Guide to the Freehold Township Day

Freehold Township Day is an annual celebration in Freehold, NJ, that aims to celebrate patriotism and small-town Americana in a family-friendly festival environment. The event takes place at Michael J. Tighe Park, 65 Georgia Road in Freehold, and this year is slated for Saturday, July 11 from 5 to 11 pm.

The festival's attractions include laser tag; stands from local businesses; food and merchandise vendors; live music, including returning favorite Screaming Broccoli; carnival rides geared toward children; a volleyball tournament; a teen center with a DJ, games, and rides; a fireworks show set to patriotic music; and a video presentation entitled "Salute to the Veterans." 

All of the day's events and rides are free. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and bug spray for better comfort while they watch the event's attractions. The event also features a car show entitled "Don't Forget the Vets."

Freehold's Veterans Community Alliance, a not-for-profit organization, organizes Freehold Township Day. The event began in 2002 as a small affair called the Freehold Family Fun Day, with one carnival ride, a movie screen, and a live band. It's grown dramatically since then and has been focused on veterans and patriotism since 2007. The event now attracts thousands of visitors from around the area.

Each year, at the event's climax, a committee selects a wounded veteran from the community to whom they present a check. Previous years have honored veterans with traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, and lupus. The money is provided by donations from community members and businesses. While the amount varies from year to year, previous totals have been in the vicinity of $10,000. This is in addition to the tens of thousands of dollars needed to put on a successful event.

To get to Michael J. Tighe Park from Route 9, get off on Route 524, heading west. Take a left on to Georgia Road and head down several blocks. The park is on the left, just past St. Robert Bellarmine Roman Catholic Church.

Make sure to stop by this great event with family and friends. We at Freehold Dodge wish you a happy Freehold Township Day. Come out and show your Freehold Pride!