2026 Irish Celebration and Soda Bread Contest
2026-03-19 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Taylor Pavilion, 500 Ocean Ave., Belmar, NJ, 07719, United States
Join Us for the Celebration!
***PLEASE NOTE: As of now the Standard White Soda bread category has reached its maximum number of contestants and is now CLOSED to further contestants. The Brown Bread Category is still OPEN for new contestants to enter.
We’re thrilled to invite you to our event on Thursday, March 19, 2025, at 6 PM at the Taylor Pavilion, located at 500 Ocean Ave., Belmar, NJ.
Get ready for an exciting evening featuring a fantastic Irish Step-Dancing performance by the D’Arcy School of Irish Dance from Wall, NJ, along with some light refreshments. And of course, we’re bringing back the beloved Annual Soda Bread Contest!
This year, we’re continuing our DUAL Contest: one for Traditional Irish Soda Bread and another for Brown Bread. Each contest will have a max of 20 entrants and its own panel of judges.
Don’t forget, all contestants must register on our website to enter. The registration deadline is Friday, March 13, 2025, at 5 PM.
You can check out the rules and find registration links on our website. We’ve also attached a digital copy of the flyer for your convenience.
Since seating is limited, registration to attend is required. If you register, you’ll receive QR-coded e-tickets to show when you arrive at the event.
And remember, entry to both the contest and the event is completely FREE and OPEN to everyone!
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at lpulido@belmar.com or call (732) 681-0775.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Living History: Molly Pitcher
2026-04-02 18:00 - 19:00 | Taylor Pavilion, 500 Ocean Ave., Belmar, NJ, 07719, United States
Molly Pitcher: War Hero and Honorary Sergeant
Portrayed by Kim Hanley
Step back in time to meet Mary Ludwig Hays, better known as “Molly Pitcher,” one of America’s first female military heroes. Kim Hanley brings to life this extraordinary Revolutionary War figure who transcended traditional gender roles on the battlefield.
Originally accompanying her husband to war, Mary took on the vital role of water carrier, bringing life-saving refreshment to soldiers and cooling overheated cannons during battle. But at the pivotal Battle of Monmouth in 1778, when her husband fell wounded at his artillery post, Mary did the unthinkable—she stepped forward to take his place, operating the cannon with skill throughout the fierce fighting.
This remarkable act of courage earned her the personal commendation of General George Washington himself, who granted her the honorary rank of Sergeant. Eyewitness accounts describe her remarkable composure even when enemy fire tore through her petticoat!
Join us for this interactive historical presentation perfect for grade schoolers. Young visitors will participate in hands-on activities including learning drum cadences, loading a mock “cannon” with period household items, and experiencing some of the lighter moments of camp life through dancing and singing.

Thursday, April 2nd, 2026 @ 6 pm
Taylor Pavilion, 500 Ocean Ave. N, Belmar

FREE & OPEN to the public
Seating limited, registration required

Qigong and Tai Chi Demo
2026-04-16 18:00 - 20:00 | Taylor Pavilion, 500 Ocean Ave., Belmar, NJ, 07719, United States
Discover the power of Tai Chi and Qigong—ancient Chinese practices that cultivate vital energy (Qi). Join us for an engaging evening of history, live demonstrations, and guided participation in this peaceful, moving internal martial art. Come experience it for yourself.

📅 Thursday, April 16, 2026
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Taylor Pavilion, 500 Ocean Ave, Belmar, NJ
Free and open to the public!

Living History: Langston Hughes
2026-04-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Taylor Pavilion, 500 Ocean Ave., Belmar, NJ, 07719, United States
Langston Hughes: Voice of the Harlem Renaissance
Portrayed by Keith Henley
Meet one of America’s most influential poets as Keith Henley brings Langston Hughes to life. Experience the voice that captured the essence of Black America during the Harlem Renaissance.
Hughes transformed American literature by infusing his poetry with jazz and the blues, using the language of everyday life. His work related the real experiences of Black Americans while challenging divisions within the Black community itself, including colorism and class prejudice.
In his portrayal, Keith Henley explores Hughes’ artistic journey and a message of self-acceptance and personal empowerment. Audiences will be moved by Hughes’ timeless inspiration that everyone has “a song to sing” and that they should deeply consider the question: “Why not me?”
This final installment in our Living History series offers a chance to connect with the artist who gave voice to Black America during a transformative era in America’s cultural history.

Saturday, April 18th, 2026 @ noon
Belmar Public Library
517 Tenth Ave, Belmar

FREE & OPEN to the public
Seating limited, registration required

Poetry Jam Night
2026-04-30 18:00 - 19:30 | Taylor Pavilion, 500 Ocean Ave., Belmar, NJ, 07719, United States
Poetry Jam Night
LIVE at Taylor Pavilion!
A Celebration of Language and Spoken Word Poetry
Featuring NJ Native Spoken Word artist
James C. Ellerbe
Thursday, April 30, 2025, at 6 PM
Taylor Pavilion, 500 Ocean Ave., Belmar

Meet Our Featured Artist
James C. Ellerbe
“James C. Ellerbe, a seasoned poet and performer from New Jersey, has appeared on BET’s Buy The Book, Showtime at the Apollo, and Spoken Word Apex at Newark’s NJPAC. He’s performed internationally at venues like Montreal’s Kola Note and at esteemed institutions like Rutgers University and Sarah Lawrence College. A finalist for the 2017 Indie Author Legacy Award for Poet of the Year, he authored poetry book Beyond the Event Horizon (2015) and spoken word album Pulsar (2018). His work also appears in the 2020 anthology On Verge: Poets of the Palisades.”

America 250: The Belmar Party
2026-05-07 17:00 - 19:30 | Belmar Public Library, 517 10th Ave, Belmar, NJ, 07719, United States
America 250: The Belmar Party

Join us as Belmar Public Library celebrates America’s 250th birthday with a community gathering on our library lawn!

📅 Thursday, May 7th, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Band starts at 5:30 PM
📍 Belmar Public Library lawn (Free and Open to Public)
Featuring:

Live music by the Ocean Avenue Stompers – New Orleans brass meets Jersey Shore soul
Special appearance by Pat Roddy
Ice cream, face painting, balloon twists, and hot dogs *While supplies last

Celebrate our nation’s milestone in the heart of Belmar!

Manifest Joy With Books and Bowls
2026-06-09 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-08-11 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-09-08 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-10-13 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-11-10 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-12-08 17:00 - 18:00, 2027-01-12 17:00 - 18:00, 2027-02-09 17:00 - 18:00 and 4 more dates | Belmar Public Library, 517 10th Ave, Belmar, NJ, 07719, United States
Gather with neighbors for our monthly mindfulness and affirmation session at the library with Heidi Thompson every second Tuesday at 5PM. Make time for yourself to reflect on what you love and how to manifest it in your life.

Free and open to the public!

Heidi Thompson is a mindfulness expert who leads workshops focused on cultivating joy through intentional living. After experiencing its positive impact in her own life, she was inspired to lead workshops and share these tools with others. Through her sessions, Heidi offers practical tools that help participants build positivity and nurturing habits in everyday life.

Juneteenth Celebration
2026-06-18 17:00 - 19:00 | Taylor Pavilion, 500 Ocean Ave., Belmar, NJ, 07719, United States
Celebrate Juneteenth with Music, Poetry, and Community!
Join us at Taylor Pavilion on Thursday, June 18th, at 5 PM for the Belmar Library’s Juneteenth Celebration!
Featuring:

The Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble representing the beauty of African culture through traditional African dance and drum.
The John Luckenbill Orchestra, performing an unforgettable live concert.
Spoken Word Poetry by James C. Ellerbe, sharing his own inspiring work.

Bring your family and friends to celebrate freedom, culture, and community in a meaningful and joyous way.
This event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
Mark your calendar, and don’t miss this special evening of celebration! Join us at Taylor Pavilion on Thursday, June 18th, at 5 PM by registering here:

Manifest Joy With Books and Bowls *reschedule*
2026-07-21 17:00 - 18:00 | Belmar Public Library, 517 10th Ave, Belmar, NJ, 07719, United States
