Ocean Senior Scoop: Fireworks, food trucks, fossils & disco fries

👋Hey, Ocean friends!

Ocean County is serving up a full summer menu this week: fireworks on the beach, live music by the water, baby animals at the farm, plenty of farmers markets and a landmark diner making a delicious comeback.

🎉 Weekend Plans — Fireworks, food trucks, concerts and Father’s Day fun
📚 Beyond the Books — Fossils, freedom, chair yoga and tech help
🍳 Local Flavor — The OB Diner is back, and it brought Wagyu meatloaf
🥕 Market Watch — Fresh produce, local makers and baked-good temptation
🎶 Live & Local — Outdoor concerts, EagleMania and music at the docks

Up first…

🎆 Fireworks on the Beach
Approximately 9:30 p.m.
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, 300 Ocean Ave., Point Pleasant Beach

Thursday night fireworks are back at Jenkinson’s, which means summer has officially clocked in for work. Shows run Thursdays through Sept. 3 and are weather and wind permitting. Check Jenkinson’s website or @JenksBoardwalk before heading out if the skies look questionable.

🥕 Seaside Park Farmers Market
9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
J Street Marina Lawn, J Street and Central Avenue, Seaside Park

Fresh produce, local goods and a perfectly respectable reason to spend Friday morning near the bay. The market runs every Monday and Friday through Sept. 7.

🐐 Baby Animal Fest
1–6 p.m.
Argos Farm, 1250 Lacey Road, Forked River

Baby animals. Photo opportunities. Farm treats. Honestly, they could have stopped after baby animals and we still would have been there. The festival runs Fridays through Sundays through June 28. A VIP experience begins at noon. Tickets are required.

🎸 Summer Concert at the Peto
7–9 p.m.
John F. Peto Studio Museum, 102 Cedar Ave., Island Heights

Bring a chair, some refreshments and your best outdoor-concert energy for an evening of rock ’n’ roll on the museum grounds. Admission is free, donations are welcome and there will be a 50/50 raffle. Tables with six chairs may be reserved for a fee by calling 732-929-4949. The rain date is Tuesday, June 23.

🍓 Brick Farmers Market
8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Windward Beach Park, 265 Princeton Ave., Brick

Local produce, baked goods and plenty of things you did not know you needed until you saw them arranged attractively under a tent. The market continues every Saturday through Oct. 3.

🎨 Arts & Crafts by the Sea
10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Seaside Heights Boardwalk, 410 Boardwalk

Take a stroll along the boardwalk while browsing handmade art, crafts and seaside finds from local vendors. The event is weather permitting. The rain date is Sunday, June 21.

🌮 Kickoff to Summer Food Truck Festival
3–9 p.m.
Lavallette Gazebo and Bayfront, Philadelphia Avenue

Food trucks, live bands, children’s activities and six hours of pretending you are just going to have “one little snack.” Admission is $5 for adults, and children are free. Proceeds benefit the Lavallette Business Association’s scholarship fund and free community events.

🚒 Summer Kickoff at the Firehouse
4–9 p.m.
Seaside Park Fire House, 1 Municipal Plaza

Meet the local firefighters and celebrate summer with a food truck, beer truck, DJ, games and activities for children. It’s family fun at the firehouse!

🎶 Jukebox Legends at the Barnegat Docks
6:30 p.m.
Barnegat Docks, 427 E. Bay Ave., Barnegat

The Barnegat summer concert series continues with Jukebox Legends, bringing an evening of familiar favorites to the waterfront. Bring a chair and prepare to sing along!

🌌 Wonders of the Seasonal Sky
7 p.m.
Robert J. Novins Planetarium, Ocean County College, Building 13, Toms River

Take a guided tour of the current night sky over New Jersey, featuring constellations, bright stars, visible planets and deep-sky objects. The live presenter will also cover constellation mythology and recent celestial events.

🦅 EagleMania
8 p.m.
Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts, Ocean County College, Toms River

EagleMania brings five-part harmonies, guitar solos and enough Eagles hits to make you feel like you are cruising down a desert highway with the windows open. The show includes Eagles classics plus songs from Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Joe Walsh.

🧰 A Day for Dads
8 a.m.–4 p.m.
New Egypt Flea Market, 933 Route 537, Cream Ridge

Celebrate Father’s Day with great finds, food, drinks and plenty of merchandise aimed directly at dads who enjoy fishing, fixing things and saying, “Don’t throw that out — I might need it.” Bring Dad, bring the family and leave room in the trunk.

🍅 Point Pleasant Beach Fresh Farmers & Makers Market
9 a.m.–1 p.m.
317 Cooks Road, NJ Transit parking lot, Point Pleasant Beach

Shop local farms, food purveyors, makers and small businesses at Point Pleasant Beach’s Sunday market. The market continues Sundays through Sept. 13.

🛍️ Lacey Elks Farmers & Vendor Market
11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Lacey Elks Lodge No. 2518, 900 Beach Blvd., Forked River

This Sunday market has a little bit of everything: produce, eggs, breads, cookies, pierogies, stuffed cabbage, empanadas, fresh mozzarella, juices, dog treats, plants, jewelry, soaps and handmade crafts. In other words, come for the tomatoes and leave with banana bread, pickles and a new collar for the dog. The market is held most Sundays, weather and Elks events permitting.

Point Pleasant Beach’s landmark diner has reopened after nearly two years, now under the name The New OB Diner and with chef Diego Sanchez behind the grill.

Sanchez, who also owns At The Point Diner in Point Pleasant Beach and 39 Degrees North in Stafford, has cooked around the world with chefs including Bobby Flay. But his restaurant career started in a diner, and now he’s bringing all that experience back to where pancakes, burgers and disco fries peacefully coexist on the same menu.

The new lineup includes all-day breakfast, omelets, French toast, burgers, wraps, hot entrees and several fresh soups each day. Signature dishes include Wagyu meatloaf, made-to-order fried chicken and, yes, disco fries — because some classics do not need improving.

The New OB Diner is located at 1519 Richmond Ave. It is open 6 a.m.–10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6 a.m.–3 a.m. Friday and Saturday. So whether you want pancakes at noon or meatloaf after midnight, the OB is back in business.

The Ocean County Library is covering a lot of ground this week — from the Underground Railroad to prehistoric sharks, mountain trains and tech help.

✊ Juneteenth and the Underground Railroad: Delayed Justice Realized
2–3 p.m.
Lacey Branch

Black resistance, self-emancipation and the long fight for freedom take center stage in this special Juneteenth program. Deborah Price, executive director of the Underground Railroad Museum of Burlington County, will share the stories of those who risked everything in pursuit of liberty.

The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Lacey Library. Registration is required.

🦈 Prehistoric Life of New Jersey: Dig It!
2:30–3:30 p.m.
Jackson Branch

Dinosaurs, mammoths and sharks — oh, my. Take a trip through more than a billion years of New Jersey history, back when glaciers, inland seas and a variety of enormous creatures existed. You’ll examine real fossils, learn how the state’s landscape and wildlife evolved and sort through 15-million-year-old sediment to uncover fossils you can take home.

🧘 Chair Yoga with Linda Higley
6–7 p.m.
Lacey Branch

Unwind without having to get all the way down on the floor — or figure out how to get back up. Certified instructor Linda Higley leads this relaxing evening chair-yoga session for adults and seniors. Registration is required, and participants must sign a waiver before class. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lacey Library.

🚂 Mountain Trains of New Hampshire Trip Presentation
6–8 p.m.
Little Egg Harbor Branch

All aboard for New Hampshire — eventually. The Friends of the Little Egg Harbor Branch are planning a Mountain Trains of New Hampshire trip for September 2026. Boscov’s travel agent Joey Bell-Dumoff will share details about pricing, excursions and what travelers can expect. Consider this your chance to get the full itinerary before packing your conductor’s hat.

📚 Big Book Sale
9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Long Beach Island Branch

Clear some room on the nightstand. The Friends of the Island Library are holding a two-day book sale Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All are welcome, and donations will be accepted Thursday, June 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

🪑 Chair Yoga
9:30–10:30 a.m.
Upper Shores Branch

Start Friday with stretching, breathing and absolutely no complicated floor poses. Certified yoga instructor Regina Pietersen will lead a chair-yoga class designed to improve strength, flexibility and mental well-being. A waiver must be signed before class. The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Upper Shores Branch. Registration is required.

📱 Senior Tech Workshop
2–3 p.m.
Upper Shores Branch

Bring your phone, tablet, laptop and the questions you have been afraid to ask your grandchildren. Retired IT professional and computer science professor Darren Tietsworth will provide personalized help with devices and technology. Bring your own device and questions. Registration is required.

🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQIA+ Senior Social Group
2–3 p.m.
Lacey Branch

LGBTQIA+ older adults are invited to connect, share resources and build community during this welcoming monthly social group. The drop-in gathering is held on the third Friday of each month and facilitated by a local volunteer group leader. No registration required.

Links to the latest news on aging from trusted media sources.

The Connection Between Hearing Loss and Dementia: Discover how untreated hearing loss could increase your risk of dementia and why early intervention is key to protecting brain health. U.S. News & World Report, June 9

Private Medicare Plans Often Deny Access to Rehab Care, Analysis Shows: Two reports by U.S. investigators reveal how Medicare Advantage is quick to reject requests for short-term nursing home or inpatient services. USA Today, June 11.

Master the Art of Spending in Retirement: Many people find it tough to shift from saving to tapping wealth once they stop work. Here's how to enjoy your money more — without fear of running out. Kiplinger, June 13

You've Spent a Lifetime Amassing Your Stuff. Here's How to Get Rid of It: Key tips to tackle decluttering (before someone has to do it for you). Kiplinger, June 13.

Cunard is celebrating a major maritime milestone by giving two travelers the chance to cross the Atlantic aboard the world’s only active ocean liner.

The winner and a guest will sail aboard Queen Mary 2 on its historic 450th Transatlantic Crossing, traveling from Southampton, England, to New York from November 10–17, 2026. The prize also includes flights, a hotel stay in Southampton and transportation to and from the port.

Queen Mary 2 is the only active ocean liner offering regularly scheduled crossings between New York and Southampton — a tradition Cunard began in 1840 when RMS Britannia sailed from Liverpool to Boston.

The giveaway comes as Cunard prepares to participate in Sail4th 250, America’s 250th anniversary celebration in New York Harbor on July 4. Queen Mary 2 and its passengers will have a front-row view of the gathering of tall ships and naval vessels.

The sweepstakes is open through July 31, 2026. Participants receive one entry by completing the registration form and may earn a bonus entry by uploading a photo from a previous Cunard voyage or answering a poll about what they would most like to experience on their first Cunard sailing. Enter and review the official rules at CunardCrossingGiveaway.com.

Planning a trip to Florida’s Space Coast? A new podcast may help you hear about the destination before you see it.

The Florida’s Space Coast Office of Tourism has launched Cocoa Beach on Florida’s Space Coast, a new series hosted by former CNN journalist and producer Kelly Bowman. Available on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts and other major podcast platforms, the show explores the people, places and stories that give Cocoa Beach its character.

Episodes feature conversations with local surfers, scientists, chefs, artists and other community personalities. Topics range from rocket launches at Kennedy Space Center and sunrise surfing to bioluminescent lagoon paddles and the area’s wildlife.

The podcast is designed for travelers planning their first visit, returning guests looking for something new and anyone who wants to experience Cocoa Beach beyond the usual tourist stops.

Florida’s Space Coast is about 45 minutes east of Orlando and includes Cocoa Beach, Melbourne and the Beaches, Port Canaveral, Titusville, Palm Bay and Viera. The region offers 72 miles of beaches, extensive wetlands and waterways, Kennedy Space Center and the world’s busiest cruise port.

Learn more at VisitSpaceCoast.com.

Here’s one way to earn a few extra grandparent points this summer: Take the grandkids to Rita’s for its new Mermaid Italian Ice.

The bright pink treat combines sweet berry and marshmallow flavors and comes topped with shimmering Unicorn Glitter — because apparently regular sprinkles were not magical enough. Kids can try it as a Mermaid Gelati, layered with Rita’s Vanilla Frozen Custard, or sip it as a Mermaid Ice Blender, a smooth frozen drink finished with even more sparkle.

Mermaid Italian Ice is available at participating Rita’s locations nationwide from June 15 through July 19. New Rita’s app members can also receive a free small Ice, Custard or Gelati after signing up. Learn more at RitasIce.com.

Ready to trade the usual weekend routine for live music or high-flying thrills? These two New Jersey events are worth the drive.

June 18–21
Wildwood

Wildwood is going country for four days with one of the biggest music lineups of the summer. This year’s Barefoot Country Music Fest features Post Malone, Eric Church, Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, Shaboozey, Tucker Wetmore, Cole Swindell, Ty Myers, The Fray, Chase Rice, Tracy Lawrence, Ashley Cooke, Dasha, Chris Lane and nearly 40 more performers.

June 19–21
West Milford

Father’s Day weekend is taking off in West Milford with daring aerial maneuvers, cutting-edge aircraft displays and performances from some of the world’s top airshow pilots. The weekend also includes laser shows and pyrotechnics, adding even more spectacle once the sun goes down. It’s a strong pick for aviation fans, families and anyone who enjoys looking up and saying, “How did they do that?”

The World Cup is underway in New Jersey, which is great for soccer fans and terrible for anyone who needs to drive on the NJ Turnpike.

MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford still has matches on June 22, June 25, June 27, June 30, July 5 and July 19.

So here’s the Jersey survival plan: avoid the Turnpike, Route 3, the Meadowlands and, honestly, most of North Jersey on game days unless you enjoy brake lights and have the patience of a saint.

And on July 19, when the World Cup Final comes to town? Stay home. Order a pizza. Watch the game from the couch.

In New Jersey, that counts as winning.😉

That’s it for now. Go make some plans, and have a very happy Father’s Day weekend!

Questions, comments or news to share? We’d love to hear from you! Just hit reply to this email.

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See you next week!

The Ocean Senior Scoop team

Disclaimer: We share helpful information, not medical, legal or financial advice. Always check with a qualified professional before making important decisions involving your health, money or legal affairs. And while we do our best to keep event details accurate, plans can change faster than Jersey Shore weather — so confirm before heading out!😎