• The Allentown Business Community Association will host a Faerie Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 4 (rain date, Aug. 5). All are welcome, including faeries, gnomes, elves, pixies, and wizards. Fun for the whole family, including a storyteller at the Old Mill, tattoos at the One Eyed Turtle, fairy makeup before the contest for adults and children at the One Eyed Turtle, crafters selling goods for purchase, meet and greet with live faeries throughout town, a faerie garden treasure hunt throughout town, a Pixie Parade starting at the Old Mill at 11 a.m. with a costume contest to follow, unicorn rides behind Branching Out from 1-4 p.m. and a butterfly release at Pete Sensi Park at 3 p.m.
• “Bugs, Birds and Beyond,” a free festival for children of all ages, will be presented at the Monmouth County Agriculture Building, 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold Township, from noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 18 (rain or shine). “Penguins on Parade!” will be presented by Jenkinson’s Aquarium. There will be educational displays, activities, games and crafts. Live butterflies, snakes, turtles, rabbits, insects, bees and more. Details: 732-303-7614 or 732-431-7260, ext. 7264.
• Pitties and Pals Rescue Inc. will hold its first white party fundraising event at the Colts
Neck Golf Club, Colts Neck, from 7-10 p.m. Aug. 10. Proceeds will benefit Pitties and Pals’ rescue efforts. Tickets are $125 per person (food, drinks, music, raffles). Sponsorships are available. The group’s mission is to rescue dogs that are in danger of being euthanized from local animal shelters and to educate the public. Pitties and Pals is also seeking qualified fosters and adopters for dogs of all breeds. All costs associated with the care of the dog are paid for by Pitties and Pals during the fostering process. Details: Donna, 908-770-5263; or go to www.eventbrite.com/e/pitties-and-pals-white-party-tickets-46429829871-tickets; or www.pittiesandpals.com
• The Allentown Public Library Association’s popular Trivia Night is set for Sept. 29 at the Allentown First Aid Squad, Route 526. Games begin at 7 p.m. Teams playing in the Fall 2018 Trivia Night will be competing for cash prizes and recognition on a trophy. The winning team’s name will be inscribed on the Trivia Trophy that is on permanent display at the library. Registration and payment may be made at the library, 16 S. Main St., Allentown. Details: 609-259-7565.
• Center Players Dessert Theater will hold auditions for John Miranda’s “Italian Funerals and Other Festive Occasions” at Center Playhouse, 35 South St., Freehold, on July 29 at 7 p.m. and July 30 at 7 p.m. Possible callbacks on July 31 at 7 p.m. Performance dates: Oct. 19 through Nov. 11 (Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.). A complete character list is available at www.centerplayers.org. Sides from the play will be provided. Please bring resume and headshot if available. Non-union, no pay.
• An outdoor flea market, craft sale and yard sale will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary, 118 Route 526, Upper Freehold Township. New and used merchandise, crafts, food and fun. Free admission. Family friendly. Leashed dogs welcome. Details: Email info@martysplace.org
• Mill demonstrations at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township, will be offered on July 28-29 from 1-4 p.m. See the 19th century gristmill in action. The activity is free.
• The Monmouth County Fair will be held at the East Freehold Showgrounds, Kozloski Road, Freehold Township, from July 25-27, 5-11 p.m., July 28, 3-11 p.m., and July 29, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be 4-H exhibits, amusement rides, entertainment, home and garden competitions, opening night fireworks, and more. Admission is $8 per person; age 12 and under enter free.
• The Allentown Public Library has announced that the Allentown afghans, which were created and sold by the Women’s Association of Allentown, are now available for the first time since 2008. The afghans were designed by Joanne Tourine and show nine historic structures, including the Imlay Mansion, Gov. Newell’s home, the Presbyterian Church, Abel Cafferty’s Mill house and the iconic mill and the Allentown Baptist Church that is now home to the library. The afghans are available in hunter green, cranberry and colonial blue. They are available for purchase at the library, 16 S. Main Street. All proceeds benefit the Allentown Public Library Association in support of the library building.
• New Jersey Blood Services is in need of volunteers to work blood drives in Ocean and Monmouth counties. Tasks include assisting donors with registration, watching donors for post-donation reactions and responding to their needs. Details: Jan Zepka, 732-616-8741.
• Disabled American Veterans Chapter 74, Freehold, will meet at 7 p.m. July xx at the American Legion, 62 W. Main St. Freehold. Chapter members, DAV members-at-large who are seeking a chapter and veterans with disabilities who are seeking assistance and advice are welcome to attend the meeting. Dinner of pizza and subs is provided.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to news@njexaminer.com. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
