Jersey Shore Local Weekend Calendar March 27th – 29th

Do you like eggs? Well, we sure hope that you do, even if they are little plastic ones. This weekend at the Jersey Shore we’re not fooling you. We have more Easter Egg Hunts than we know what to do with, but one thing we have learned – we’re pretty sure that our dear friend the Easter Bunny is a huge spaz!

After you’ve picked up after the Easter Bunny (don’t worry, he’s handing out tons of prizes for being such a clutz), there’s a number of other activities that will keep you occupied this weekend.

Gaze at the spring sky as you learn all the stars or gaze at some artwork while you rub elbows with the artists.

If you’re looking to get your hands dirty, check out the Environmental Day where you can learn about compost or help plant dune grass at one of our favorite Jersey Shore towns.

You can even set yourself (well at least your tongue) on fire with a taste testing of the Jersey Shore’s best hot sauces. (We’re bringing some chips in our pocket just in case.)

Whatever you do this weekend, be nice to the Easter Bunny, even when he’s digging up your garden a few months from now.

Monmouth County Events

Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt— POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER
Location: Croydon Hall Football Field, Middletown and Middletown Arts Center
Date: Friday, March 27th 7:30pm
Cost: Free, Pre-registration Required, Middletown residents only

Description:
Ok. We get that we may be a little too old for Easter egg hunts, but we want in on this one! Middletown has put a spin on the traditional Easter egg hunt, making it even harder and way more fun by having the hunt at night with flashlights! It may be chilly outside, so grab some sweatshirts, a flashlight and maybe some chocolate from Suzi’s Sweet Shop (yes fudge keeps you warm!) and you’re good to go! Easter egg hunts of the 21st century. We’re into it.

Middletown Eggstavaganza
Location: Middletown Arts Center
Date: Saturday, March 28th 10am – 1pm
Cost: Free, for Middletown residents only

But if you’re not into looking for eggs, on Saturday, March 28th, the Middletown Arts Center will host their own “Eggstravaganza” from 10:00am – 1:00pm. Receive goodie bags, hang out with the Doodle Dude, participate in some fun arts and crafts. Also, think your family can beat the clock? Families can try their hand at our Easter-themed Minute to Win It game show!

Artist Meet and Greet at Gotham
Location: Gotham, 19 Broad St., Red Bank
Date: Friday, March 27th – Saturday, March 28th
Cost: RSVP’s requested

Description:
Not only is Gotham the latest restaurant and bar to join Red Bank, bringing not only delicious food, but a long list of whiskey, bourbon, and gin, but now they’re also bringing art to downtown with the Gotham Fine Art Gallery. This Friday and Saturday, grab your friends, “The Decent Man,” with “The Coble Pot” and meet two world-renowned artists for this one in a lifetime opportunity (well two once in a lifetime opportunities if you go Friday and Saturday). Relief sculptor and collector Bill Mack and painter Gary Welton will be on hand to discuss their work, which will be available to purchase. For the love of art (and gin) go check it out!

Little Silver Environmental Day 
Location: Little Silver Woman’s Club, Church St. at Rumson Rd.
Date: Saturday, March 28th 9:00am – 1:00pm
Cost: Free

Description:
Since the grass is getting greener, why don’t you get a little greener too? On Saturday, the Little Silver Woman’s Club will be hosting an Environmental Day providing an opportunity for Monmouth County residents to recycle clothing and electronics, shred documents and books, hike with local environmentalist, and learn more about local environmental topics form the Environmental Commission of Little Silver, Little Silver Garden Club, and Parker Homestead-1665. There’s even a free compost workshop at 10am. With the weather warming up, it could an opportunity to grab a 6 pack of your favorite beer from the Little Silver Bottle Shop, and sit out in your backyard seeing if you can identify any of those hawks they were talking about!

Dune Planting in Bradley Beach
Location: Boardwalk at Brinley Avenue, Bradley Beach
Date: Saturday, March 28th 10am – 12pm

Description:
If it’s one thing that Bradley Beach is known for during Superstorm Sandy, it’s that their strong dunes stayed strong, protecting the beachfront during the storm. Now that the storm has passed, Christmas trees have been set in place, and Mother Nature has been doing her thing, it’s our turn to do our part to help rebuild the dunes. On Saturday, volunteer with Bradley Beach and Surfrider Foundation in their goal to plant over 15,000 plants across a mile of beach and the lake bank at the Maritime Forest. Get a taste of summer and bring warm clothes, broom handles and work gloves, rain or shine. Once the last plant has been planted, celebrate the beginning of spring (one step closer to summer), at Beach Haus Brewery in Belmar or Pagano’s UVA Restaurant in Bradley Beach. A day at the beach calls for lunch and a drink at the bar!

iPlay America’s 2nd Annual Easter Adventure
Location: iPlay America, 110 Schank Road, Freehold
Date: Saturday, March 28th 10:00am

Description:
For the second year in a row, Sonny the Bunny has lost his carrots and it’s up to you to find them. Join iPlay America and New Jersey 101.5 for Sonny the Bunny’s Colossal Carrot Adventure where you can use your skills to find those carrots. Be the grand prize winner and get your own “carat” diamond earrings and an iParty Plus Birthday Party Package from iPlay America. But don’t worry if you didn’t win the grand prize, there’s prizes with unlimited ride bands, an ultimate Easter basket, $25 game cards and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: Circus XTREME tickets! Maybe those pesky rabbits aren’t that pesky at all!

Made in Jersey Hot Sauces
Location: Chilangos, 272 Bay Ave, Highlands
Date: March 28th 2pm
Cost: Free

Description:
Take the heat up a notch by attending the Jersey Shore Vacations #HotNJ event at Chilangos in Highlands. New Jersey’s best hot sauces including Heartbreaking Dawns, Born to Hula, Hot Sauce 4 Good, Krazy Flav, Hank Sauce, and Blair’s will duke it out to see who’s sauce wows the judges. Taking home the title of the Best Hot Sauce, Best Medium/Mild Sauce, and Best Flavor, the competition is sure to get firey! You can even get in on the action, taking the heat up a notch with some samples of the hottest Jersey sauces. And remember, the only way to cool down that fire in your mouth is with a cold drink and some tasty food at one of our favorite local hangout, Off the Hook.

Brides Against Breast Cancer
Location: The Berkeley Ocean Front Hotel 1401 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park
Date: Saturday, March 28th, 5pm – 9pm and Sunday, March 29th 11:00am – 3:00pm

Description:
As a soon to be bride, getting a dress is one of the most important parts of planning a wedding. It may also be the most stressful, on the psyche and the wallet. This Saturday, Brides Against Breast Cancer is coming to your rescue. You’ll find hundreds of new and lovingly worn designer and couture gowns at the Berkeley Ocean Front Hotel in Asbury Park. Not only will you save, but you can also attend a VIP reception, enjoying entertainment and giveaways. Toast to your success with a glass of bubbly at Brando’s Citi Cucina. You’ll need it after convincing the bride next to you that she would look so much better in that other dress, even though you know you just want the dress she has in her hands! Don’t worry, we won’t tell.

Keansburg’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Location: Keansburg Amusements, 275 Beachway, Keansburg
Date: Sunday, March 29th 1:00 PM
Cost: $5 for students & kids, $30 for seniors

Description:
Yes, another Easter egg hunt. Don’t roll your eyes at us; remember how much fun they were as little kids! You’re just jealous because you can’t participate anymore! But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the rides with your kids while cheering them on as they try to pack their bags full of Easter eggs during Keansburg Amusements Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Once the festivities are over and you just can’t take another ride on the carousel, bring the family out for a dinner to celebrate the day at Schooner’s Fishery in Belford. Your kids may think you’re the best parent ever, so be prepared for the extra hugs.

Ocean County Events

Harken: A Game of Phones
Location: Strand Theater, 400 Clifton Ave. Lakewood Township
Date: Saturday, March 28th, Starts at 10:00 AM
Cost: $22

Description:
Do you hate when someone tells you to put your phone away during a movie? Would you rather be home playing video games? This event might be for you. At Harken: A Game of Phones, you control the show at The Strand Theater. Immerse yourself in a fantastic universe that will let you interact with live entertainment right through your smartphone. Pick your favorite avatar and then battle your way through obstacles that will fulfill your quest. This is way better than sitting on your couch playing with someone from China!

Wonders of the Springtime Sky
Location: Robert J. Novins Planetarium @ Ocean County College
College Dr. Toms River
Date: March 28th 7:30 – 10:30pm
Cost: $10 adults, $8 seniors (60+), and OCC Rewards Members with card, $7 children (12 and under), Family Pack $35

Description:
As we make our way into spring, new stars are showing up, giving us a glimpse at the Wonders of the Springtime Sky. Join a Robert J. Novins Planetarium presenter at Ocean County College as they give you an in depth tour of the current sky over New Jersey. You’ll be a star gazing pro for all those future BBQs and campouts this spring!

Jenkinson’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Location: Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, Ocean Ave. Point Pleasant Beach
Date: Sunday, March 29th 1:00pm
Cost: Free

Description:
We know, we know, but seriously, how can we not list all of these Easter egg hunts! Join in the fun at the Jenkinson’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt, the unofficial 2015 Season kickoff event. As your kids are running through the sand trying to find the eggs, you’ll daydream about the day when you’ll be laying in the sand, drink in hand, sun on your face. It’s coming. Don’t worry.

Seaside Heights Easter Egg Hunt 
Location: Franklin Avenue, Seaside Heights
Date: 3/29/2015 – 1pm
Cost: Free

Description:
Last one, we promise! Bring the kids to help out this very clumsy Easter Bunny as he just continues to leave his eggs everywhere! With up to 15,000 eggs on left on the beach, your kids will enjoy every moment of Seaside Heights Easter Egg Hunt, where they’ll win free ride tickets, skeeball games, and food at one of your favorite Jersey Shore boardwalks, Seaside Heights’s Casino Pier and Breakwater Beach.

Little Mermaid Ballet Event for Young Ones
Location: Grunin Center for the Arts at Ocean County College, Toms River Twp.
Date: Sunday, March 29th 1pm
Cost: $12

Description:
Bring your favorite little prince and princess to Little Mermaid performed by Grun Family Series. The young and old alike will enjoy this ballet performed just for younger audiences. Relive your childhood memories as you follow Ariel through her time in the ocean to land. One of our favorite stories performed for our favorite people. It’s sure to be a crowd pleaser! And if you’re really wanting to get that “Parent of the Year Award” bring your kids out for a early dinner to Rivoli’s Italian Bistro Restaurant where you can give them a taste of what adults like to call, dinner and a show.

Atlantic County Events

Steel Pier Easter Egg Hunt
Location: Steel Pier, 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City
Date: Sunday, March 29th, Starts at 1:30pm
Cost: Free
Description: The Steel Pier and Atlantic County Toys for Kids will host an Easter Egg Hunt at 1:30 PM.  This is always a great day for kids; please bring a basket or bag to collect eggs! Egg hunts will be for kids ages: 1-4, 5-7, 8-10.