10 low-cost or FREE things to do this weekend at The Jersey Shore (January 9th – 11th)

When the tourists go away, the Jersey Shore and its communities continue to provide its residents with fun, affordable and new things to do. In the coming months, we will be highlighting these happenings for our fans and shedding some light on what is going on in our own backyards. Please let us know about any future events or fun & educational things to do in the area and we will include them when we can. Send us a message @ Jersey Shore InMotion

#1: WinterFest by The Monmouth County Park System

Location: Thompson Park – 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft 07738
Date: Saturday, January 10th
Time: 1:30pm – 5:30pm 
Cost:  Free to attend

Description: WinterFest has a boatload of activities planned for you and your kids, including “make and take” winter crafts (inside the Creative Arts Center); a FROZEN-themed scavenger hunt; animal tracks with a Park System naturalist; ice fishing simulation; broom ball; snowball fight; winter character parade (dress up as your favorite character and join the fun); ice skating – bring your own skates (weather permitting), cross-country ski & snowshoe equipment; horse drawn wagon rides; grab ‘n go winter ceramics (inside the Creative Arts Center); and a snowman building contest. Make sure you stop by the igloo and warm up next to the fire pit. Bring your camera. Food vendors include Delicious Orchards & The Surf and Turf Truck.

#2: Creative Painting Workshop

Location: Back on The Racks –  659 Broadway, Long Branch 07740
Date: Saturday, January 10th
Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm
Cost: $48 (all supplies included)

Description: Paint a unique finish on a piece of furniture using “Milk Paint.” Just bring in a small piece of furniture to paint. You will be happy, impressed and have your eye on other pieces of furniture at your home and others to paint. Please follow this link for additional workshop dates – Back on The Racks.

#3: Multiple events at the Robert J. Novins Planetarium

Location: 1 College Drive, Toms River 08754
Date: Friday, January 9th and Saturday, January 10th
Time: Various
Cost: $10 adults – $8 seniors – $7 children – Family Pack is $35 (two adults and 3 children)

Description: Friday – Free Telescope Workshop Hosted by A.S.T.R.A – 7:00pm. Saturday – One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure – 11:30am. Saturday – The Stars From My Backyard – 1:00pm. Saturday – The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket – 2:30pm. Saturday – Legends of the Sky: Orion Laser with Sky Talk – 5:30pm Saturday. Dawn of the Space Age – 7:00pm Saturday. Laser Beatles – 8:30pm. Show descriptions can be found here – descriptions

On your way there, or on your way home, make sure to stop by The Tuscan Bistro Bar for some of the best food and drinks around. The pizza they cook in the old world brick oven tastes so good that you will question if it’s the best you ever had. It’s tough to find better pizza elsewhere! Please follow this link for information on specials and events – Tuscan Bistro Bar

#4: Cape May Traditional Jazz Society Presents Traditional Jazz with the Midiri Brothers Jazz Band

Location: VFW Post 386 – 419 Congress Street, Cape May 08204
Date: Sunday, January 11th
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Cost: $20

Description: The Midiri Bros Jazz band is one of the top traditional jazz bands in America. Featuring Joe Midiri on clarinet, Paul Midiri on vibes & trombone, Jim Lawlor, Ed Wise, and Pat Mercuri, the tunes will make you sizzle and the vibe will make you wiggle. This is not something you want to miss. Proceeds will be donated to the Food Bank of Southern Jersey to help support local needs. Come and enjoy some great Dixieland music!

#5: NFL Playoffs

Location: Many, including your own couch
Date: Saturday, January 10th and Sunday, January 11th
Time: 12:00pm
Cost: Varies

Description: The action is always exciting during playoff season. Whether or not your team is still in the Superbowl hunt, it’s always fun watching some games! Check out the following promotions:

EvenTide Bar & Grill offers a complementary buffet on Sunday at 1:00pm. Check it out here – EvenTide Bar & Grill
iPlay America has weekly football specials. Check them out here – iPlay Football Specials
Staying home to watch the games? Look at this special from Dominick’s Pizza in Wall – Dominick’s Football Specials
Want some seafood with that pigskin? Try Bum Rogers Crab House for the most delicious seafood around.
There is always something going on over at The Tuscan Bistro Bar in Toms River. Check them out here – Tuscan Bistro Bar
Enjoy Danny’s Steakhouse in Red Bank. The games are sure to be on, and the aroma of delicious food is sure to fill the air. Check them out here – Danny’s Steakhouse
Head on out with your own at these BYOB Places – Local BYOB establishments

#6: Jenkinson’s Aquarium – Feeding Schedule

Location: 300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach 08742
Date: Daily
Time: Jenkinson’s Feeding Schedule
Cost: $8

Description: Bring the kids and watch as the team of trained experts at Jenkinson’s Aquarium feed their seals, penguins and Atlantic sharks. Bring your camera in hopes of catching that perfect shot. Lots of fun and memories! For more information, please visit – Jenkinson’s Aquarium.

#7 Event: Jenkinson’s Aquarium – Pole to Pole

Location: 300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach 08742
Date: Saturday, January 10th
Time: 9:00am
Cost: $10 per child per session

Description: This series of programs is designed for those budding animal lovers. These programs take place on scheduled Saturdays and may feature crafts, games, stories, and live animal visits. Follow this link for additional information as pre-registration & sneakers are required – Jenkinson’s Aquarium

Also on Saturday from 12:00pm – 4:00pm, Save Barnegat Bay will be joining other environmental groups at Jenkinson’s Aquarium for their Celebrate Barnegat Bay Day! Come see the sights, sounds, and animals that inhabit the Jersey Shore and learn more about how to you can make a difference in their future

#8 Event: Third Annual Big Man’s Birthday Bash

Location: Bar Anticipation – 703 16th Avenue, Lake Como 07719
Date: Saturday, January 10th
Time: 1:30pm on
Cost: $25 for General Admission and $50 for VIP/ Dinner/Meet and Greet

Description: The Jersey Shore will celebrate the birthday of the late and legendary Clarence Clemons on Jan. 10th with the third annual Big Man’s Birthday Bash at Bar Anticipation in Lake Como. The E Street Band saxophonist died in 2011 at 69, and his birthday, January 11th, is now officially Clarence Clemons Day in the state of New Jersey. His son, singer-songwriter-guitarist Nick Clemons, is one of the performers; proceeds will go to the Hometown Heroes organization, which helps people deal with homelessness, domestic violence, drug abuse and other problems. “My father always taught me to – give back – and remember the less fortunate,” said Nick Clemons in a press release. “I try to do that and Hometown Heroes does great work for those in need.”

The bash will be hosted by actor Vincent Pastore of “The Sopranos.” Featured acts will include the Sensational Soul Cruisers, JoBonanno and the Godsons of Soul, Killer Joe and Lido Soul, the Eddie Testa Band, the Nick Clemons Band and many others.

An all-star lineup of special-guest artists who will join the performing bands includes Gene Cornish, Bobby Bandiera, J.T. Bowen, Vini “Mad Dog” Lopez and Lance Larson. Also appearing will be Bruce Springsteen fan favorite “The Philly Elvis,” Nick Ferraro and actor Artie Pasquale of “The Sopranos.” Nick Clemons, also known as Clarence Clemons III, is the oldest son of Clemons and a co-producer of the event.

For more information click here – Bar Anticipation

#9 : Kids Night Out

Location: Small Factory – 560 River Road Suite C Fair Haven 07704
Date: Friday, January 9th & Saturday January 10th
Time: Friday is 6:30pm – 8:30pm & Saturday is 6:30pm – 10:00pm
Cost: Friday is $20 per child, $15 sibling & Saturday is $30 per child, $25 sibling

Description: Small Factory opens its Fair Haven studio for children, ages 5 to 12, to watch movies, play on the computers, and sing and play instruments in the sound booth. These nights are also great opportunities for parents to enjoy a few hours of conversation and enjoy some great food locally . Check out some local places to shop and eat here – Jersey Shore InMotion/RedBank

Pre-registration is required. Call 732.212.1088

#10: History of Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Bloodhound Unit

Location: Ocean County Historical Society 26 Hadley Avenue Toms River 08753 
Date: Sunday, January 11th
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Cost: Free

Description: Hear former Special Deputy Tim Cagney share amazing adventures of training and service of our canine friends, finding missing persons and aiding in the capture of suspected criminals!