Carousel of Music Concert Series Dates Set for Summer

With summer activities in full swing, the Ocean County Board of Freeholders has released its schedule of the free summer concert series Carousel of Music, which brings live shows to parks and venues all over the county.

The Carousel of Music, which was begun in the '70s, is run with help from the Ocean County Library, Ocean County Parks and Recreations, Toms River Township, Township of Berkeley, Beachwood Borough, and the Borough of Ship Bottom, and will  feature 34 concerts throughout July and August.           

The series begins with a patriotic start with a July 1 performance by the 63rd Army Band. Then on July 2, Garden State Philharmonic performs, and the Toms River Municpal Band performs on July 4. All three concerts start at 7:30 p.m. and will be at the Ocean County Library.

“It’s very moving, especially Fourth of July, when our patriotic bands start off our series,” said Mary Jane Mehorter, Superintendent of Recreation for Ocean County Parks and Recreation. “They recognize members of each branch of the service in the audience, and it’s just a way to honor all who have served.”

The series offers a wide variety of music. The bands, mostly all from Ocean County, include patriotic bands, Jazz ensembles, tribute bands (Jimmy Buffet, The Eagles, Rod Stewart), and much more. Mehorter feels there’s no secret why the series is so successful.           

"There’s nothing better than coming out on a wonderful summer night with family and friends, and enjoying live entertainment free of charge. People bring chairs and food and just make friends because the music connects them for a great night.”

The following is the complete schedule of the Carousel of Music Summer Concert Series. 

• 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 1: 63rd Army Band, , Toms River 
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 2: Garden State Philharmonic, Ocean County Library,  
• 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 4: Toms River Municipal Band, Ocean County Library, Toms River 
• 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 6: The Infernos, Veterans Park, Berkeley
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 9: Wilbur Wittmann Revue, Ocean County Library, Toms River
• 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 10: The Tone Rangers, Ocean County Library, Toms River
• 7 p.m. Thursday, July 14: The Wild and the Innocent & Collateral Damage, 10th Street,Waterfront Park, Ship Bottom
• 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 15: Toms River Municipal Band, Ocean County Library, Toms River
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 16: Big Band Brass Tacks, Ocean County Library, Toms River
• 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 17: Deuces Wild, Ocean County Library, Toms River
• 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 20: Rick Larrimore Tribute to Rod Stewart, Veterans Park, Berkeley
• 7 p.m. Thursday, July 21: “Sir Rod”- Tribute to Rod Stewart, 10th Street, Waterfront Park, Ship Bottom
• 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 22: The Briartones, Ocean County Library, Toms River
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 23: Pat Mash Big Band Express, Ocean County Library, Toms River
• 7 p.m. Thursday, July 28: The Roustabouts, 10th Street Waterfront Park, Ship Bottom
• 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 29: Toms River Municipal Band, Ocean County Library, Toms River
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 30: The Rag Timers, Ocean County Library, Toms River
• 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 31: Power House Big Band, Ocean County Library, Toms River
• 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3: The Duprees, Veterans Park, Berkeley
• 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4: Shorty Long and the Jersey Horns, 10th Street Waterfront Park, Ship Bottom
• 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5: Toms River Municipal Band, Ocean County Library, Toms River 
• 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6: Sentimental Journey “Music that won the war,” Ocean County Library, Toms River
• 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7:  Bob Herman’s Swing Sextet, Ocean County Library, Toms River
• 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11 Thursday: Lighthouse, 10th Street Waterfront Park, Ship Bottom
• 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12: Toms River Jazz Ensemble, Ocean County Library, Toms River
• 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13: Jersey Gold Band, Beachwood Beach, Beachwood
• 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14: The Kootz Band, Ocean County Library, Toms River
• 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17: The Mahoney Brothers, Veterans Park, Berkeley
• 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18: “Jimmy & the Parrots” Tribute to Jimmy Buffet,t 10th Street, Waterfront Park, Ship Bottom
• 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19: Toms River Municipal Band, Ocean Co. Library, Toms River
• 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20: Frank Albert Dance Band, Ocean Co. Library, Toms River
• 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21: The Roustabouts, Ocean Co. Library, Toms River
• 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29: Toms River Municipal Band, Ocean Co Library, Toms River
• 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27: Lakewood Jazz Ensemble, Ocean Co. Library, Toms River
• 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31: Hotel California – Tribute to the Eagles, Veterans Park, Berkeley