Valentine’s Fun for Seniors: Local Events, Markets & More!

✨ It's Wednesday, New Jersey! ✨

❄️Weather: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. Snow likely tonight, accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Bundle up!

What's on tap today:

• Don’t miss the marathon!

• Submit your creation for the Creative Arts Festival.

• Valentine's events in New Jersey

Up first…

🏃‍♂️ Run for glory at the E. Murray Todd Half Marathon! 🏅

The Monmouth County Park System’s annual E. Murray Todd Half Marathon is set for Sunday, March 9! This 13.1-mile race winds through Lincroft, Holmdel, and Colts Neck, starting at 8:30 a.m. at Brookdale Community College.

🏆 Awards: Top 10 male & female finishers receive plaques, and all registered finishers get a medal!
💰 Registration: $40 online (by March 2) | $60 on race day (from 7 a.m.)
🙌 Volunteer: Help at water stations—contact 732-842-4000, ext. 4283 or [email protected].

For details, visit MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000. See you at the starting line! 🏃‍♀️🎉

🎨 Calling senior artists & crafters! Join the Creative Arts Festival 🎭

Are you a senior artist or fine crafter? Showcase your talent at the Creative Arts Festival hosted by the Monmouth County Park System! This juried art show & sale welcomes artists of all mediums.

🖌️ Apply Now! Submit images for consideration. Entry fee: $15
📅 Deadline: Monday, March 10
🎪 Booth Space: 10’x10’ for displaying and selling original work (indoor & outdoor options)

📍 Festival Details:
🗓️ Saturday, May 10 | 10 AM - 4 PM
📍 Thompson Park, 805 Newman Springs Rd, Lincroft
🎶 Enjoy live music, creative activities, fine art & craft vendors, plus delicious food!

Learn more at MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000, ext. 3343. Don’t miss this chance to share your creativity! ✨

💕 Celebrate love at the Jersey Shore! 💕

Love is in the air this Valentine’s season! Whether you're planning a romantic outing or a fun-filled day with friends, there are plenty of festive events to enjoy across New Jersey.

💍 Porta Valentine’s Pop-Up
February 2 | 12 PM – 4 PM
Discover handmade gifts, jewelry, and clothing from local artisans. Shop, eat, and enjoy a creative shopping experience!
Location: Porta, 911 Kingsley St, Asbury Park, NJ
Cost: Free

🌍 Asbury Park Valentine’s Bazaar
February 7 | 3 PM – 8 PM & February 8 | 12 PM – 5 PM
Shop handmade gifts, enjoy live music, delicious food, a Valentine’s photo wall, fresh flower bar, and more! Pet-friendly event.
Location: Grand Arcade of Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
Cost: Free

🍬 Downtown Red Bank Valentine’s Sweet Stroll
February 8 | 11 AM – 2 PM
Stroll through downtown Red Bank, shop for sweet treats, and enjoy Valentine’s specials!
Location: Downtown Red Bank, NJ
Cost: Free

🎁 Galentine’s Day at Pier Village
February 8 | 11 AM – 5 PM
Celebrate friendship with sweet treats, trendy shopping, and seaside views!
Location: Pier Village, Long Branch, NJ

🌟 Galentine’s Sip & Shop Vendor Market
February 8 | 12 PM – 4 PM
Enjoy tarot readings, shop handcrafted gifts, and sip on delicious drinks.
Location: Garden State Distillery, Toms River, NJ
Cost: Free

🌊 Annual Valentine’s Day Plunge
February 8 | 12 PM
Brave the icy Atlantic for a great cause—raising funds for ALS patients.
Location: Manasquan Main Beach, Manasquan, NJ

🏢 Bell Works Fresh Valentine’s Pop-Up
February 8 & 12
Shop handcrafted gifts from local artisans at Bell Works’ special Valentine’s markets.
Location: Bell Works, Holmdel, NJ
Cost: Free

🎬 Princeton Garden Theatre Valentine’s Day Screenings
February 12 – 14
Sing along to Grease (Feb 12), enjoy Pretty Woman (Feb 13), and watch Wild at Heart (Feb 14).
Location: Princeton Garden Theatre, Princeton, NJ
Cost: $13.75

💑 An Evening of Romance & Renewal
February 14 | 6 PM
Couples can renew their vows in a group ceremony at Absecon Lighthouse, followed by a champagne toast and a romantic dance.
Location: Absecon Lighthouse, Atlantic City, NJ
Cost: $40 minimum donation

🌸 Love in Bloom at Colonial Nursery
February 15 | 10 AM – 3 PM
Find unique gifts and handmade crafts in a blooming nursery setting.
Location: Colonial Nursery, Lincroft, NJ
Cost: Free

🌟 Old-Fashioned Valentine’s Day on the Farm
February 15 | 10 AM – 4 PM
Enjoy romantic sleigh rides, soup on the stove, and a children’s craft program.
Location: Howell Living Farms, Lambertville, NJ

🌟 Other Events This Weekend

• ✨ February 7: Trivia in the Winery (Princeton)

• 🎧 February 7: South Orange International Blues Festival

• 🎭 February 7 & 8: “Meet Hannah Till” Live Performance (Skillman)

• 🎵 February 8: All That Jazz with Marion Meadows (Rahway)

• 🎥 February 8: Mahoning Drive-In Roadshow – 35MM Double Feature (Rahway)

• 🌳 February 8 & 9: Maple Sugaring at the Environmental Education Center (Basking Ridge)

• 🥂 February 9: Winter FRESH Market (Ocean Grove)

• 🎶 February 9: Raritan Valley Symphonic Band Children’s Concert (Bridgewater)

🏞️ In the Parks This Weekend

• 🎭 Feb 7 | 5 PM – 7 PM: Optical Illusions Exhibit Reception – Thompson Park, Lincroft

• 🐿 Feb 8 | 3 PM – 4 PM: Nature Lecture on Grey Squirrels – Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen

• 🌊 Feb 9 | 11 AM – 12:30 PM: Winter Beach Walk – Fisherman’s Cove, Manasquan

• 🖊 Feb 9 | 1 PM – 3 PM: Historical Valentines Exhibit & Writing Workshop – Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

🎉 Happy 82nd Birthday, Dev Halpern! 🎂🎈

Wishing you a fantastic day filled with joy, love, and laughter! May this year bring you great health, happiness, and wonderful memories. Enjoy your special day in Farmingdale! 🎊🥳💐

A few other notable people that share a birthday today with Dev include Hank Aaron, baseball player, (1934–2021); Jennifer Jason Leigh, actress, 62, and Laura Linney, actress, 60.

Interesting reads

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• This year's 100 most romantic restaurants. 

• Mercedes' 1955 F1 car sells for record $53 million.  

Today’s caregiver lift🌈

Thanks for reading!

🎉 A special shoutout today to the amazing volunteers and park workers at Historic Walnford in Upper Freehold! 🏡✨ They work year-round to keep the area's history alive— and Valentine’s Day ❤️ is no exception! 👏🎊

Questions, feedback or news to share? Email us at [email protected].

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