Summertime in Monmouth County is always a fun time, with so much to do, and so many places to go with family and friends, and, it's a busy and beneficial time of year for restaurants, businesses, hotels, and more.

There's still plenty to do in the fall months though especially as we hand the baton from October to November over the next week.

The summer months bring larger crowds, but thanks to fall holidays, time off, vacation days, and so forth, many people still head through Monmouth County around this time of year.

At a recent press conference at Allaire Community Farm in Wall Township, Monmouth County Commissioner Director Tom Arnone explained just how successful the summer months were in that reported beach revenue garnered more than $ 29 million alone which is a 7-percent increase over the summer of 2021.

(Photo: Monmouth County Government)
(Photo: Monmouth County Government)
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"We were packed this year, all of our restaurants, all of our beaches, revenues way up pretty much everywhere, and, I have to attribute it to that," Arnone told Townsquare Media for this News story. "We have great partnerships with our local tourism departments here in the county where we have regular discussions, and we assist them on the marketing side."

The hope, like for Jersey Shore communities across Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, and Cape May Counties are that the success of summer lingers through the fall months and shoulder season.

While the summers and falls of 2020 and 2021 were halted or slowed in many and then subsequently smaller ways by comparison to each other by the Covid pandemic itself and state restrictions, this year there are rising and continuing concerns and issues when it comes to high state taxes on top of rising gas prices and inflation creating economic nightmares for many people, families, and businesses.

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There is hope that in face of these concerns, communities across Monmouth County (among other Jersey Shore communities) will persevere in the shoulder season, quite possibly, as Commissioner Arnone explains, because many who may typically go on warmer trips during the cooler months will stay around here due to financial restrictions.

"It might not benefit in the actual spending of money because inflation is obviously hitting everyone, but, people leaving the area to go to other destinations in the fall when the weather gets a little cooler, I think that there will be some hold back because of the increased prices of air-flights, and just the inflation costs that have risen, and let's not ever forget the gas prices too that go along with that," Arnone said. "All those things will attribute to, I think, a benefit here."

(Happy Day Farm)
(Happy Day Farm)
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There are day trips, and weekend getaways occurring so far this fall, Arnone says, and people are frequenting downtown areas such as Red Bank, Asbury Park, Highlands, and Manasquan in Monmouth County.

"It's that time of the season where people want to go to pick apples, pick pumpkins, and all that, so, obviously our farm-agriculture history here is extremely strong, so, they flourish," Arnone said. "What happens is, these families go out, and then they frequent one of our eateries there."

(Holland Ridge Farms)
(Holland Ridge Farms)
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There are many businesses holding events already including the Holland Ridge Farm in Manalapan, sunflowers and corn mazes at the Happy Days Farm in Manalapan, or people going to wineries, eateries, and different fall attractions and will be doing so over the fall months that have helped and will help the local economy in Monmouth County.

"And, let's face it, when the weather is nice, people still want to take a stroll on the boardwalk," Arnone said.

In addition, Delicious Orchards in Colts Neck is always a popular place, especially during the months of October, November, and December with people getting ready for the holidays.

Coffees and Candies at Delicious Orchards. (Vin Ebenau, Townsquare Media NJ)
Coffees and Candies at Delicious Orchards. (Vin Ebenau, Townsquare Media NJ)
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Along with that, we learned from Jo Ann Burney, the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Allaire Community Farm in Wall Township recently on 'Shore Time with Vin and Dave' on 94.3 The Point and 105.7 The Hawk, about their ongoing Fall Harvest Festival.

"We're doing our Fall Harvest Festival, and that's where you can come, you can get your pumpkin, you can get your corn stalk, your hay bale, apple cider donuts, hayride, barrel train ride -- it's a beautiful time to be on the farm, the leaves are changing and it's picturesque," Burney previously told Townsquare Media. "That'll be going on, continuing until November 20. We are open six days a week to the public, Tuesday thru Saturday 10-4, and Sundays 12-4."

Whether it's Allaire Community Farm, Delicious Orchards, or something else, there are plenty of fall activities and good eats in Monmouth County.

Delicious Orchards kitchen. (Vin Ebenau, Townsquare Media)
Delicious Orchards kitchen. (Vin Ebenau, Townsquare Media)
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"Everybody knows Delicious Orchards and it's becoming that time of the year, we're going to be coming into the Thanksgiving season and then, of course, the holiday season, Christmas season there, and, people frequent that and know it, not just in Monmouth County, but, all down the region," Arnone said. "Allaire Community Farm is close to my heart, I helped with that project when it first started and was there with them on the ground floor. I think people are now recognizing the fun times and benefits of Allaire Community Farm."

Kyle Anthony, Townsquare Media
Kyle Anthony, Townsquare Media
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There's also a new attraction being added to the fold in Monmouth County with the “Brewed & Distilled in Monmouth” initiative which Commissioner Director Arnone explains will help promote wineries, breweries, and distilleries in the area with a website all ready for you to check out. 

(Photo Courtesy: Monmouth County Government)
(Photo Courtesy: Monmouth County Government)
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"We just received a huge grant from the New Jersey Department of Travel & Tourism where we received $246,000 and then we received a second one (Destination Marketing Organization American Rescue Plan) worth $315,000, so, we plan on utilizing that to assist our municipalities through the tourism partnership here in Monmouth County," Arnone said.

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