Red Bank, NJ is a town for all seasons and has been voted the Hippest Town in New Jersey several times in the past. If you enjoy cultural, musical, Boutique shopping as well as fine dining then Red Bank is a great place to live or visit. Every Year Tim McLoone and his Holiday Express perform in downtown Red Bank for the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony as seen in this video from 2009.
During the Holiday Season you can have the opportunity to ride in a classic horse and carriage through the streets of downtown Red Bank.
Red Bank has a long history of ice boating on the frozen Navesink River during the winter season. Here is a video from a very snowy and abnormal winter in 2010 which saw over 5 feet of snow in the area.
Red Bank is host to the largest fireworks display in New Jersey. The event attracts well over 100,000 people to view the display and turns the downtown area into a pedestrian only zone. Here is a video of the fireworks display from 2008.
Although Asbury Park is generally considered the areas leading musical venue, Red Bank has its share of music as well. Many of the downtown bars and restaurants host local live entertainment. The Two River Theater was host to Bruce Springsteen’s VH-1 Story Tellers special which is also available on dvd. Countless famous musicians from across the globe have performed at the historic Count Basie Theater which is named after the musician Count Basie who was from Red Bank. Southside Johnny usually performs a New Years Eve concert at the venue and will be welcoming in 2011 for the upcoming New Year. This is a video from last years Christmas Show with Southside Johnny and Jon Bon Jovi performing at the Count Basie Theater.
Brian Fallon of the band Gaslight Anthem was born and raised in Red Bank. Here they perform with Bruce Springsteen in London.
After this performance Brian joined Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band for the concert dvd London Calling live in Hyde Park and sang the song “No Surrender”
Kevin Smith owns a store in downtown Red Bank known as Jay & Silent Bob’s Secret Stash. He has filmed several of his movies in the area including most of the movie Chasing Amy. You can catch him every once in a while at his store or performing at the Count Basie Theater.
Since the birth of our nation, Monmouth County has been home to some of the most well-known people of the last several centuries. One of the earliest well-known figures was Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley known as “Molly Pitcher” who helped George Washington’s soldiers at the Battle of Monmouth in Freehold, NJ on June 28, 1778.
Notable authors Stephen Crane and Mary Higgins Clark spent time at the Jersey Shore as well. Stephen Crane (1871-1900) is known for his book “The Red Badge of Courage” . He spent part of his short life with his family in Asbury Park, NJ. Mary Higgins Clark has a summer home in Spring Lake, NJ. She has written 42 best-selling suspense novels which have sold over 80 million copies. She is also an owner of the NBA NJ Nets.
In addition to professional sports and writing, Monmouth County, NJ also has many residents involved in television and movies. News and Sports reporters include NBC News Anchor Brian Williams who grew up in Middletown, NJ.
Movie creators and stars have also either moved to or grown up in Monmouth County. Actor Jack Nicholson graduated from Manasquan High School. Film Maker Kevin Smith grew up in Highlands, NJ and graduated from Henry Hudson High School. His film, Clerks, was filmed entirely in the Middletown and Highlands area. Another of his movies, Chasing Amy, was primarily filmed in Red Bank, Rumson, and Asbury Park, NJ. Here is a video of Kevin protesting his movie Dogma at the Monmouth Mall in Eatontown, NJ.
Monmouth Park Race Track in Oceanport, NJ has been the backdrop of many films including 2010’s Jennifer Aniston movie The Bounty Hunter.
But what the Monmouth County area is best known for is the great musicians that either were raised here or moved here. Those that grew up here include Bruce Springsteen (Freehold) and the East Street Band (Max Weinberg, Middletown, NJ; Steve Van Zandt, Middletown, NJ; Gary Tallent Long Branch, NJ; Clarence Clemmons, Sea Bright,NJ Patti Scialfa from Deal, NJ). Southside Johnny is from Ocean Grove, NJ and Count Basie was from Red Bank, NJ. The following video features Bruce Springsteen, Steve Van Zandt and Southside Johnny along with members of Bon Jovi, The Asbury Jukes and E Street Band.
I am sure we have left off some other successful celebrities from our area as well. Whether you like history, sports, literature, movies, or television you are bound to discover what the rich and famous already have, which is that Monmouth County, NJ is a Great place to call home. If you are interested in relocating to this great area, please contact Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Preferred Properties at 732-224-9200 or visit us on the web at www.bhgmoves.com
TheMonmouth County area has always been blessed by the generosity of the people who have the ability to give back to their community like those who participated in this Holiday Concert for Charity (Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny, Nicole Atkins and many other talented musicians from the area that call Monmouth County home). We are also fortunate to have great local venues like the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ featured in this concert and currently under-going a major renovation. Although we have many successful and wealthy people in our area, we also have families that need assistance, especially during the holiday season. During this recent recession, many more families are in need of help from their neighbors. Even if you are not in a position to assist financially, there are always charities and non-profit organizations seeking people willing to donate their time to help others. In Red Bank, NJ there is a great organization known as Lunch Break which provides meals daily to the less fortunate. There is also an organization known as The Food Bank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties based in Neptune, NJ that provides meals as well. At Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Preferred Properties we are participating in the Toys for Tots program with United States Marine Corps Reserve.
You may drop off an unwrapped toy at our office located at 105 East River Road in Rumson, NJ which will be delivered to a needy family by the United States Marines. Everyone from Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Preferred Properties wishes you a VeryHappyHoliday Season and a Great 2011. Here is a list of Holiday activities in Monmouth County.