Hey neighbors…

How’s everyone surviving the first weeks of school? Between earlier alarms, packed lunches, new routines, and figuring out where everyone needs to be, this week probably felt a little longer than usual.

The good news? The weekend is almost here.

And Ocean County clearly didn’t get the memo that summer is over. There’s a lot happening, so consider this your excuse to get out of the house and enjoy it.

This week, the spotlight is on Simply Seaglass & Shells, a local coastal art business created by Gail, a born-and-raised Jersey Girl who turned her love of collecting seaglass and shells into something much bigger.

Gail creates and sells handmade coastal-inspired art through Etsy and local craft and art shows, but one of our favorite parts of her business is that she also teaches others how to make their own pieces through hands-on workshops.

Here’s how Gail describes it:

October 25 at Calgo Gardens

November 2 at Wally’s Restaurant in LBI

You can find upcoming workshop details and ticket links through Simply Seaglass & Shells on Instagram or browse Gail’s artwork on Etsy.

If you’ve ever come home from the beach with a pocket full of shells and no idea what to do with them, Gail may have the answer.

9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Point Pleasant Beach marks the 25th anniversary of September 11 with a community ceremony at Monument Park by the Bandshell. Find out more here...

Farmer's Market Drop-In Crafts Stop by the Jackson Library and farm stand for fall-themed crafts, no registration needed. Find out more here...

AFTERNOON

Shore Chronicles with Margaret Thomas Buchholz Local Shore author and historian Margaret Thomas Buchholz leads a special one-hour program at Beach Haven Public Library. Find out more here...

Speed Friending for Seniors Meet potential new friends through short, rotating conversations with prompts from the Jackson Library, plus light refreshments. Find out more here...

OC Purls Knitting Group Bring your current project to the Upper Shores Library for a relaxed afternoon of stitching and conversation. Find out more here...

EVENING

First Responders Night Jenkinson's is giving first responders and their immediate families free unlimited rides, plus half-price Aquarium, Mini Golf, and Fun House admission with valid ID. Find out more here...

An Evening with Groucho Frank Ferrante brings Groucho Marx back to life in a fast-paced, interactive ninety-minute comedy performance at Surflight Theatre. Find out more here...

Sensory Seas Day Whole Spectrum Autism hosts a sensory-friendly evening of ocean exploration at Jenkinson's Aquarium for the autism community and their families. Find out more here...

Art for Feelings This free family night at TRAC mixes hands-on art, emotional wellness, food, and creative activities for kids, teens, and adults, with registration required. Find out more here...

Laser Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon The Novins Planetarium pairs Pink Floyd's classic album with a forty-three-minute immersive laser art show. Find out more here...

Country Line Dancing BTK Entertainment takes over Laurita Winery with beginner-friendly line dancing lessons throughout the evening. Find out more here...

With the first weeks of school underway, here’s a little Ocean County history that feels especially timely.

Ocean Gate Elementary was established in 1914, when the borough’s school began as a one-room schoolhouse. Over the years, it grew into a small district serving generations of local families.

Remarkably, that district remained independent all the way until June 2026, when Ocean Gate Elementary permanently closed after major reductions in state aid created a significant budget shortfall.

Beginning this school year, Ocean Gate students are attending schools in neighboring Berkeley Township.

So, while most local families are settling into a new school year, Ocean Gate families are adjusting to a much bigger change.

Read the full story from NJ 101.5 here…

MORNING

Rescue, Wrench, and Ride Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show This Tyler Webb Memorial Foundation fundraiser brings cars, trucks, motorcycles, food trucks, vendors, live music, an RC vehicle show, pet adoption, and awards to Veterans Park. Find out more here...

4th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta Long Beach Township challenges homemade cardboard boats to take to the water at Bayview Park, with prizes up for grabs. Find out more here...

Penguins & Pajamas Kids can show up in pajamas for penguin stories, a craft, and a special meet and greet with one of Jenkinson's African penguins, with Aquarium admission included. Find out more here...

Gentle Yoga with Belle Bring a mat to the Toms River Library for a beginner-friendly hour of gentle yoga led by instructor Belle Burns. Find out more here...

AFTERNOON

Sailfest NJ One of the weekend's biggest events takes over the Island Heights waterfront with two sailing regattas, live music, 130-plus vendors, artists, food trucks, beer and wine, kids activities, and a noon 9/11 Reflection Ceremony. Find out more here...

10th Anniversary Ocean County Irish Festival The Irish Festival celebrates its tenth year at its new Miller Air Park home with a full day dedicated to Irish heritage and community. Find out more here...

Ship Bottom's Day at the Bay Head to the municipal ramp for food vendors, contests, dancing, and family activities in honor of America's 250th, with fireworks planned at dusk. Find out more here...

Lavallette Founders Day Lavallette's annual community celebration returns to the bayfront at Bay Boulevard and Philadelphia Avenue with a full afternoon of local festivities. Find out more here...

Wine on the Beach Sample New Jersey and international wines right on the beachfront, browse local artisans, and catch a concert on the Local Summer festival's beach stage. Find out more here...

Briar Connection Concert Local band Briar Connection brings classic rock, Motown, blues, jazz, country, and oldies to the Jackson Library's 25th Anniversary Concert Series. Find out more here...

EVENING

80's Night Murder Mystery Dinner Show Break out the big hair, jean jackets, and leg warmers for an interactive 1980s murder mystery paired with a full dinner at the Mathis House. Find out more here...

Joey Kola Stand-Up Comedian Joey Kola headlines a Saturday night show at Uncle Vinnie's Comedy Club on Arnold Avenue. Find out more here...

Monthly Opening Art Reception TRAC unveils a fresh monthly exhibit with local artists, conversation, light bites, and refreshments at its downtown gallery. Find out more here...

Albert Music Hall Saturday Show Six bands take the stage for an inexpensive night of bluegrass, country, folk, Americana, and old-time music at one of Ocean County's most distinctive local venues. Find out more here...

The Shore is giving us a little bit of everything this weekend.

Friday looks like the winner, with mostly sunny skies and a high around 80. Saturday should stay pretty nice too, with partly sunny skies and a high near 79.

Sunday warms back up to around 83, but there’s a 40% chance of showers, plus a chance of rain Saturday night.

Translation…make your outdoor plans, but maybe keep the umbrella nearby for the second half of the weekend.

Tide Predictions

Full Weather Report

Full Traffic Report

MORNING

Beach Plum Festival Island Beach State Park's annual celebration features arts and crafts, kids activities, food, live music, nonprofits, and, naturally, plenty of beach plum treats. Find out more here...

General John Lacey Historical Festival Step into Revolutionary era history with reenactors, musket drills, glassblowing demonstrations, pony rides, historical talks, live music, food trucks, and vendors. Find out more here...

Junior Keepers Kids ages 7 to 11 can go behind the scenes at Jenkinson's Aquarium to learn about animal feeding, training, enrichment, and what it is like to work as an aquarist. Find out more here...

Jersey Shore CARD Show Collectors can browse sports cards, Pokémon, Magic, non-sport cards, comics, toys, memorabilia, and other collectibles at the Toms River Elks. Find out more here...

AFTERNOON

First-Ever Pizza Fest Long Beach Township's brand-new festival brings pizza and pizza-themed food, free kids activities, adult beverages, live music by The Pickles, NFL football on a big screen, and appearances from Mario and Princess Peach to Bayview Park. Find out more here...

Local Appreciation Weekend Ocean and Monmouth County residents can grab a discounted three-hour unlimited ride wristband at Jenkinson's with proof of residency, on the second and final day of this year's local rate. Find out more here...

Grape Stomping Festival Laurita Winery wraps its harvest weekend with grape stomping, live music, food trucks, local vendors, and free wagon tours through the vineyard. Find out more here...

Nat Adderley, Jr. The acclaimed jazz pianist and longtime Luther Vandross musical director performs selections from his chart-topping album Took So Long at the Grunin Center. Find out more here...

Eddie Testa Catch an afternoon of live waterfront music from Eddie Testa on the deck at Wharfside Patio Bar. Find out more here...

EVENING

Art & Soul Sanctuary Yoga hosts a free community evening with local artists, acoustic music, yoga and Qi Gong demos, chair massage, kids art, juices, and a guided sunset meditation. Find out more here...

Paranormal Cirque Specter The big top at Ocean County Mall gets decidedly darker for the last night of its four-night run, with a mix of circus acts, acrobatics, illusions, theater, cabaret, and horror-inspired spectacle. Find out more here...

Ray Price Tribute Show Albert Music Hall caps its Pine Barrens Steel Guitar Jamboree with a full evening tribute to country legend Ray Price, backed by regional steel guitarists and singers. Find out more here...

From our entire team here at The Shore Things, we hope you have a fantastic weekend!

If you have any questions, event tips, or local recommendations, you can always reach us at [email protected].

See you next week!

Know a local business, maker, restaurant, nonprofit, or hidden gem we should feature? Send them our way. (Here’s that email again: [email protected].)

We’ve already got some great local spotlights lined up, and we want to keep introducing you to the people and businesses that make Ocean County special.

And if you’re feeling crafty, make sure to check out Simply Seaglass & Shells and Gail’s upcoming workshops!