Red, White & Blueberry Festival, Sunday, July 1st from 10am-5pm. Hammonton, NJ. The combination of live music, kiddy rides, arts & crafts, a fantastic Classic Car Show run by Cruisin’ Classics, incredible food and blueberries in every shape and form has made this day a family favorite for people from all over the Delaware Valley. Click for more details.
The “Godfather of Wines” Wine Tasting, Thursday, June 28th from 5pm-7pm. Carmines, Atlantic City. The tasting will feature Coppola wines — produced by “The Godfather” director Francis Ford Coppola — paired with the restaurant’s Southern Italian dishes. Tickets ($15) may be purchased by calling 609-572-9300 or e-mailing reservations@carmines.com.
Taste of Rutherford, Thursday, June 28th from 6pm-8:30pm on Park Avenue. Join the evening block party as Park Avenue will be closed to traffic so the fine food establishments of Rutherford can display samples of their fine foods along with wine tastings, live entertainment and more.
Mojito Mambo Class, Thursday, June 28th at 7pm. Create and sip cocktails at Liberty House, Liberty State Park, Jersey City. Call for reservations 866-683-3586.
South Jersey Food Swap, Friday, June 29th from 7pm-9pm. Held at Bellview Winery. All items must be homemade, homegrown or foraged. Swap, one-for-one. For more details, click here.
A Taste of Greece: Greek Festival, Friday – Sunday, June 29th – July 1st. Hunterdon County, NJ. Featuring delicious Greek food and delectable desserts, Greek wines and beer, Cultural Entertainment featuring Greek music, folk dancing performances and a variety of community performers. Children’s activities, vendors, hand-crafted items and Imported Greek specialties, wine tasting, cooking demonstrations, art exhibit, door prizes, dance contests, and more! Click for more info.
Colts Neck Country Fair, Friday & Saturday, June 29th & 30th from 4pm-11pm. Enjoy great music, rides, games, crafts, vendors, and of course great food! There will also be a pie contest. Click for more details.
Summerbrew 2012, Saturday, June 30th at 5pm. An Island Heights Fire Company tradition. Enjoy beers from around the world, live entertainment and lots of food. Wine and soda are also provided. Click for more info.
Red Wine & Blues Festival, Saturday, June 30th from 3pm-8pm. Team up with the Tuckerton Seaport for a perfect afternoon of wine tasting from New Jersey’s finest wineries plus live blues music. Crafters, vendors, food, boat rides and lots of fun. Complimentary souvenir Seaport wine glass! “Traditional Pie Bake Off” contest.
Mays Landing Hometown Celebration, Saturday, June 30th at 10am. There will be water slides and bouncy rides, endless amounts of food, and unique merchandise being offered by over 100 crafters. Did I mention the Tastykake pie-eating contest? Oh yes! More details here.
Italian-American Festival and Car Show, Sunday, July 1st from 10am-6pm at Vasa Park, Budd Lake, NJ. An Italian-American cultural celebration for all cultures. Ethnic food, music, activities, car show, children’s activities, bocceball tournament, mini-golf, comedy show, much more.
And Beyond…
Independence Day, Wednesday, July 4th, all day. Celebrate the history, government, and traditions of the United States. As a foodie, I encourage you to bask in the glory of ice cream trucks, funnel cakes, BBQ’s, watermelons and everything else we love to eat on days like the 4th of July.
Oceanfest, Wednesday, July 4th. Ocean fest is an all-day celebration taking place on the oceanfront promenade in Long Branch. There will be lots of delcious food, great music, vendors, crafters, family fun, and more. Click for more information.
Middletown Jazz & Blues Festival, Saturday, July 7th from 12pm-8pm. The Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation presents a free day of music and festivities as part of our three-event Jersey Shore Festival. There will be lots of great food too! More info here.
Front Porch Bluegrass Festival & Pig Roast, Saturday, July 7th from 10am-8pm. Great food, prizes, auctions and vendors. All proceeds to benefit BYG Work Camp. Click for more info.
An Evening in Tokyo, Culinary Workshop, Tuesday, July 10th from 6pm-9pm. Culinary Workshops Offer Taste of Global Cuisine at Atlantic Cape. Experience the new style of Japanese gastro pub fare as popular menu items including Yakitori, Sushi, Noodles and Gyoza receive modern makeovers. Participants will roll up their sleeves and a few sushi rolls. To register, call 609-343-4829 or visit www.atlantic.edu/conted.
Italian-American Festival, Wednesday-Saturday, July 11th-14th from 6pm-11pm. Freehold Raceway. Enjoy major rides, games, crafters, entertainment and of course great food, hosted by the Italian-American Association of Monmouth County. For information, contact Cheryl Scuorzo, 732-536-5832.
The Feast of Mount Carmel, Thursday-Monday, July 12th-16th. Berkeley Heights. Several days packed full of international foods, top musical entertainment, amusements and fun for family and friends. The feast day promises a variety of fun, with a midday parade through Plainfield Avenue to the Church of the Little Flower! The event will also culminate with an impressive fireworks display.
NJ State Barbeque Championship, Friday – Sunday, July 13th-15th. Wildwood, NJ. Come witness barbecue teams from around the country show off their skills in a quest for the best. Don’t miss the live cooking demonstrations, special displays, and much more. The Anglesea Blues Festival is held in conjunction with the NJ State BBQ Championship.
Pour-a-Palooza, Saturday, July 14th from 12pm-4pm. Held at the Pour House in Westmont. An Outdoor Craft Beer Festival with 30-plus breweries and music. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Click or call 856-869-4600.
4th Annual Lobster Fest, Saturday & Sunday, July 14th & 15th. Held at the boardwalk in Bradley Beach between Fourth and Brinley Avenues on Ocean Avenue. Hosted by the Bradley Beach Chamber of Commerce, this two-day event features seafood galore, children’s entertainment, music, beer and wine, and crafts. Come early, stay late on both days. Call 732-897-1111 for details.
Summer Walk-Around Wine Tasting, Sunday, July 15th from 3:30pm-5pm. Pluckemin Inn, Bedminister, NJ. Come enjoy 40-50 wines with the refreshing flavors and textures that are perfect for Summer. You’ll enjoy hors d’oeuvres from our culinary team, the opportunity to purchase wines on a first-come, first-served basis, and special offers to stay and enjoy dinner. Just $30 per person!
Latin-American Festival of Folklore Raices de America, Sunday, July 15th at 10am. Held at Exchange Place in Jersey City. A multicultural event with dance, music and food from different countries of Latin America. Dances like Caporales, Morenada, Tinkus, Tobas, Bol; San Jaunito, Ecu; Mariachis, Mex; Cumbia, Col; Shajchas, Baile de las tijeras, Marinera, Peru; Cueca, Chile; salsa, Puerto Rico and more. Several groups of Folk music.
Cooking Demo, Wednesday, July 18th from 11am-1pm. Bob Sickles Sr.’s Blackberries, taught by Chef Carol Maxwell of Sickles Market, Little Silver, will be held at the Taste & Technique Cooking Studio, 597 River Rd, Fair Haven. Tickets are $55, or $99 for two. Demo includes goodie bag and lunch. For tickets, call Sickles Market at 732-741-9563.
Ice Cream Festival, Saturday, July 21st from 11am-5pm. The 10th Annual New Jersey State Ice Cream Festival held in Downtown Toms River hosts ice cream eating contests, ice cream tasting and voting, games, rides, vendors, and food. For more information, click here.
NJ Crab Festival, Saturday, July 21st at 11am. Ice House Restaurant, Wildwood. There will be crabs, a beer garden, crabs, kids activities, crabs, live music, and more crabs. Click for more details.
The Tastes of New Jersey | NJ Farm to School Network, Sunday, July 22nd, from 12pm-4pm. Two opportunities to learn about and savor the foods on New Jersey. Tula Restaurant in New Brunswick will host a five course tasting menu featuring locally grown foods. Evelyn’s Restaurant in New Brunswick will host an outdoor garden a la carte selection of food drinks, local community groups, farmer’s markets and more. Click for more details.
Women on the Move Luncheon & Tasting, Monday, July 23rd from 12pm-3pm. Celebrating New Jersey women of achievement at Branches, West Long Branch. Guests will enjoy the best of area restaurants and bakeries including Dauphin Grille; Park 33; Readies Café, and Bake Cupcakery and the opportunity to sample wine courtesy of The Wine Group and hand-crafted beers and sodas from The Brewer’s Apprentice. The event also includes an auction of luxury goods and services. For more information or reservations, call the Arthritis Foundation, New Jersey Chapter, 732-283-4300, extension 306.
New Jersey Peach Festival, Thursday – Sunday, July 26th-29th. Mullica Hill, NJ. A peach bake-off, educational displays, the sale of fresh juicy peaches & peach products. It’s so peachy, you just have to be there! Also enjoy live music and carnival rides. Features the crowning of the New Jersey Peach Queen and the awarding of the New Jersey Governors Cup for the best box of peaches.
Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival, Thursday- Sunday, July 26th-29th. Festival will enjoy four days of events, tastings and celebrity chef appearances that showcase the city’s abundant culinary offerings. www.acfoodandwine.com
Hot Air Balloon Festival, Friday- Sunday, July 27th-29th. The Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning is the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America. From twice daily mass ascensions of over 100 special shape and sport hot air balloons, to headlining concerts, non-stop family entertainment, hundreds of crafters and vendors, great food, fireworks, a balloon glow, a 5k run and more, the festival is jam-packed with stuff to do. This year there will be a special Breakfast with the Balloons VIP ticket available for Sunday. Click for more info.
