hook - Free Yoga on the Beach (8 am)

Spring Lake - Irish Festival (12 pm)

Tinton Falls - Juneteenth at The Crawford House celebrating Hannah Till (2 pm)

Sunday 6/14

Asbury Park - AsburyFest (11 am - $5 admission)

Holmdel - Stars & Strides Flag Day 5k and Family Walk at Bell Works (7 am)

Holmdel - Yvonne & Friends at Fox Hollow Vineyard (2 pm - Live Music)

Monmouth Beach - 250th Independence Day Celebration (5 pm)

Long Branch - Bands by the Beach (7 pm - live music )

Red Bank - Andrew Lobby at Coffee Corral (10 am - live music)

On Deck

June 18: Red Bank - Anderson Bar Happy Hour (4 pm)

June 19: Bradley Beach - Soaking Salt Workshop at The James Bradley (6 pm - get tickets)

June 27th: Red Bank -  Red Bank Arts Festival (12 pm)

July 4th: Spring Lake - Spring Lake Art Walk (10 am)

Did we miss an event? Let us know.

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