Spring Events at the Shore

The first signs of Spring are appearing in southern Ocean County as an amazing array of arts and cultural events awaken excitement, amusement and fascination for the region's residents and visitors.

"Come See, Come Sea," the Artfest at Tuckerton Seaport, 120 West Main Street, Tuckerton, begins the last weekend of March and continues through April 26, presenting a celebration of expression including art, theatre, music and photography along with classes and demonstrations of southern New Jersey folk art. The artwork of more than 120 artists from throughout the tri-state area will be on display. All artwork will be on sale throughout the show, with a portion benefiting the Seaport's educational programs. Public admission is $3; Seaport members are free. Contact the Seaport at (609) 296-8868 for information.

Lakewood BlueClaws baseball begins Thursday, April 3, at FirstEnergy Park, 2 Stadium Way, Lakewood, when the team plays the Lake County Captains. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the game begins at 6:35 p.m. For information contact the team at (732) 901-7000.

On Friday, April 4, Artfest at Tuckerton Seaport, 120 West Main Street, Tuckerton, will be highlighted by an open mike "Poetry Slam," from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., hosted by Robyn Fisher, a theater teacher from Valmonte Center for Performing Arts. Admission to the Seaport is free that evening. For information, contact the Seaport at (609) 296-8868.

On Saturday, April 5, the Long Beach Island Foundation for Arts and Sciences, 120 Long Beach Boulevard, Loveladies, will present "Science Meets Advocacy," one of its weekly Science Saturdays lecture series, beginning at 1:30 p.m. Admission is free of charge for the series, which covers a broad range of topics exploring science, technology, art and society. The topic on Saturday, April 12, will be "The Save Our Bay Program." For more information contact the foundation at (609) 494-1241.

At the Cloverdale Farm County Park, 34 Cloverdale Road, off of Rt. 554 one mile west of the Garden State Parkway, Barnegat, there will be a Tour of the Bog Perimeter presented by a park naturalist, Saturday, April 5, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The program is free. Contact the Ocean County Department of Parks & Recreation at (609) 971-3085 for information.

Also on Saturday, April 5, Tuckerton Seaport, 120 West Main Street, Tuckerton, will present Fish and Shorebird Decoy Carving demonstrations, by carvers from the Jersey Shore Folklife Center, and Sunday, April 6, features two events: "Pickin' on the Porch," a bluegrass and traditional country music concert by Home Cookin', and a Watercolor Techniques demonstration by Burlington Art Guild artist, Sandy Sandy. Contact the Seaport at (609) 296-8868 for information.

"Swing," an exhilarating song and dance revue that celebrates the Swing music of the `40's made famous by the likes of Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman will be presented at the Surflight Theatre, Engleside and Beach avenues, Beach Haven, beginning Friday, April 11. The show takes the stage through April, with both evening and matinees scheduled. For information contact the theatre at (609) 492-9477.

The Long Beach Island Health Department joins with the national Partners For Health Initiative in presenting the Long Beach Island Family Walk, Saturday, April 12, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Parents and children are encouraged to walk one mile, with each child receiving a free pedometer along with guidance on how to keep a "family fitness log." Families who return their logs after a few weeks will be awarded a "goody bag" and a chance to win bicycles. Preregistration is requested by April 4. Call (609) 492-1212 for information and to register.

Tuckerton Seaport, 120 West Main Street, Tuckerton, presents a present Fish and Shorebird Decoy Carving demonstrations, by carvers from the Jersey Shore Folklife Center, Saturday, April 12, and there are classes available on basket making and digital photography. On Sunday, April 13, there is a nature and bird photography workshop by award-winning photographer, Susan Puder, and a watercolor demonstration by artist, Mikkey Tarantino. For information contact the Seaport at (609) 296-8868.

"Western Music - Yesterday & Today" will take the stage at the Albert Music Hall, 131 Wells Mills Road, Rt. 532, Waretown, Sunday, April 13, beginning at 1:00 p.m. The show features radio personality Al Krtil and historian O.J. Sikes, who will present the evolution of western music in America, followed by bands Texas Rose and Jerry & Debbie Hatton. Admission is free. For information contact the theater at (609) 971-1593.

Holiday Inn Manahawkin/Long Beach Island, on Rt. 72 East, in Manahawkin, will present its inaugural Bridal Extravaganza, Thursday, April 17, gathering wedding professionals from throughout the southern New Jersey region to share their expertise with future brides and grooms. More than 30 exhibitors have been hand picked to showcase their top-of-the-line goods and services at the show, which begins at 6:00 p.m. and offers free admission with advance reservations. For advance reservations and information, contact Rebeca Mattiello, Holiday Inn banquet manager, at (609) 481-6115.

On Friday, April 18, artist Jose Feyho, of the Art Students League of New York, will present a Plein Air (French for Open Air) Painting Workshop at Tuckerton Seaport, 120 West Main Street, Tuckerton. On Saturday, April 19, a Plein Air "Paint Out" contest will be held, with artists vying for prizes as they produce paintings on site between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., and there also will be Fish and Shorebird Decoy Carving demonstrations by carvers from the Jersey Shore Folklife Center throughout the day. Contact the Seaport at (609) 296-8868 for information.

The Southern Ocean County Resource Center and Little Egg Harbor Township will present Emergency Safety Preparedness Day, Saturday, April 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Little Egg Harbor Community Center, located at 319 W. Calabreeze Way. The event is free and perfect for families as it teaches people of all ages how to prepare for emergencies. Contact (609) 296-7241 for information.

At the Cloverdale Farm County Park, 34 Cloverdale Road, off of Rt. 554 one mile west of the Garden State Parkway, Barnegat, "Cranberries in Springtime," will be presented by a park naturalist, Saturday, April 5, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The program is free. Contact the Ocean County Department of Parks & Recreation at (609) 971-3085 for information.

Those attending community events and programs are bound to work up a hearty appetite, and the Kynett United Methodist Church, 127 Centre Street, in Beach Haven, may have the answer with its Fried Oyster and Chicken Salad Dinner, Saturday, April 19. Takeout is from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m, and sit-down dinner from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $7.00 for children under 12. Contact the church at (609) 492-0421 for information and takeouts.

Unshredded Nostalgia, a unique gallery at 323 South Main Street, Barnegat, which features 17th through 20th century posters and memorabilia from Hollywood, sports and the world of politics, will hold a reception unveiling a new exhibit titled "Memories of Ocean County," Saturday, April 19, beginning at 5:00 p.m. The exhibit will be on display through September 15 portraying the unique and diverse history of the region through maps, deeds, photographs, posters, stock certificates and much more. "Gems of the Silent Screen," an exhibit of nearly 40 rare and one-of-a-kind silent movie posters from 1915-1930, continues at Unshredded Nostalgia through Sept. 15 and is highlighted by posters of Charlie Chaplin in Fireman, Lillian Gash in Birth of a Nation and William S. Hart in Truthful Tulliver, among others. For information on both exhibits, contact the gallery at (609) 660-2626.

Sunday, April 20, brings the inaugural "Handmade Faire" to the National Resource Education Foundation Lighthouse Center, 7th Street and Navajo Drive, Waretown, which will feature nearly 50 artisans presenting an assortment of handmade items such as basketry, jewelry, paintings, dolls, pottery, clothing and accessories, home décor, and others. Admission is free. Contact (609) 698-8003 for information.

Tuesday, April 22, brings a quilting demonstration by Mary Bean at Tuckerton Seaport, 120 West Main Street, Tuckerton, and a seashell painting workshop with artist Cathleen Engelsen for 1st through 3rd grade students. Additional kids art classes will be offered on April 23, 24 & 25. Contact the Seaport at (609) 296-8868 for information.

Barnegat's 7th Annual Town-Wide Yard Sale will be held Saturday, April 26, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Rain date is Sunday, April 27. For shopping convenience, maps listing the many yard sale participants throughout the community can be picked up after 7:00 a.m. on the day of the sale at Bay Avenue Antiques, 349 Route 9; The Van Dyk Group, 500 Barnegat Boulevard; Tobacco Road, 690 East Bay Avenue; and Unshredded Nostalgia, 323 S. Main Street. For information, contact Kathy Orsini at (609) 698-6900.

April's many events and programs are a sure sign that Spring has arrived in southern Ocean County, bringing lots of fun for everyone!

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Author: Press Release