It’s the weekend. It’s almost spring. The temperatures are rising and oh, it’s Friday the 13th too! But don’t let a little superstition keep you from enjoying the rest of the weekend.

It’s the last weekend before St. Patrick’s Day so be sure to join in the festivities while they last. There’s plenty of corned beef, cabbage and green beer to go around. If you’re looking to celebrate the arrival of spring (and warmer weather) there’s a number of fairs that will have you playing ball and learning more about all those creatures that make spring so great! Let’s go spring! The Jersey Shore is ready for you!

Birds, Bees, and Butterflies
Location: Jenkinson’s Aquarium, 300 Ocean Avenue, Pt. Pleasant Beach
Date: Saturday, March 14th 9:00 am – 10:00am
Cost: $10 per child, Ages 5-10

Description: Dreading the “birds and the bees” talk with your kid? Unfortunately, that’s still a talk that you have to have, but at least they’ll get acquainted with the birds, bees, and butterflies of the world at Jenkinson’s Aquarium at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk this Saturday. Designed for budding animal lovers, these Animal Adventure programs engage your kids with crafts, games, stories, and even live animal visits. It’s just another step in successful parenting!

BlueClaws FanFest ‘15
Location: FirstEnergy Park, 2 Stadium Way, Lakewood Twp.
Date: Saturday, March 14th 10:00am – 3:00pm
Cost: Free

Description: The weather is getting warmer, which means it’s almost time to “play ball!” Hang out with BlueClaws mascot Buster and his cronies (Pork Roll, Egg, Cheese, and the InVision Eyeballs) during their BlueClaws FanFest ’15. Stock up on discounted tickets to the best games of the season, while enjoying free hot dogs, chips, and soda, and playing on inflatable rides. While you’re there, get your face painted or get your face painted on with caricature artists and face painters. The BlueClaws will also be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with live Irish-themed music, corned beef, cabbage, and of course, green beer. You’ll even get two tickets to an April home game just by bringing a non-perishable food item! They’re hitting it out of the ballpark with this event!

Seaside Heights Spring Festival
Location: Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach, 800 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights
Date: Saturday, March 14th Noon – 2:30pm
Cost: Free

Description: Celebrate the beginning of spring and Read Across America at Casino Pier’s Spring Festival. The Casino Pier Arcade will be the mecca of all things fun including a hula hoop contest, scavenger hunt and an opportunity to make your very own Cat in the Hat nose and hat to wear to the Cat in the Hat reading later on!

Yappy Hour Opening Day
Location: Wonder Bar, 1213 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park
Date: Saturday, March 14th 1:00 – 7:00pm
Cost: Suggested Donation $10

Description: Dogs and dog lovers rejoice as the Wonder Bar Yappy Hour celebrates opening day on Saturday with the Associated Humane Societies Popcorn Park. Bring the furballs along to celebrate a place where you’re served no matter how much hair you have. You’ll never feel bad about leaving your pooch to go out for a drink again. At Yappy Hour you can bring your best furry buddy along with your best human buddies for a “ruf-tastic” time! Make sure you stop by Confections of a Rock Star for some if their pup-cakes for your four legged friends. After you bring your dog home and take a nap (and maybe a bath), head back to Asbury Park for a limited time Irish menu at Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten where you’ll get your polka and beer fix! That sounds like an all around perfect day to us.

St. Patrick’s Day Benefit in Little Silver
Location: Little Silver Fire Company #1, 543 Prospect Ave., Little Silver
Date: Saturday, March 13th 03:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Cost: $45 advance/ $55 door/ $10 ages 13-20/ kids free

Description: This weekend is the last weekend before St. Patrick’s Day so what better way to celebrate than by attending the 7th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Party fundraiser at the Little Silver Fire Company #1. The young and old alike will have their toes tapping in no time with music from Paddy and the Pale Boys, Irish dancing, bagpipers, and of course you’ll be feasting on traditional Irish fare. (Don’t worry, the open bar with beer, wine, and soft drinks will probably help your dancing). And on your way home, make sure you stop by the Little Silver Bottle Shop a few doors down and grab a local beer or one of their many fine wines.

St. Patrick’s Day LepreCrawl
Location: Red Bank Bars and Restaurants
Date: Saturday, March 14th 01:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Cost: $25 ($20 without t-shirt)

Description: What better way to celebrate than with the Jersey Shore’s only St. Patrick’s Day themed bar crawl event – LepreCrawl! This Saturday, walk till you crawl as you visit some of Red Bank’s best bars and restaurants for great drink and food specials and giveaways in support of Hearts & Hands Disaster Recovery and HABcore, Inc. Get the day started off right at Gotham for specials on beers and cocktails. Then make your way around Red Bank as the deals continue. Unfortunately, your hangover breakfast isn’t included in the price, but we strongly suggest you take a trip to Hansel n’ Griddle where “The Breakfast Crisp” has proven to work before (yes, from personal experience).

Jay & The Americans at The Strand Theater
Location: Strand Theater, 400 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood
Date: Saturday, March 14th. 8:00 pm
Cost: $65 (VIP tickets), $55, $47 and $37

Description: Have your own “Magic Moment” with Jay & The Americans at The Strand Theater this Saturday. With 18 hits, a dozen Top 10 records, and three original members and the powerhouse lead, Jay & The Americans will make your Saturday night a musical one. Sing along to classic hits including “Come a Little Bit Closer,” “Cara Mia,” and “Only in America.” Before Jay takes the stage, enjoy the classic tunes from Dennis Tufano, original lead singer of The Buckinghams, and Bob Miranda and The Happenings. It’s a reunion of three of the greatest American hit-makers of the 60s, all under the Strand Theater’s roof, for one night only!

Ocean County College Viking Cheerleaders Vendor and Craft Fair
Location: Ocean County College, Gym/Bldg 19, One College Drive, Toms River
Date: Sunday, March 15th 10am – 3pm
Cost: Free Admission and Free Parking

Description: If you want to see the best that New Jersey has to offer, be sure to check out what is expected to be one of the Jersey Shore’s largest vendor and craft fairs this year! Over 150 crafters and vendors will pack into Ocean County College to show their support for the OCC Viking Cheerleaders. Get into the spirit with door prizes, face paintings, and delicious treats. They’ll even be a fortune teller there to help you decide whether you should buy that piece of art for your house!

Jersey Shore Comic Book show
Location: Toms River Elks Lodge, 600 Washington Street, Toms River
Date: Sunday, March 15th, 10am to 4pm
Cost: Free

Description: Ghostbusters, Superman, Batman, Star Wars… what do all of these have in common, besides being awesome? They’re loved by comic book fans. This Saturday, check out the Jersey Shore Comic Book Show in Toms River that will rival Comicon. Over 25 guest artists, writers, and creators of some of your favorite comics will be on hand along with a number of vendors selling toys, collectibles, non-sport cards, T-shirts, unusual “comic crafts” and more. They’ll even be an appearance by The North Jersey Ghostbusters and the Star War costume club from the 501st Legion. Kids (both big and small) can take their turn “blasting a trooper,” battling Storm Troopers and taking on the ultimate dark one, Darth Vader. (We wonder if Sheldon and Leonard will be there…)

Shamrock Shuffle
Location: Thompson Park, 805 Newman Springs Rd., Lincroft
Date: Sunday, March 15th 9:00am Registration
Cost: $30 adults/ $20 kids 12 and under

Description: After all that partying this weekend we’re suggesting you go run (or walk) a few miles to counter all that cabbage and corned beef you ate. (Hey, don’t get mad, we’re just trying to keep you in shape because summer is just around the corner!) On Sunday, the Monmouth Rugby Football Club will be hosting their First Annual Shamrock Shuffle in Thompson Park with a 5k Race/Walk and One Mile Kids’ Fun Run to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. After crossing the finish line, stay for the awards ceremony and afterparty at the Wilde Rover Clubhouse. You’ll even get a swag bag for all your hard work!

Saint Patrick’s Wine Weekend

Location: 4JG’s Vineyard, 127 Hillsdale Road, Colts Neck
Date: Saturday & Sunday, March 14th & 15th 12pm – 5:00pm
Cost: $10 adults

Descitption:
Erin Go My Wine! Come visit 4JG’s Vineyard in Colts Neck this weekend, for two days of St. Patrick’s fun! 4JG’s will be serving their famous potato soup and open face corned beef sandwiches, along with wines made at their Colts Neck vineyard. The $10 includes tasting, light lunch, and souvenir wine glass.