• The Allentown Business Community Association will host a Faerie Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 4 (rain date, Aug. 5) in Allentown. 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.
• The Jackson Library will host a blood drive by the American Red Cross from 2-7 p.m. July 31. Donors will receive a voucher for five free items from the Jackson Friends of the Library
book sale. Teens 16 years and older may donate with permission from a parent or guardian. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred. To make an appointment, call the library at 732-928-4400 or the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.
• 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
• 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
• Discover a variety of fish, crabs and other sea creatures when the Monmouth County Park System hosts Seining Along Sandy Hook Bay at Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth, Middletown, from 11 a.m. to noon, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, June 25 through Aug. 24. This program invites area residents to join park system naturalists as they seine the water and identify the aquatic creatures caught. This free program is open to all ages, under 18 with adult. Participants should meet on the beach. Closed-toe shoes are required. Details: 732-842-4000.
• 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 Heart of New Jersey Chorus is seeking new members who love to sing and perform. Interested individuals are invited to attend a rehearsal. The chorus rehearses at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Details: 732-446-9782.
• The Jackson Library’s knitting group, Knit-Chat-Chain, is seeking donations of yarn and wool. The members of the group create sweaters, hats, scarves and blankets to donate to charity. Yarn donations may be brought to the Circulation Desk during library hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details: 732-928-4400.
• 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.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to news@thetritownnews.com. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
