Pier Village in Long Branch celebrates the season Saturday with Spring Celebration, a day of activities that includes a meet and greet with the Easter Bunny. There also will be live music and games, face painting, a bubble show, and a makers and artisan market. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On the Carousel stage, kids can meet the Easter Bunny from noon to 2 p.m.; DJ Jojo provides music and games from noon to 3 p.m.; face painting takes place from noon to 3 p.m.; and a bubble show runs from 2 to 3 p.m. The makers and artisan market takes place on the boardwalk from noon to 3 p.m. Miniature golf is available from noon to 4 p.m. at Pier Putt. There will also be carousel rides, a scavenger hunt and more. Complete details are at
piervillage.com/event/spring-celebration . Some events require registration. Note that in the event of inclement weather, the Spring Celebration will be canceled.
Go : Pier Village Spring Celebration, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Pier Village, 50 Chelsea Ave.,Long Branch;
piervillage.com/event/spring-celebration . Here are more things to this weekend at the Shore and beyond, including a student art exhibition on LBI, and a night of Disney songs in Middletown.
'Spring Fling' pet adoption in Jackson
Welcome spring with wagging tails and furry friends at the Spring Fling pet adoption event Saturday at the Northern Ocean County Animal Facility in Jackson. The event, full of family fun activities, runs from 1 to 4 p.m. Highlights include a doggy costume parade, a doggy Easter Egg hunt — and photos with the Easter Bunny. “The Spring Fling is ... a fun opportunity to showcase all the great cats and dogs we have available for adoption," said Daniel Regenye, Ocean County Health Department Public Health Officer, in a release. "If you’re serious about adopting a new pet for yourself or the family, we urge you to adopt and not shop. There are so many homeless pets who need a second chance at a forever home.” All the cats and dogs available for adoption are spayed/neutered, microchipped and receive age-appropriate vaccines.
Go : Spring Fling pet adoption, 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Northern Ocean County Animal Facility, 615 Freemont Ave., Jackson; 732-657-8086,
ochd.org .
A Soup Crawl for a cause
Soup fans, this one's for you. The Soup Crawl, which raises funds for people in need, takes place Saturday in Asbury Park. Participants will visit three city restaurants — Kim Marie's Eat n' Drink Away, Wonder Bar and Asbury Ale House — to try their soups. The event, founded in 2022, benefits Project PAUL (Poor, Alienated, Unemployed, Lonely), a Keansburg-based nonprofit organization. Since its inception, the Soup Crawl has raised more than $6,500 for the group, according to a news release. There is no charge to participate, but donations are welcome.
Help Lunch Break help others for Easter
Lunch Break's Ham and Food Drive for Easter continues through Friday, April 18. Donate hams and pre-bagged food: two cans of pineapple slices, two jars of applesauce, two cans of corn, two cans of carrots, 2-pound bag of rice, a box of scalloped potatoes and a bag of Masa Harina. Drop-off times are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, at 121 Drs. James Parker Blvd. in Red Bank. The donations door is located in the back of the building.
Register here to participate in the drive.
Go : Lunch Break, 121 Drs. James Parker Blvd., Red Bank; 732-747-8577,
lunchbreak.org .
Vance Gilbert in Toms River
The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts at Ocean County College continues its spring season with singer-songwriter Vance Gilbert at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Prima Studio Theatre (Building #12). Tickets are $34. With a career spanning over three decades, Gilbert is considered an essential part of the folk and Americana music scene. He first gained national attention in 1992, when Shawn Colvin invited him on her Fat City tour, where he wowed audiences with what the Fort Worth Star-Telegram called “the voice of an angel, the wit of a devil, and the guitar playing of a god.” Since then, Gilbert has recorded 14 albums, and opened for George Carlin, Arlo Guthrie, Anita Baker and Southside Johnny. Most recently, he’s been the opener of choice for actor/comedian Paul Reiser’s standup shows. He also hosts the weekly Monday Night Acoustic Pajama Party on YouTube, a live concert series that began during the pandemic and raises thousands for charitable causes.
Go : Vance Gilbert, 7 p.m. Saturday, Prima Studio Theatre (Building #12), Ocean County College, 1 College Drive, Toms River, $34; 732-255-0500,
grunincenter.org .
Disney songs in Middletown
The Middletown Arts Center presents "Tale as Old as Time: A Night of Disney Songs through the Ages," presented by the MAC Players, at 7 p.m. Friday. Featuring songs from "Shrek" to "Into the Woods," the performance runs approximately one hour without intermission. Admission is free. The evening is led by director Victoria Leigh Keiser, with musical director Patrick Comey.
Go : "Tale as Old as Time: A Night of Disney Songs through the Ages," 7 p.m. Friday, Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church St., free; 732-706-4100,
middletownarts.org .
'Frida Kahlo' in Middletown
The documentary "Frida Kahlo" by Exhibition on Screen will be shown at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Middletown Arts Center. Take a journey through the life of a true global icon, discover her art, and uncover the truth behind her often turbulent life. Using letters Kahlo wrote as a guide, the film reveals her deepest emotions and unlocks the secrets and symbolism contained within her art. Tickets are $15, $10 for MAC Members.
Go : "Frida Kahlo," 2 p.m. Sunday, Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church St., $15; 732-706-4100,
middletownarts.org .
Student art exhibition on LBI
The Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences is hosting Southern Regional School District's Student Art Exhibition through Sunday, April 27. LBIF is open on weekends during the exhibition from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Go : Student Art Exhibition, through Sunday, April 27, LBIF, 120 Long Beach Blvd., Loveladies; 609-494-1241,
lbifoundation.org .
NJ Symphony and 'Star Wars'
Did you miss the New Jersey Symphony's presentation of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert" on April 9 at the Basie in Red Bank? If so, you have a few more chances to hear John Williams' Grammy Award-winning score performed live to the film. The concert will be led by conductor Constantine Kitsopoulos at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown; 8 p.m. Saturday at New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark; and 3 p.m. Sunday at the State Theatre in New Brunswick.
Go : New Jersey Symphony presents "Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert," 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, 8 p.m. Saturday at New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, 3 p.m. Sunday at the State Theatre in New Brunswick;
njsymphony.org/events .
Punk Rock Flea Market in Trenton
One of the East Coast’s top underground shopping events returns this weekend as the New Jersey Punk Rock Flea Market (formerly known as the Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market) launches into its 13th year with the Spring Fling edition on Saturday and Sunday at the Cure Insurance Arena in Trenton. For a little chaotic charm, visitors can take photos with the Crummy Easter Bunny for $5. Proceeds benefit Punk Rock Saves Lives, a nonprofit that travels the country to alternative events, registering people for the bone marrow donor registry, and promoting life-saving community outreach. The market runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Tickets are $25.
Go : New Jersey Punk Rock Flea Market, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Cure Insurance Arena, 81 Hamilton Ave., Trenton, $25;
punkmarket.com .
Sarah Griesemer contributed to this story. Have an event coming up? Tell us about it. Email Bill Canacci at [email protected].
