Multi-Day Events
Peter Pan and the Pirates by Riddlesbrood Touring Theater
Saturday, May 27th & Sunday, May 28th
Historic Smithville 615 E. Moss Mill Rd.
An exciting, new way of presenting live theater will be rolling into Historic Smithville. The premier of Riddlesbrood’s Peter Pan and the Pirates, an original, rollicking, musical adaptation of James Matthew Barrie’s, nonsensical novel, will be the featured free outdoor attraction at their annual 2-day Fantasy AdventureFest that will return to Smithville. Showtimes are Saturday at 1pm & 5pm, and Sunday at 1pm. Rain or shine. For more information, visit www.historicsmithville.com or www.riddlesbrood.com/fantasyadventurefest.
Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival
Saturday, June 3rd from 2-6pm & Sunday, June 4th from 12-4pm
Bader Field 545 N. Albany Ave.
Session 1 on Saturday will feature music by the Dropkick Murphys, and Sunday features 311. All attendees must be 21 years of age or older. Produced by Good Time Tricycle Productions. For a complete list of all festival breweries, musical lineups, activities, tickets and more information, visit acbeerfest.com.
Ocean City Flower Show
Friday, June 2nd – Sunday, June 4th
Ocean City Music Pier 825 Boardwalk
See beautiful commercial, amateur and children’s displays at the Music Pier. Show times are Friday 2-8pm, Saturday 10am-8pm and Sunday 10am-4pm. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ or visit oceancityvacation.com.
Somers Point Dance Society
Tuesdays from 7:30-10pm
Somers Point Fire Co. #1 447 Bethel Rd.
Come out to Somers Point Fire Co. #1 every Tuesday for social dancing, line dances, dance mixers, and more. Light snacks included in admission. $10 live musical duo each week. Call Rita Voli at 609-408-3619 for information. See you on the dance floor.
Thursday, May 25th
Surf & Soul Drum Circles in Atlantic City
5:30-7:30pm
Caspian Avenue Beach
Join Sea Goddess Healing Arts for their monthly Surf & Soul Drum Circle Series. This is a free jam series open to all ages. No experience required. Bring an instrument if you have one. We’ll provide sticks and buckets to use during the drum circle. Free and open to all, donations appreciated. Come out and vibe with your tribe at the beach. For more information, visit seagoddesshealingarts.com.
Friday, May 26th
Ventnor City Farmers Market Opening Day
8:30am-12pm
St. James Church Newport & Atlantic Ave.
Entering its 7th season, the Ventnor City Farmers Market is a most delightful place to shop every Friday throughout the summer. You’re greeted by friendly vendors who happily answer questions and offer up some market swag. The parking lot at St. James Church brims with 60+ farmers, food vendors, and crafters who offer fresh, seasonal picks, delicious artisan foods, baked goods, beverages, and beautiful handmade wares. Open Fridays through September 3rd. Visit vcfm.org to see a complete list of vendors and sponsors.
Unlocking of the Ocean and Business Persons Plunge
12pm
Moorlyn Terrace Beach Boardwalk and Music Pier, Ocean City
Participants dress in business suits carrying briefcases and march into the ocean to the strains of Pomp and Circumstance to welcome the Summer. The event will take place at Noon at Moorlyn Terrace Street Beach. For more information, visit oceancityvacation.com.
Opening of the Sea in Atlantic City
1pm
Atlantic City Beach at Resorts 1133 Boardwalk
Resorts Atlantic City kicks off its 45th Anniversary and Hot Summer Fun with the Opening of the Sea this Friday, with Kelsey Grammar and Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr.
Atlantic County Veterans Memorial Program
2pm
Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery 109 Route 50, Estell Manor
The 38th Annual Atlantic County Veterans Memorial Program will be held this Friday, featuring Keynote Speaker, Atlantic County Veterans Services Officer and U.S. Army Veteran, Robert L. Frolow
Resorts Atlantic City Beach Ball Drop
5pm
1133 Boardwalk
You’re invited to summer’s biggest event with over 5,000 beach balls on the boardwalk. Join Resorts for the countdown to 5pm when over 5,000 beach balls drop on the boardwalk kicking off Hot Summer Fun. The festivities begin at 12pm with music from MC Bacardi Ardi and DJ Gary, and the Opening of the Sea at 1pm.
Smithville Car Cruise
5-8pm
Historic Smithville 615 E. Moss Mill Rd.
A car cruise at Historic Smithville is simply a great place to hang out with fellow car enthusiasts. Car cruises are held on the second and fourth Friday from May through September. Just drive to the side parking lot of the Village Greene and near the red covered bridge; you will see orange cones set up. Move a cone and park your car. For more information, visit www.historicsmithville.com.
Ocean City Nor’easters vs. Philadelphia Lone Star FC
7pm
Carey Stadium 500 Boardwalk
The Ocean City Nor’easters return to “The Beach House” for their first home game of the 2023 season. More information is available at oceancityfc.com.
Saturday, May 27th
Brigantine Farmers Market
8am-12pm
Brigantine Community School parking lot Sheridan Blvd.
The Brigantine Farmers Market will be open to customers this Saturday and will run every Saturday, rain or shine, until Labor Day weekend. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/brigantinefarmersmarket.
Memorial Day Challenge for 31 Heroes
8am
9th Street Beach, Ocean City
The main obstacle course challenge is a soft sand adventure race followed by a kid’s fun run. Staging will take place at 9th Street Beach. Welcome ceremony begins at 7:30am, followed by the Obstacle Course Race at 8am, Kids Fun Run at 9:30am, and Memorial Paddle Out at appx. 9:45-10am. For registration information, visit memorialbeachchallenge.com or call 856-905-0583.
Flea Market in Ocean City
8am-3pm
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church 2988 Bay Ave. Ocean City
Holy Trinity’s Memorial Day Flea Market and Hoagie Sale will be held this weekend, with vendors selling antiques, collectables, clothes, jewelry, crafts and more.
Upper Twp. Strawberry Festival
10am-3pm
Gandy Farmstand 26 Tyler Rd. Greenfield
The annual Upper Twp. Strawberry Festival and Craft Show will be held this Saturday. The festival is presented by the Historical Preservation Society of Upper Township. South Jersey strawberries will be on sale. In addition, Society volunteers will be serving up their special Strawberry Shortcake and ice cream, along with other festival food selections, live music by Linda and Ollie, handmade crafts, non-profit organizations and more. For additional information, visit www.UpperTwpHistory.org.
Ventnor City Summer Beach Jam
6pm
Newport Avenue Beach
Listen to live music on the beach. The Summer Beach Jam is held behind the Ventnor Library and Cultural Arts Center. This week, enjoy live music by the Cintron Band, playing the best in Latin and Santana. Live music begins at 6pm, with food and crafters ready to serve you at 5pm.
Sunday, May 28th
Black Art Matters with Raymond Tyler
1-3pm
Noyes Arts Garage 2200 Fairmount Ave. Atlantic City
Join the Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University with local writer, poet, DJ, visual artist, and Shore Local contributor Raymond Tyler. Black Arts Matter is for local creatives to network and discuss the artistic process, with new themes every month. For more information, visit artsgarageac.com.
Thursday, June 1st
Pop Up Shop for a Purpose
11am-4pm
Location To Be Announced
Pop Up Shop for a Purpose next Thursday. A portion of the proceeds will support Counseling Programs at Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties (JFS). For the Pop Up Shop Open House address, email Development@jfsatlantic.org. For information on JFS programs and services, visit jfsatlantic.org.
Celebrate! An Evening with The Arc of Atlantic County
6-9:30pm
The Deck at Golden Nugget 600 Huron Ave. Atlantic City
Join The Arc and “Sail into Summer” with a casual evening on The Deck with friends, supporters, community partners, and business leaders. Chef-curated food, beer, wine & signature cocktails, live entertainment & dancing, silent auction, 50/50 raffle, and prize raffle. To purchase tickets, make a donation, or sponsor a guest, please visit thearcatlantic.org/celebrate or call 609.485.0800 x 141.
Wonder Bear’s Birthday Bash
6-10:30pm
Gillian’s Wonderland Pier 6th Street and the Boardwalk, Ocean City
Celebrate Wonder Bear’s Birthday; celebrating 93 years on the Ocean City Boardwalk with fireworks at 9pm. For more information, visit oceancityvacation.com.
Friday, June 2nd
EHT BMX & Mountain Bike Open House
6:30pm
Veterans Memorial Park Ocean Heights Ave. Egg Harbor Township
EHT BMX is hosting a free open house to the public. The track is located just past the hockey courts. Registration opens at 5:30pm. All riders who sign up for a free 1 day trial membership will be entered to win a free 1 year membership and EHTBMX swag. Bring your bike, helmet, long pants, long sleeve shirt and closed toe shoes. For questions, call 609-927-9089.
Saturday, June 3rd
Somers Point Farmers Market
8am-12pm
Somers Mansion 1000 Shore Rd.
Somers Point Farmers Market returns to Somers Mansion for 2023 next weekend. For more information, go to visitsomerspoint.com.
Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs EHT
10am-12pm
EHT Nature Reserve 317 Zion Rd.
Join EHT Recreation, the EHT Municipal Alliance and NJDEP Department of Fish and Wildlife for a fun day of fishing and prizes at the Nature Reserve. Prizes will be given for the biggest fish, smallest fish and most fish. This program is open to anyone under the age of 20. Sign up today at ehtrec.com.
Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs Galloway
9am-12pm
Patriot Lake 300 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd. Galloway
The Friends of Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge invites you to their annual Les Murray Memorial Free Fishing Derby for Children Ages 5-12. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. To register, call 609-652-1665 between 10am-2pm Wednesday through Sunday. Registration is limited.
Skato to Kato
1pm
Ocean City Skatepark 5th & Asbury Ave.
Come help the Humane Society of Ocean City continue Kato’s legacy of raising money and awareness for all shelter animals in need of forever homes. $20 Registration fee to enter All Ages Skate Camp. Live music by LNJ Sessions, fun, and spectators are free, and donations will be accepted and appreciated. For more information visit hsocnj.org.
Upcoming Bus Trips
Phillies vs. Braves
Thursday, June 22nd
Game time is at 1:05pm. $90 per person includes bus, 300 level ticket, a $12 voucher good for anything in the stadium, assorted beverages, and driver gratuity. Pick up locations in Brigantine and Absecon. Contact John Walters at (609) 703-5418 for more details.
Health and Wellness
Dementia Support Group
Wednesday, June 7th at 1:30pm
6009 Paul and Thelma Lane, Mays Landing
Held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month from 1:30-3pm. Call Diane Conover at 609-402-6966 for more information.
Meetings for Family Members of Individuals Affected by Mental Illness and/or Substance Use Disorder
Thursday, June 8th at 10:30am
This is a workshop style meeting among peers with a new topic each month. Meetings include a presentation segment and an open discussion component. Daytime meetings are 10:30am on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month; evening meetings are the third Thursday at 7pm. Offered by the Mental Health Association of Atlantic County through the Intensive Family Support Services program. Call 609-517-8614 for information on how to participate.
NAMI Connections and Family Support Groups
Monday, June 12th at 7pm
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church 606 Shore Rd. Somers Point
NAMI Connection is a recovery support group for adults with a mental health condition. Family Support Group is a support group for adult friends and family members of people with mental health conditions. For more information and to register, please visit www.namiacm.org, or call 609-741-5125. NAMI ACM is a non-profit 501C(3) corporation.
Mental Health Support and Discussion Groups
Online groups are offered daily for a variety of topics, including women, men, LGBTQIA+, individuals aged 18-30. Boomers, anxiety, depression, eating disorder, and many others. Groups are also provided to individuals with a family member who lives with a mental health challenge. To receive a full list and to register, call 609-652-3800 or unitedbywellness@mhanj.org.
Recovery Groups
More than a dozen groups for individuals living with substance use disorder are offered online. Topics range from mental health/wellness to employment, faith, and more. Groups are provided 7 days a week. Interested participants can register for groups through unitedbywellness@mhanj.org or by calling the Mental Health Association in Atlantic County at 609-652-3800.
Wellness Groups
A wide variety of online groups are offered to enhance wellness and introduce interested participants to ways they can improve their day-to-day mental health. These daily groups include meditation, art, music, journaling, eating healthy, exercise, spirituality, adult coloring, gratitude, and more. To register and receive links by email, call 609-652-3800 or unitedbywellness@mhanj.org.
Senior Aging Experts
Information Senior Presentations Available. Panel of experienced professionals that cover many aspects of aging. This is not a sales presentation. Please call to arrange. For more information, contact Diane Conover at 609-402-6966.