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Community Special Events
Movie in the Park
Date: July 22, 2021 | 8:15pm (sunset)Day: Thursday
Location: Croydon Hall, Lawn
Free!
Join us while we watch this great family film in the park! Make sure to pack your chairs and blankets. Movie snacks are welcome!
Featured Movie: Tom and Jerry (2021-PG)
A legendary rivalry reemerges when Jerry moves into New York City's finest hotel on the eve of the wedding of the century, forcing the desperate event planner to hire Tom to get rid of him. As mayhem ensues, the escalating cat-and-mouse battle soon threatens to destroy her career, the wedding, and possibly the hotel itself.
Murray Farmhouse Open House
Date: August 3, 2021 | 5:00pm - 7:00pmDay: Tuesday
Location: Murray Farmhouse, Poricy Park (345 Oak Hill Road)
Free!
Visit local Middletown history! The Joseph Murray Farmhouse (c. 1770) will be open this summer evening for public visitors to see inside. An interpretor will be on site to answer questions and lead tours. No reservations needed.
Movie in the Park
Date: August 26, 2021 | 7:30pm (sunset)Day: Thursday
Location: Middletown Arts Center, Lawn
Free!
Join us while we watch this great family film in the park! Make sure to pack your chairs and blankets. Movie snacks are welcome!
Space is limited. Walk-ups are not permitted.
Featured Movie: Raya and the Last Dragon (PG)
Kumandra is a place where humans and dragons peacefully coexist. When sinister monsters called the Druun threaten the community, however, the dragons readily make a sacrifice to save the human race. Hundreds of years later, the same threat returns. It is up to Raya, a lone warrior, to stop them once and for all. She tracks down the last dragon alive. But as she embarks on her journey, she realizes that it will take more than a dragon and its magic to save her world.
9/11 Memorial
Middletown Arts Center- World Trade Center Memorial Gardens, Middletown, NJ
Free!
The 9/11 Memorial pays tribute to the 37 Middletown friends and neighbors we lost in the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center Attack. More information to follow about this year's 20th memorial. Parking will be available at the Middletown Train Station. Police will be directing traffic. Tribute will be held rain or shine.
Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz
Date: Wednesday, September 15th, 2021 | 4:00pm-5:30pm
Location: Poricy Park Nature Center (345 Oak Hill Road, Red Bank)
Free!
In celebration of pollinators, attend this event to create a snapshot of the variety of local wildlife. Work alongside park staff to advance the health of local pollinators, which are essential to our ecosystem. Participants will use an app called iNaturalist to take pictures of plants, insects and animals; see what wildlife is present on this day; and contribute to a scientific inventory of pollinator species. Program includes an introduction and orientation, then everyone will split into groups to investigate the park for pollinators!
All participants will need to bring a smartphone(s) with the app iNaturalist installed and a log in already created. Please arrive 10 minutes early if you need assistance with setting up your phone and/or account.
Sign up at www.middletownnj.org/signup
Middletown Month
November 2020Virtual Business Showcase - YouTube Channel
We will be moving full force into the digital world via our Virtual Business Showcase YouTube Channel where we will be hosting live musical entertainment as well as shows for kids and families throughout the month.
After-hours Pre-Sale: October 30th from 4pm - 6:30pm at Poricy Park.
Regular sale begins Monday 11/2, normal office hours
(Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm.)
Middletown Month Skills Challenges
November 2 - 25 | time varies by locationRegister Here (Choose the Middletown Day 2020 season)
Fee: $5 (R) | $6 (NR) per entry into the challenge
Please consider donating a canned good or unwrapped toy to support your fellow residents this Holiday season.
This November we're coming to a park near you! We challenge YOU to come out and test your skills in baseball, basketball,
soccer, and football. Social distancing is required - upon
registration you will choose your event time slot.
Awards will be given to the winners in each age division: 6-7, 8-10, 11-13, 14-17, and Adult.
Skills Include: Pitch, Hit, & Run | Dribble, Dish, & Swish | Soccer Shootout | Punt, Pass, & Kick
Veteran's Day Parade
Sunday, November 8 | 1:00pmParade steps off from Bayview Elementary School at 1:00pm. Parade route travels to the VFW Post 2179 located at 1 Veterans Lane, Port Monmouth. Join the crowd at the Grand Stand in Campbell's Junction.
All residents and community members are cordially invited to have lunch with veterans at the VFW Post 2179 upon the parade's conclusion. Please join us and "Thank a Veteran".
LIVE - Get Creative with Miss Danielle
November 30—December 4 | 3:15pm—4:00pmRegister Here
Fee: $20 (R) | $24 (NR) per family
Join Miss Danielle for 5 sessions of crafting creations! Each day you’ll log in to virtually meet and start a new piece from materials easily found around the house. Topics include: Wonderful World of Watercolors, Felt Stuffed Animals, Origami Time, Pipe Cleaner Creations, Christmas Lego Building.
Live Christmas Tree Lighting & Kahoot! Trivia
Join us LIVE through Webex
FREE
Don't miss out on this LIVE stream of our Christmas Tree Lighting, followed by a festive family game of Kahoot! Trivia with Santa, Mrs. Claus & friends!
Meeting Link: https://middletownnj.webex.com/middletownnj/onstage/g.php?MTID=ed6468a60e55af77d3ff3749f85598816
Event Number: 179 058 3092
Event Password: Tree2020
Guided Hikes
Location: Poricy Park
Fee: $5 (R) | $6 (NR) per child per hike
Register Here
Get out and stretch your legs! Great for all ages. Each week a new topic will be discussed along the trails at Poricy Park.
Pre-registration is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome! All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Topics:
Dec 9/10—Deer & Reindeer (Track Identification)
Dec 16/17—Pine Cones & Evergreen Trees
Join us LIVE through Webex
FREE
Don't miss out on this LIVE stream of our Menorah Lighting, followed by a festive family game of Kahoot! Trivia.
Meeting Link: https://middletownnj.webex.com/middletownnj/j.php?MTID=m5488f30ef8ed1a64985c5bd66d7ad1d7
Event Number: 179 507 4814
Event Password: Menorah2020
Virtual Story Time with Santa
December 13 or 20 | 7:00pmRegister Here
Fee: $5 (R) | $6 (NR) per family
Join Santa Claus and his Elves for a fun light-hearted night sharing the spirit of family and friends together! Join us virtually to enjoy Christmas music, participate in a festive family drawing session with the Doodle Dude, and listen to Santa read a Christmas story and chat with those in attendance! Limited spaces available. Pre-registration required.
Science Clubs
(snow makeup days will be Fridays of same week, if necessary)
Location: Poricy Park—Nature Center
Ages: Grades 2—5
Fee: $60.00 Register Here
Topic:
STEM Science Experiments - Interested in how things work? Like building and creating contraptions? Each week of this program explores a different topic related to STEM. We’ll take on different design challenges, test our results, and have a lot of fun along the way!
Guided Hikes
Dates: January 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 or 28, 2021 | 4:00pm - 4:30pmDay: Wednesdays or Thursdays
Location: Poricy Park
Fee: $5 (R) | $6 (NR) per child per hike
Register Here
Get out and stretch your legs! Great for all ages. Each week a new topic will be discussed along the trails at Poricy Park.
Pre-registration is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome! All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Topics:
Jan. 6th/7th: Hibernation Strategies
Jan. 13th/14th: Wind
Jan. 20th/21st: Letters in Branches
Jan. 27th/28th: Owls
Science Clubs
Day: Tuesdays (4-week session)
(snow makeup days will be Fridays of same week, if necessary)
Location: Poricy Park—Nature Center
Ages: Grades 2—5
Fee: $60.00
Register Here
Topic:
Geology in Action - Rocks can tell us about the past and about the future. This session covers rocks, minerals, erosion, fossils, and much more!
Guided Hikes
Dates: February 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 or 18, 2021 | 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Day: Wednesday or Thursday
Location: Poricy Park
Fee: $5 (R) | $6 (NR) per child per hike
Register Here
Get out and stretch your legs! Great for all ages. Each week a new topic will be discussed along the trails at Poricy Park. Pre-registration is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome! All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Topics:
Feb. 3rd/4th: Groundhog Day
Feb. 10th/11th: Tapping Maple Trees
Feb. 17th/18th: Collecting Maple Syrup
LIVE Kahoot Trivia Game - Super Bowl
Date: February 7, 2021 | 3:00PMDay: Sunday
Location: Virtually anywhere!
Fee: Free!
Let's tailgate together, Middletown! Join in our live Kahoot Trivia Game as you start your Super Bowl festivities. Free and fun for the whole family!
This Kahoot game is geared towards the Super Bowl, but not to worry...you don't need to be a football fanatic to play! The Super Bowl is much more than just football...think commercials, music, and food too!
To play, you’ll need one screen to watch the event and see the questions and answers. Every participant will need their own “signaling device” (any smartphone, tablet, or additional computer). So grab your phones, gather around the dinner table, and see who in your family is a trivia master! Questions range in difficulty, so everyone has a chance to win.
A prize will be awarded to the top trivia master! Prizes will be available for pick-up only at Poricy Park - Nature Center during normal business hours.
Meeting link: https://middletownnj.webex.com/middletownnj/j.php?MTID=m7f6d0ea093e7078a4b33c4c72c4989ce
Meeting number: 179 871 4156
Password: football
Maple Sugaring for Scouts
Date: February 20, 2021 (pick your 1 hour session time on registration)Day: Saturday
Location: Poricy Park—Nature Center
Fee: $90.00 (R) | $108.00 (NR) per group of 15
Register Here
With cold nights and warm days, the later winter is the perfect time of year for maple sap in New Jersey. Join us to learn why you can collect sap only during this time, how to identify maples and other trees in the winter, and how boiling increases solution concentrations to create syrup! One hour session includes hike, experiment, and checking on tapped trees. Maximum of 15 scouts and up to 5 adults.
Science Clubs
Day: Tuesdays (4-week session)
(snow makeup days will be Fridays of same week, if necessary)
Location: Poricy Park—Nature Center
Ages: Grades 2—5
Fee: $60.00
Register Here
Topic:
Guided Hikes
Dates: March 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31, 2021 | 4:00pm - 4:30pmDay: Wednesday or Thursday
Location: Poricy Park
Fee: $5 (R) | $6 (NR) per child per hike
Register Here
Get out and stretch your legs! Great for all ages. Each week a new topic will be discussed along the trails at Poricy Park. Pre-registration is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome! All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Topics:
Mar. 10th/11th: Robins
Mar. 17th/18th: Leprechaun Hunt
Mar. 24th/25th: Skunk Cabbage
Mar. 31st/Apr. 1st: Tricks in Nature
Maple Sugaring for Scouts
Date: March 6, 2021 (pick your 1 hour session time on registration)Day: Saturday
Location: Poricy Park—Nature Center
Fee: $90.00 (R) | $108.00 (NR) per group of 15
Register Here
With cold nights and warm days, the later winter is the perfect time of year for maple sap in New Jersey. Join us to learn why you can collect sap only during this time, how to identify maples and other trees in the winter, and how boiling increases solution concentrations to create syrup! One hour session includes hike, experiment, and checking on tapped trees. Maximum of 15 scouts and up to 5 adults.
Easter Egg "Hunt"
Date: March 27—April 1, 2021
Day: Saturday - Thursday
Location: Poricy Park
Free!
No baskets are needed for this hunt! Starting March 27th, take part in our Easter themed Scavenger Hunt by downloading the Scavify app. Complete the required missions through April 1st for an opportunity to receive a bag full of goodies from the Easter Bunny.
Catch the bunny on location at Poricy Park Monday,
March 29th —Thursday, April 1st from 10am—12pm for a photo opportunity in the Pavilion.
Spring Observation Wonder Walks
Date: April 6, 20 (May 4, 18, June 1, & 15) | 9:00AM - 10:00AMDay: Tuesday
Age: Adults, 18+
Location: Meet at Poricy Park, Nature Center - Pavilion
Fee: 6 weeks: $25.00 (R) | $30.00 (NR) per adult
or Drop-in: $5.00 (R) | $6.00 (NR) per adult
Pre-Registration Required
Spring is a time of change as nature reawakens from the cold dormancy of winter. Join us at Poricy Park for this program of walking, noticing, and wondering. Discover how nature journaling can improve your
observational skills. Each session will include one-hour walks at an easy pace and 30 minutes of optional journaling/sharing time. Whether you are interested in wildflowers, pollinators, birding, or weather, there’s plenty to see in the spring!
This program is for adults only, space is limited. Six-week program price includes a blank journal.
Fossil Hunt
Date: April 14, 2021 | 4:00PM - 5:00PM or April 25, 2021 | 11:00AM - 12:00PM
Day: Wednesday or Sunday
Age: ages 5+
Location: Meet at Poricy Park, Fossil Beds
Fee: $5.00 (R) | $6.00 (NR) per person
Pre-Registration Required
Calling all amateur paleontologists! Come dig up some Middletown history at the Poricy Brook Fossil Beds. Expect to find marine fossils from the Cretaceous period, 65-72 million years ago. Meet directly at the Poricy Park Fossil Beds for a short orientation before getting right into the fossil beds. An experienced guide will provide you with a trowel and sifter, as well as help you identify your treasures.
Please wear rubber boots or old sneakers, as your feet will get wet. Sandals, flip-flops, and other slip-on footwear are
prohibited.
Space is limited. Pre-registration is required.
Date: April 19 - 23, 2021 | 4:30PM - 6:00PM
Day: Monday - Wednesday
Age: Grades 6 - 12
Attend via Zoom
Fee: $89.00 (R) | $107.00 (NR) per participant
Pre-Registration Required
This is a virtual program about STEM principles relating to forensics and solving crime scenes. The presentation, labs and exercises will cover: making a magnifying glass, taking and identifying
fingerprints, creating and examining blood splatter patterns,
identifying an unknown powder, chromatography, time-of-death
exercises, casting footprints, and missing persons.
Each registrant will get a complete CSI Lab Kit to conduct
experiments. Lab Kits will be available for pickup the week before the class begins at Poricy Park Nature Center (345 Oak Hill Road).
This class is conducted by National CSI Camp. Each class will be taught by current or former law enforcement detectives. More
information is available at their website: nationalcsicamp.org.
Cory D Sams
Date: April 21, 2021 | 7:00PM
Day: Wednesday
Age: Fun for the whole family!
Attend via Webex
Fee: $10 per family, limited space available.
Pre-Registration Required
Join Corey Samuels from the Hit TV Show "LEGO MASTERS" & the Holiday special "Buddy vs Christmas" in a fun family Lego building challenge! He has been teaching students for over 20 years as a Camp Counselor to a LEGO Engineer Instructor. And NOW.... Corey is coming LIVE to your living room!
Pre-registration is required, one screen per household. Only register the adult on the Community Pass Account. Virtual link will be emailed closer to the event date.
Pond Netting
Meet at Poricy Park Nature Center—Pavilion
$5.00 (R) | $6.00 (NR) per child
Space is limited. Pre-Registration Required
Date: April 23, 2021 | 10:00AM - 11:00AM
Day: Friday
Grade: Pre-K
Date: April 28, 2021 | 4:00PM - 5:00PM
Day: Wednesday
Grade: K-5
Pre-K morning sessions will have some critters pre-fished for exploration, an easy netting opportunity, a visit from our resident tortoise Chaser, and a story.
Elementary afternoon sessions will include water testing, netting and identification, and a take-home craft.
Mother-Son Corn Hole Tournament
Date: April 30, 2021 | 4:30pmDay: Friday
Location: Croydon Hall Turf Field
Age: Grades K— 5
Fee: $40.00 per pair $15.00 each additional child (R)
$48.00 per pair $18.00 each additional child (NR)
Register Here
Team up with mom for an exciting afternoon of corn hole! Double elimination format guarantees each team at least two games. A custom corn hole set will be awarded to the top mother-son team in each grade! This registration includes a boxed dinner. Plan for an afternoon/evening outside, however if rain occurs, the event will be moved indoors.
Mario Kart Tournament
Date: May 1 - 8, 2021 | Multiple timeslots to choose fromLocation: From the comfort of your home
Fee: FREE!
Pre-Registration Required
Rev up your B Dasher and get ready for the 2021 Mario Kart Tournament, hosted by Middletown Recreation!
Registered players will compete in the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe game on Nintendo Switch. Players will join the tournament from their home based on their chosen timeslot and compete for the top spot. Please note, players must have the Nintendo Switch console and Mario Kart game in order to play. Middletown Recreation will not be providing consoles or game cards to participate. Top competitors (ages six to adult) in each age bracket will receive a prize. Families with multiple competitors will need to register separately, sign up for separate time-slots, and will need to have their own unique Nintendo Account ID.
Free for Middletown Residents. Reserve your spot in the tournament: www.middletownnj.org/signup
Joseph Murray Open House
Date: May 1, 2021 | 12:00PM - 3:00PM
Location: Murray Farmhouse, Poricy Park
Fee: FREE!
Visit local Middletown history! One day a year, the Joseph Murray Farmhouse (c. 1770) is open for public visitors to see inside. An interpreter will be on site to answer questions and give demonstrations. Tours inside the buildings will be self-guided, one group permitted inside at a time. No reservations needed. Rain date: May 2nd.
Spring Observation Wonder Walks
Date: May 4 & 18, 2021 | 9:00AM - 10:00AM
Day: Tuesday
Age: Adults, 18+
Location: Meet at Poricy Park, Nature Center - Pavilion
Fee: Drop-in: $5.00 (R) | $6.00 (NR) per adult
Pre-Registration Required
Spring is a time of change as nature reawakens from the cold dormancy of winter. Join us at Poricy Park for this program of walking, noticing, and wondering. Discover how nature journaling can improve your
observational skills. Each session will include one-hour walks at an easy pace and 30 minutes of optional journaling/sharing time. Whether you are interested in wildflowers, pollinators, birding, or weather, there’s plenty to see in the spring!
This program is for adults only, space is limited.
Fossil Hunt
Date: May 12, 2021 | 4:00PM - 5:00PM orMay 23, 2021 | 11:00AM - 12:00PM
Day: Wednesday or Sunday
Age: ages 5+
Location: Meet at Poricy Park, Fossil Beds
Fee: $5.00 (R) | $6.00 (NR) per person
Pre-Registration Required
Calling all amateur paleontologists! Come dig up some Middletown history at the Poricy Brook Fossil Beds. Expect to find marine fossils from the Cretaceous period, 65-72 million years ago. Meet directly at the Poricy Park Fossil Beds for a short orientation before getting right into the fossil beds. An experienced guide will provide you with a trowel and sifter, as well as help you identify your treasures.
Please wear rubber boots or old sneakers, as your feet will get wet. Sandals, flip-flops, and other slip-on footwear are
prohibited.
Space is limited. Pre-registration is required.
Town Wide Garage Sale
Date: May 15 & 16, 2021 | 8:30am—4:00pmDay: Saturday & Sunday
Location: Middletown Township
Fee: $8.00
Pre-Registration Required
Join us for a Town Wide Garage sale! By registering for this event, you'll be able to enter your featured items to our database. Price includes a lawn sign and your items featured on a mobile friendly webpage to advertise your sale. Sellers have the option to participate in Saturday, Sunday or both dates. In case of poor weather, you can decide whether or not to continue with your sale.
Please note, COVID restrictions will apply based on the guidance at that time.
After the event if you wish to donate any items that did not sell, please contact the United War Veterans Council 1-888-821-8982.
Pond Netting
Meet at Poricy Park Nature Center—Pavilion
$5.00 (R) | $6.00 (NR) per child
Space is limited. Pre-Registration Required
Date: May 21, 2021 | 10:00AM—11:00AM
Date: Friday
Grade: Pre-K
Date: May 26, 2021 | 4:00PM - 5:00PM
Day: Wednesday
Grade: K
Find what's at the bottom of the Murray Pond. Look for frogs, turtles, and snakes. Use our nets to catch tadpoles, fish, insect larvae, snails, and other critters. Dress to get muddy!
Pre-K morning sessions will have some critters pre-fished for exploration, an easy netting opportunity, a visit from our resident tortoise Chaser, and a story.
Elementary afternoon sessions will include water testing, netting and identification, and a take-home craft.
Daddy-Daughter Day
Date: June 4, 2021 | 6:00pm - 7:30pm Day: Friday
Location: Poricy Park—Nature Center Lawn
Age: Grades K—5
Fee: $50.00 per pair $20.00 each additional child (R)
$60.00 per pair $24.00 each additional child (NR)
Register Here
Get ready for a night of fun and create a cherished memory that will last a lifetime. Enjoy an evening of entertainment and dinner for daughters and their fathers. Couples will receive a souvenir photo and special keepsakes.
Each couple will be seated in their own socially distant circle. You may choose your own circle based on the seating chart provided during registration. Please dress appropriately for a picnic and evening outside in the park.
Movie in the Park
Date: June 24, 2021 | 8:30pm (sunset)Day: Thursday
Location: Poricy Park, Nature Center - Lawn
Free!
Join us while we watch this great family film in the park! Make sure to pack your chairs and blankets. Movie snacks are welcome!
Featured Movie: The War with Grandpa (PG)
Sixth-grader Peter (Oakes Fegley) is pretty much your average kid—he likes gaming, hanging with his friends and his beloved pair of Air Jordans. But when his recently widowed grandfather Ed (Robert De Niro) moves in with Peter’s family, the boy is forced to give up his most prized possession of all, his bedroom. Unwilling to let such an injustice stand, Peter devises a series of increasingly elaborate pranks to drive out the interloper, but Grandpa Ed won’t go without a fight. Soon, the friendly combatants are engaged in an all-out war with side-splitting consequences.