TOMS RIVER – Two downtown events that were cancelled due to weather are coming up.
Toms River’s 7th Annual Pride Festival will be on Washington Street in Downtown Toms River from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 16, hosted by the Toms River Pride Committee, Exit 82 Theatre Company and Toms River Artist Community (TRAC).
There is a tentative rain date if there’s extreme weather: Sunday, August 17, 2025, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
This is a family-friendly event with food, vendors, performances, shopping, community resources and festivities, organizers said.
At 11 a.m. there will be opening remarks to honor TR Pride Advocate Awardee Diane Musella, New Jersey Library Association’s Librarian of the Year, Ocean County Library, and Free Mom Hugs Ocean County.
Performances include (ASL Interpreters will be present at all mainstage performances):
11:15 a.m. – Redbird Flying Solo
12 p.m. – Jon Kindred Band
1 p.m. – Dan Stinger
2 p.m. – Drag Performance with E. LicksHer, Milani & Cherri Leigh Sundae
3 p.m. – Madhavi Devi
4 p.m. – DJ/Music
5-8 p.m. – Pride After Party at Garden State Distillery with Dan Stinger featuring Barnegat Pride & Jersey Shore Roller Derby
Off-site, there will be a Jersey Shore Roller Derby bout against Strong Island Derby Revolution at Winding River Skating Rink at 2 p.m.
“It is our hope that this inclusive tradition will spark meaningful collaboration that advances our mission of fostering a safe and welcoming environment for members and allies of the LGBTQIA2S+ community in Ocean County and across the region,” organizers said.
For more information, visit exit82theatre.com/tr-pride or follow @TomsRiverPride on Facebook & Instagram
Founder’s Day
Founder’s Day had been held for many years, but at one point it merged with a downtown food festival. Between that and large gatherings being banned during the early years of COVID-19, Founder’s Day fell off the radar.
It was set to return this year on May 17. There had been inclement weather predicted, so Mayor Daniel Rodrick postponed it.
Reached for comment, Rodrick said Founder’s Day will be held in the fall but the date has not yet been chosen.
