THINGS TO DO

Monmouth County Fair, Smokey Robinson, Italian Fest and more things to do at the Shore

Where can you find live music, animal shows, BMX races, food, games and family-friendly fun? The Monmouth County Fair, of course. It's running Wednesday through Sunday at the East Freehold Showgrounds on Kozloski Road in Freehold.

Presented by the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners in cooperation with the Monmouth County Park System and the Monmouth County 4-H Association, the fair will feature music by the Haven on Wednesday, the Chuck Lambert Band on Thursday, Yasgur’s Farm on Friday, Zydeco Revelators and Waiting on Mongo on Saturday, and Dark City Strings and students from the Red Bank chapter of the School of Rock on Sunday.

There will be a pie-eating contest, fireworks, and a home and garden competition. For a full schedule of activities, visit MonmouthCountyFair.com

The Chuck Lambert Band, pictured at the 2016 Monmouth County Fair in Freehold.

The fair runs from 4 to 11 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $8 per person, free for children 17 and younger.

Here are other things to do this weekend:

Italian Festival and Wine Tasting at Monmouth Park Racetrack

Bring your appetite to Monmouth Park Racetrack, which is hosting an Italian Festival and Wine Tasting from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Food vendors include The Little Sicilian, The Zeppole Guys, L'Acquario Seafood Italiano, pizza truck Culto Italiano, Your Sister's Balls meatball truck and Enzo's Pizza and Subs, among others. Wine will be provided by Opici Wines.

Chicken parm meatballs from Nicole Montecalvo's food truck, Your Sister's Balls, which will attend Monmouth Park Racetrack's Italian Festival and Wine Tasting this weekend.

Live music will play from noon to 4 p.m. both days, and free children's activities will be offered from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

General admission to the racetrack, 175 Oceanport Ave. in Oceanport, is $6. Food prices will vary by vendor. Wine-tasting tickets, which include five 2-ounce samples, cost $13 in advance, $15 at the festival.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit monmouthpark.com.

'Hallelujah' brings story of Leonard Cohen classic to Monmouth County

You know the song, now it's time to learn the story.

"Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song" is a new documentary from directors Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine exploring the work of the legendary Canadian singer/songwriter and poet, particularly his ubiquitous song that's been covered by the likes of Bob Dylan, Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainwright, John Cale and Regina Spektor.

The film is scheduled to open locally on Friday at the Basie Center Cinemas on White Street in Red Bank, and at the ShowRoom Cinemas on Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park.

For more information, visit sonyclassics.com/film/hallelujah.

Smokey Robinson in Red Bank

Smokey Robinson, shown performing last month in Milwaukee, plays the Count Basie Center for the Arts on Wednesday, July 27.

Bob Dylan called Smokey Robinson American's “greatest living poet.”

We second that emotion.

Robinson's hits include “Shop Around,” “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” “Ooo Baby Baby,” “The Tracks of My Tears,” “Tears of a Clown,” “Quiet Storm,” “Cruisin’,” “Being with You,” and “I Second That Emotion.” He also wrote “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” “My Girl,” “My Guy,” “Get Ready,” “You Beat Me to the Punch,” “Ain’t That Peculiar” and many more for his fellow Motown acts.

He's a legend and then some. Robinson plays at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 27, at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank.

The Basie is at 99 Monmouth St. Tickets start at $99, and more information is at thebasie.org.

Praise Fest and pier restoration efforts in Ocean Grove

American Christian rock band 7eventh Time Down will play at the Praise Fest in Ocean Grove.

The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association is hosting its "All In" Celebration and Praise Fest this Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m., on Ocean Pathway and the Boardwalk Pavilion.

This free, family-friendly festival will feature food, fun, games, music and worship opportunities.

OGCMA also will be unveiling plans to rebuild the iconic Ocean Grove Pier, which was taken out by superstorm Sandy, at 6 p.m. Saturday. The reconstruction will start on Sept. 15, just six weeks before the 10th anniversary of the storm.

The damaged Ocean Grove Pier at sunrise several days after Superstorm Sandy struck.

Following the blessing of the construction site, the fest will be capped off with a performance by Christian rock band 7eventh Time Down, followed by fireworks at 9 p.m.

More information is at oceangrove.org/celebrate.

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Broadway at Bell Works

As part of Axelrod Performing Arts Center's 2022 Summer Concert Series, the PAC will be sponsoring a performance by two-time Tony Award nominee Christine Andreas, Grammy Award-winning bandleader Vince Giordano and pianist Art Topilow for a night of Broadway music at 7 p.m. Sunday on the deck of Bell Works in Holmdel. Joining them on stage will be award-winning vocalist and saxophonist Danny Bacher.

Andras starred in "La Cage Aux Folles on Broadway," along with Kelsey Grammer, and she's also known for her role as Eliza Doolittle in the 20th anniversary production of "My Fair Lady." She was nominated for Tony Awards for her roles in "On Your Toes" and "Oklahoma."

Grammy winner and multi-instrumentalist Giordano has performed at Town Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Newport Jazz Festival for the past four decades. His recording projects include soundtracks for HBO’s "Boardwalk Empire," "Grey Gardens" and "Mildred Pierce." His band, the Nighthawks, has been seen in numerous films and television shows, including "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" and "The Irishman."

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While Dr. Topilow is board certified in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology, he is also a lifelong pianist, and frequently seen in Jersey Shore area concerts. Bacher is a master of the soprano sax, and has been awarded the Margaret Whiting Award, ranking him as one of the country's top male vocalists.

Tickets are $38 to $45. Cocktails will be available for purchase.

Bell Works is at 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel. More information is at 732-531-9106, ext. 14, or axelrodartscenter.com/broadway-jazz.

Women's Film Festival in Red Bank

Women in Media, an organization that advocates for women in the film industry, will host the Women's International Film Festival this weekend at the T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center. The fest will feature South African film "Coded Bias," followed by three short films: "A Stranger at the Funeral" from Peru, "Well Actually" from the U.S., and "A Wake for Mary Murphy" from Ireland.

Using the art of film and media to tell stories, Women In Media has celebrated the perseverance of women in film for 13 years.

Admission is free, and doors will open at 4 p.m. Screenings take place from 5 to 9 p.m. from Thursday through Saturday. Those interested must register by emailing shanel@tthomasfortunefoundation.org.

The cultural center is at 94 Drs James Parker Blvd., Red Bank. More information is available at shanel@tthomasfortunefoundation.org or tthomasfortuneculturalcenter.org.

Art Fair for the Sea in Neptune

Art for Sea, a nonprofit organization bringing together artists in support of ocean conservation, and Neptune Township present Art Fair for the Sea from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Volunteer Park on South Riverside Drive in Neptune (rain date is Sunday).

The fair will include live music, food vendors, youth art classes and 40 arts and craft vendors.

For more information, visit artforsea.org/art-fairs.

Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com.

Alex Biese has been writing about art, entertainment, culture and news on a local and national level for more than 15 years.

Sarah Griesemer and Chris Jordan contributed to this story.