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Fall Tourism Season Has Begun In Monmouth County

Fall Tourism Season has begun here in Monmouth County! A press conference was held at Bell Works in Holmdel on Tuesday for the announcement. According to a press release about…

basket of apples
(Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Fall Tourism Season has begun here in Monmouth County! A press conference was held at Bell Works in Holmdel on Tuesday for the announcement.

According to a press release about the event, The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, local officials, and tourism partners welcomed the 2024 fall tourism season during a press conference at Bell Works in Holmdel on Tuesday morning, Oct. 1.

Tom Arnone Monmouth County Tourism

“Summer 2023 saw more than 9.5 million visitors to Monmouth County, our food and beverage revenues increased and our visitor spending increased. We are confident that when the new State report is released next spring for the summer of 2024, we will see the same upward trend from last year,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the Division of Tourism. “We are anticipating a record-breaking summer season for beach revenue—with Monmouth County beaches on track to surpass $30 million in revenue for 2024.”

Reminder: Don't Feed The Bears In New Jersey

Local elected officials and tourism partners also discussed the fall season in Monmouth County

“People from all over New Jersey visit our natural and manmade landmarks,” said Holmdel Mayor Rocco Impreveduto. “These locations include Monmouth County’s Historic Longstreet Farm, our open fields and tranquil lakes, Bell Works, the PNC Bank Arts Center, and the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and Museum. We welcome all those who choose to visit these sites. And we thank the County for an extraordinary contribution to help us purchase the site of the historic Horn Antenna for the future Robert Wilson Park.”

Monmouth County Government Officials Monmouth County Tourism

“It is an honor for us to welcome you to Bell Works, the world’s first metroburb,” said Ralph Zucker, CEO and Founder of Inspired by Somerset Development. “The world bet against us when we said we wanted to develop this site, but Monmouth County bet with us to make it happen. We took a building that was closed to the public and bet on the people of this town, this County, and this State. Bell Works is open to the public every day; please come here and enjoy it.”

“What a dream it is to be in Bell Works,” said Mary-Kate Schmidt, Director of Axelrod Performing Arts Academy and Bell Theater. “We offer many unique activities for young people; musical theater, dance classes, and many other performance opportunities. Our vision is to become a leading cultural center and our goal is to create a vibrant cultural scene in the region.”

“Our County Commissioners and Division of Tourism support our chambers of commerce in so many ways,” said Terese Rolke, Executive Director of the Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce. “There is so much to see and do here in Monmouth County, so many good memories, so much talent and so many businesses that are supported through the events that go on throughout our county.”

There is still so much to see and do in Monmouth County

Pumpkins on straw bales against the background of people at a fall festivaldimetradim/ Getty Images

“Fall is one of the best times of year to visit Monmouth County. Our nationally recognized Park System has more than 40 properties ranging from parks and golf courses to historic sites and conservation areas. One of the Park System’s most popular events, Thompson Park Day, is happening on Oct. 20 in Lincroft,” said Commissioner Director Arnone. “We have so many amazing happenings all around the County this fall; the Ocean Grove Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Fall Harvest Festival Arts and Crafts Show on Oct. 5, Brookdale starts its Haunted Theater, and the newly formed Belmar-Lake Como Chamber of Commerce will have its first event, Fall Fest, in late October featuring a car show, live music, vendors and more.”

The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners presented a Certificate of Recognition to Bob Zuckerman, Executive Director of Red Bank RiverCenter, in honor of his retirement and to congratulate him on his career promoting Red Bank’s local tourism industry.

“We are recognizing and honoring Bob Zuckerman, who is retiring from his role at Red Bank RiverCenter,” said Commissioner Director Arnone. “Bob is a vital part of the success that has occurred at RiverCenter and in the town of Red Bank. The County, the local chambers of commerce, and small businesses in that area appreciate and thank him for his hard work. He will be greatly missed.”

“Thank you for this proclamation,” said Zuckerman. “Our partnership over the last few years has been tremendous. Monmouth County ‘gets it’ when it comes to supporting local business.”

The press conference was streamed live and can still be viewed here.

For more info visit the Monmouth County Tourism webpage.

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Gotts saying his goodbyes before heading up!


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Jimmy Steal, Andy Chase, and Ocean of Love's Theresa starting off the live broadcast!


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Gotts going up! Ready to make the billboard home for 3 nights!


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Toms Hanley starting off the Jersey Rock Concert for Night 1 with Spyne!


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T-shirt time!


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Chris Gullace on top of the Billboard with Gotts and Tom Hanley!


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The DT's with Gotts and Tom Hanley!


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Baron Praxis with Gotts and Tom Hanley!


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The billboard was all lit up this year!


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The legends who decked out the whole billboard with lights!


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Carl and Gotts ready for Day 2!


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The youngest donator!


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Chef Mike has arrived!


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The DeSilvas rocking out night 2!


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Cars lining up for the car show!


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The "Barbie" car and its miniature self were the winners of the "prettiest car" contest!


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Chef Mike and his crew getting to work!


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Grab dessert at the Kona Ice Truck!


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Forked River Fire Department hand delivering their donation to the top of the billboard in style!


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Gotts suited up ready to take on the rain of day 3!


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Barbara Dean and Gotts broadcasting from the top of the billboard!


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Generous donation from IBEW Local 400!


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Gotts's parents stopped by!


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Food trucks, petting zoo, crafts, and more at family night!


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Theresa showering the kids in bubbles!


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2024 Shore Awards Winner Chris Fritz playing for family night!


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4H petting zoo bunnies!


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Ducks too!


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Rocky came out to say hi and give hugs!


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Photobooth in action!


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Free face paintings!


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The promo team told Santa what they want for Christmas


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Needlez the Dragonborn back agin this year to do this thing!


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The Szymanski Family came by with a monster donation!


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Christie Raleigh Crossley, Paralympics swimmer and Toms River Native, stopped by with some of her medals won in Paris this year!


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How cool are these?!


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Erik Swift hopping on-air with Carl, Theresa and Gotts to start off the final day!


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Thank you to MyGuy Plumbing for their donation!


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Thank you to Builders' General for their donation!


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Atomic Rob giving Theresa a hug after presenting Ocean of Love with $1,100 raised by the promo team over the summer!


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Drum Point Elementary School donating $3,757 all raised by students!


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Don't they look like they could save you from a fire?


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Emergency Service Vehicles Parade coming through to bring Gotts Down!


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Coming down the same way he went up!


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Everyone came out to watch the big moment!


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Gotts's first steps off the billboard! Lots of handshakes and hugs to go around!


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The whole crew back together!


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Grand reveal of the total amount raised!


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The WRAT staff with the final tally! Thank you so much RAT Rock Nation for showing up and helping us reach this!

Believe it or not, Jimmy’s first job was overnights at a Christian Radio Station. He claims he got into radio because like Rocky Balboa once said, “cause I can’t sing or dance.” Jimmy loves to write about all local happenings, especially around his town of Toms River. Favorite Pastime (other than masturbation, of course): Cheering for the Yankees, and crying for the J-E-T-S!!! Favorite Food: Hot Sauce…I collect ’em! Favorite Drink: PRUNO…look it up, if you dare! Favorite Movies: The Exorcist, Planet of The Apes (the original), To Kill a Mockingbird, Annie Hall, and of course GF 1 & GF 2…I heard that’s how the real fans refer to them. Favorite Movie Line: easy…Murry-Caddyshack-“big hitter, the Lama”…f#$*in’ riot! Best Rat Rock Bands: STP, VH, ZEP, PEARL JAM, FOOS, PEPPERS,AC/DC Favorite New Bands: Glorious Sons, Rival Sons, Dirty Honey Most Embarrassing Moment: the moment my mother reads this shit! Best Day: I know a lot of folks say this, but it’s true: the day my little girl Jynell and my boy Big D were born! Next to that, it would have to be the day I was baked on earth day in Central Park and met Keefer Sutherland…baked too, I believe.