The Ocean County Fair and more things to do at the Shore this weekend

Animals, music and rides — oh my!

On the fair's main stage, enjoy bands playing everything from jazz to Motown to country. There also will be line dancing, as well as comedy and variety shows.

Spread throughout the fairgrounds, find horseback-riding demonstrations, pig races, a pirate show, food vendors, rides and games.

New this year is Circus Incredible, a show that features aerial acts 30 feet up and is led by Lyric Wallenda, a seventh-generation member of the famous Wallenda family of high wire and trapeze artists.

From members of Ocean County 4-H, fairgoers can learn to shoot a bow and arrow, ask questions of a Master Gardener, meet Seeing Eye puppies, check out an animal costume contest, and watch a horse parade.

Go: Ocean County Fair, 5 to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Robert J. Miller Airpark, Route 530, Berkeley Township, $10, free for children younger than 10 (rides are an additional cost); oceancountyfair.org.

Here are more things to do this week, including Pride Fest in Highlands, and a screening of "Dogma" in Asbury Park.

New Jersey's ship has come in

The A.J. Meerwald is scheduled to arrive at Barnegat Inlet at 8 a.m. Wednesday. At noon, during a Parade of Sail, vessels are invited to meet at the mouth of Toms River and sail/motor along with the restored oyster schooner to Island Heights Yacht Club.

The restored oyster schooner A.J. Meerwald is the floating classroom of the Bayshore Center at Bivalve, a nonprofit organization based in Cumberland County that aims to "advance the understanding of the human impact on New Jersey’s aquatic environment through education, advocacy and programming." 

On Wednesday, New Jersey's official Tall Ship is scheduled to arrive at Barnegat Inlet at 8 a.m. At noon, during a Parade of Sail, vessels are invited to meet at the mouth of Toms River and sail/motor along to Island Heights Yacht Club, where the A.J. Meerwald is expected to arrive at 1 p.m. There will be a dockside reception at 5 p.m., and open boat tours.

A Maritime Career & Leadership Pathways Panel runs from from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday on the second floor of the club, located on River Avenue. No registration is required and admission is free.

At press time, there are still spots open for youth education programs (for kids 8 to 15) from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday. Parents or youth organizations should email [email protected].

The A.J. Meerwald Challenge Cup, sailing's oldest continuous competition, takes place Saturday, hosted by the Toms River Yacht Club. As many as 11 boats will be taking part, and the event is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. You may be able to see at least one leg of the race at various points, including in Seaside Heights along the bayside on Lake Avenue; Long Point in Island Heights; Coates Point in Toms River; and from Pelican Island in Barnegat Bay. More information is at tryc.com.

On Sunday, enjoy coffee with A.J. Meerwald Capt. Fern Hoffmann from 10 a.m. to noon on the docks of the Island Heights Yacht Club.

Go: A.J. Meerwald arrives, 1 p.m. Wednesday, Island Heights Yacht Club, followed by additional events Thursday through Sunday; bayshorecenter.org/ports-barnegat-bay, ihyc.clubexpress.com. The A.J. Meerwald Challenge Cup, hosted by the Toms River Yacht Club, begins at 1:30 p.m. Saturday; bbyra.org.

Pride Fest in the Park in Highlands

Betty Buttonz of Atlantic Highlands does their makeup June 1 in the car mirror before going on stage for Jersey Pride in Asbury Park. Buttonz will headline Pride Fest in the Park on Saturday in Highlands.

The Highlands Business Partnership is hosting the third annual Pride Fest in the Park Saturday, led by drag performer Betty Buttonz.

Organizers invite festivalgoers to enjoy "a fabulous day of love, color and community ... a celebration that's louder, prouder and more joyful than ever."

The Pride Fest will feature a lip sync showdown, "Work the Runway" competition, dance party music, food vendors, specialty shops, and a beer and wine garden.

Go: Third annual Pride Fest in the Park, 2 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Huddy Park, 301 Shore Drive, Highlands, free; 732-291-4713, highlandsnj.com.

'Dogma' screening in Asbury Park

Kevin Smith speaks Nov. 17, 2024, at Kevin Smith's Dogma Confessional during New York Magazine's Vulture Festival in Los Angeles.

ShowRoom Cinema in Asbury Park launches "Unstreamable Cinema" on Saturday.

This new series features four films that are currently unavailable on any streaming platform, starting at 8 p.m. Saturday with a 25th anniversary screening of "Dogma."

Kevin Smith’s irreverent religious satire brings New Jersey attitude to matters of heaven and hell. With a cast led by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, this cult classic follows two fallen angels attempting to exploit a loophole back into paradise— risking the end of existence itself.

The series continues with Robert Altman's drama "Short Cuts" at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 27; "Happiness," directed by Garden State native Todd Solondz, at 8 p.m. Aug. 16; and John Waters' cult classic "Pink Flamingos" at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22.

Tickets are $15 for each film.

Summer concerts in Bradley Beach

90.5 The Night, Brookdale Public Radio, has announced the return of Songwriters on the Beach, a free concert series that kicks off Thursday and runs through Aug. 21 on the Newark Avenue Beach in Bradley Beach.

Each free concert begins at 7 p.m. Audiences are invited to bring a beach chair or blanket.

Opening the series is The Jack Moves, and Patty C and the Pints. Lineup details and event updates can be found at songwritersonthebeach.org.

Barnegat Bay Day

A day of family learning with lots of hands-on activities and food trucks, Barnegat Bay Day takes place from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Long Beach Island Foundation in Loveladies.

Learn about the Barnegat Bay ecosystem, from water and land to critters and plants. There will be science-themed crafts and demonstrations — and you can get your photo taken with terrapins and Out of Sight Alpacas.

Admission is free but registration is required at lbifoundation.org.

Go: Barnegat Bay Day, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, LBI Foundation of the Arts + Sciences, 120 Long Beach Blvd., Loveladies, free; 609-494-1241, lbifoundation.org.

'Hairspray' in Middletown

The cast of "Hairspray," which the MAC Players present at Middletown Arts Center over the next two weekends.

You can't stop the beat.

The MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center present the Broadway musical "Hairspray" over the next two weekends.

Directed by Victoria Keiser, with musical direction by Lauryn Boyle and choreography by Samantha Amaral, the Tony Award-winning show is full of comedy, great songs and big dance numbers. 

Based on the John Waters’ cult classic film, "Hairspray" takes place in 1962 in Baltimore, where the lovable, plus-size teen Tracy Turnblad has only one desire: to dance on the popular “Corny Collins Show.” When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star.

The book is by Mark O’donnell and Thomas Meehan, music by New Jersey's own Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman.

Shows run at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays through July 20. Tickets are $17.50 to $32.50, with a $5 student and senior discount with reserved seating.

Off to see 'The Wizard' in Manasquan

Because of the wonderful things he does, Algonquin Arts Theatre is presenting "The Wizard of Oz" from Saturday to July 27.

Enter this magical world with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion.

And Toto, too? And Toto, too.

Enjoy all of the beloved moments and iconic songs from the classic MGM film. Show times this weekend are 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. There are also performances at 7:30 p.m. Fridays, July 18 and 25; at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, July 19 and 26; and 3 p.m. Sundays, July 20 and 27. Tickets range from $27 to $47.

'Broadway Tour of America' in Toms River

Ocean County College Repertory Theatre Company presents “A Broadway Tour of America” Thursday to Sunday, and July 19 and 20, in the Black Box Theatre (Building 11B) at the Grunin Center for the Arts, located on the OCC main campus in Toms River.

“A Broadway Tour of America” celebrates America’s cultural landmarks through musical theater. Featuring songs from Broadway’s most beloved musicals, the production includes intimate ballads and show-stopping numbers.

Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Additional performances take place at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 19, and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 20.

Tickets are $26, $24 for seniors, $22 for students.

Go: "A Broadway Tour of America," Thursday through July 20, Grunin Center for the Arts, Black Box Theatre (Building 11B) on OCC main campus, College Drive, Toms River, $26, $24 for seniors, $22 for students; 732-255-0500, grunincenter.org.

Ocean County Library drive to help kids

In July ,the Ocean County Library will be seeking donations of new, packaged toiletries and personal care items for children and teens in need.

Along with the usual donations of books, OCL’s Sparks B.F.F. Reading Club is collecting summer-themed toiletries. The drive will be centered in six branches: 

• Toms River, 101 Washington St., 732-349-6200
• Brick, 301 Chambers Bridge Road, 732-477-4513
• Long Beach Island, 217 South Central Ave., Surf City, 609-494-2480
• Point Pleasant Beach, 710 McLean Ave., 732-892-4575
• Point Pleasant Borough, 834 Beaver Dam Road, 732-295-1555 
• Upper Shores, 112 Jersey City Ave., Lavallette, 732-793-3996. 

The most-needed items, a release states, are hair combs and brushes, feminine hygiene products, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, insect repellent, sunglasses, sunscreen, reusable water bottles, flip-flop sandals, soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Only new, packaged items will be accepted.

Broadway Barks in New York

Dozens of Broadway actors will be at Broadway Barks on Saturday in Shubert Alley.

The 27th annual dog and cat adoption event begins at 3 p.m., hosted by co-founder Bernadette Peters and Beth Leavel, and produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

After the "meet and greet" of all the adoptable pets, the adoptees make their Broadway debut on stage alongside celebrities and stars from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Among them: Audra McDonald, Bebe Neuwirth, Kara Young, Victoria Clark, Jak Malone and Danny Burstein.

More information is at broadwaybarks.org.

Have an event coming up? Tell us about it. Email Bill Canacci at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: The Ocean County Fair and more things to do at the Shore this weekend