MB-USA Semiquincentennial …

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I take genuine pride in my Monmouth Beach heritage. Not only was I raised here; I got to raise my own family here, as well. My family connections in town run from 1955 when my grandmother, Alice Ward Kelly, died in Monmouth Beach. To 2010, when my daughter, Lauren Joan Kelly, was the school’s top 8th grade student.

So it was with profound satisfaction that I got to be part of perhaps the greatest celebration in borough history. Monmouth Beach held a first-class 250th USA celebration in June 2026; conducted at five separate venues — the MB Cultural Center, the MBBP, the MB Firehouse, the MB School/Griffin Park and MB Borough Hall. All the festivities were open to the public and were free of charge. The four-day program was a smash hit with residents and families. There wasn’t a frown in town to be found. Many former residents and families also returned to town — eager and happy — to enjoy the celebration. Numerous attendees recalled the occasion as a “once-in-a-lifetime” town party.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” —Declaration of Independence, 1776

Thoughtful and ambitious in its design, creative and entertaining in its execution, the four-day program showcased the town in its most favorable light. Included were a parade and field day events, fireworks and music, history presentations and displays, food and drink. Our borough’s past is a tale worth rejoicing and remembering. Although coastal history in the Monmouth Beach area reaches back to the late 1600s, it didn’t become official until March 1906 when a new borough separated from Ocean Twp.

The financial contributions in support of the 250th USA-MB celebration — from businesses, families, groups, and individuals — were generous and caring and allowed organizers to honor Monmouth Beach history in the best way possible. Thanks and praise to members of the Monmouth Beach Historical Committee — which acted as the oversight group for the festivities more than a year in planning. It filtered down responsibility to several under-committees that ran the programs and raised the funds for production — all with good cheer and reverence for town heritage. The committee includes: Patrick McConville, Chairman;  Richard Keller, Vice-Chairman; Mark Racioppi, Treasurer; Lisa Stickle, Secretary; Phil Hinck; Karen D’agostino; Greg Kelly, Borough Historian; and Timothy Somers/David Stickle/Anthony Villane, Ex-officio.

• Monmouth Beach Historical Committee — MORE INFO

• Photos by Michael McKenna — MORE INFO

Happy 250th Birthday — Monmouth Beach & USA!

Stars & Bars — Beach Road–Riverdale Avenue intersection is smartly and patriotically decorated for the MB-USA 250th Celebration, June 2026.

Finding Time …

The 250th celebratory mood began in April 2026 when Historical Committee members, borough officials, and DPW employees exhumed the 1976 time-capsule. It had been planted 50 years ago by the Monmouth Beach-USA Bicentennial committee in front of Borough Hall on Beach Road. Its contents are now on display at the Monmouth Beach Cultural Center on Ocean Avenue (open Saturdays; 10 am-1 pm).

Above Ground — The 1976 Monmouth Beach-American Bicentennial celebration time capsule is exhumed at Borough Hall on Beach Road, April 2026.

Lift the Lid — MB-USA ’76 time capsule at Borough Hall prior to its opening, May 2026. The unit was really a vintage metal farm milk jug with an unconventional lid. It was coated in black tar, wrapped in a large plastic bag and sunk into 6-feet of ground.

History Lessons …

Greg Kelly, the borough historian, kicked-off the 250th celebration with a talk on Monmouth Beach origins dating back to 1668. His presentation addressed matters from the Lenape Indians to Eliakim Wardell to Dr. Arthur Conover to the Monmouth Beach Association — covering 350+ years of Jersey Shore life. The 32-minute show set the tone for a grand celebratory weekend.

Town Talk — Borough historian Greg Kelly at the Cultural Center on Ocean Avenue prior to his presentation: “A Shore Splendor: the History of Monmouth Beach,” June 2026. Watch the show — HERE. Greg is a borough native an author of Monmouth Beach: A Century of Memories (2009).

Car Show, Music and Fireworks

On Friday, the celebration moved to the shoreline — at the MBBP on Ocean Avenue where the weather was cooperative. The band delivered the musical entertainment, an excellent auto show provided the iron and an amazing fireworks display capped-off the day with spectacular visuals.

Shore Sounds — Tom Fish and his High Street Slackers band performed at the 250th MB-USA Celebration at the MBBP on Ocean Avenue, June 2026.

Smooth Ride — The MBBP hosted a fine Classic Car Show for the 250th MB-USA Celebration. The event was organized by Paul Scro, a borough resident and owner of Lee’s Garage in WLB.

“Barham Burner” — Fireworks fill the sky during the 250th MB-USA Celebration at the MBBP, June 2026. Bill Barham & Family — faithful generous supporters of borough interests — paid the bill for the grand pyrotechnics. Bill’s notable record of public service includes stints as borough fire chief (1983), borough commissioner (1997-2005), and Monmouth County Freeholder and Director (2005-2009). Today, he is president of The Barham Group, one of the state’s top mechanical contracting firms.

Big Parade & Party at the Firehouse

On Saturday, the 250th celebration moved into the town’s guts — the firehouse, Griffin Park and the school. The borough recreation connission hosted a series of field day events for kids. Activities included pickle-ball and baseball, an art show and a tug-of-war contest, a kick-ball game and and free-throw contest, among other events. The 250th parade was a spectacular production — beginning at the Precious Blood Church and finishing at the MB School — estimates are that 650+ people marched in the parade and another 1,000+ residents watched along the route. The day concluded was a massive “Block Party” at the firehouse which also included a christening of the borough’s new firetruck. Good spirits — with plenty of food and drink — marked the grand occasion.

Fun & Games — Griffin Park and MB School during Field Day activities the MB-USA 250th Celebration, June 2026.

March On — MB-USA 250th Celebration parade on Beach Road, June 2026.

A Team — Mack Fire Truck in the MB-USA 250th Celebration parade on Beach Road, June 2026. Riding in the 1948 vehicle are members of the MBFC Ladies Auxiliary and former fire chief and borough commissioner, Ed Peterson.

Father & Son — Phil Hinck, MB Historical Committee member, marches in the MB-USA 250th celebration parade, June 2026. It was 50 years ago in July 1976 when Phil’s father, Raymond, marched in the bicentennial parade.

Main Street — Participants in the MB-USA 250th celebration parade on Beach Road, June 2026.

Hot Wheels — New MBFC line firetruck, a Ferrara 200-gallon pumper, upon it dedication at the Beach Road firehouse, June 2026.

From the Top — Mayor Tim Somers speaks during the new firetruck dedication ceremony at the firehouse on Beach Road, June 2026. The mayor was fire chief when the company got a much-needed tower-ladder fire truck back in 1988.

Good Duty — MBFC Chief Tim Griffin christens the company’s new vehicle at the firehouse on Beach Road, June 2026.

Line-Up — MB Fire company members (active and exempt) during the new firetruck dedication ceremony at the firehouse on Beach Road, June 2026.

Soup’s On — Later that day, celebrants gathered behind the borough firehouse on Beach Road for a grand celebratory Cook-Out/BBQ. Eric and Susan Keating of Local Smoke BBQ did the food — offering burgers, hotdogs, and pulled-pork. There was plenty of desserts and beer and soft drinks. More than 550 free meals were served that day.

Flag and Founding Document

Organizers closed out the celebration smartly when history action moved to the stately Borough Hall on Beach Road on Sunday. There John Sheeran, leader of the borough’s veteran’s association, spoke about the history and wonder of the American Flag. Then John Schneider — an engaging local historian, author, and multi-media specialist (in print, web, TV, and reenactments) — talked about the Declaration of Independence — offering up his his own rendition of America’s blueprint from 1776.

“Joyful Historian” — John Schneider, a local author-historian, discuses the Declaration of Independence at Borough Hall in front of an enthusiastic audience. Proficient at research and storytelling — with a voice at-once soothing and commanding — for more on John visit his website — HERE.

“Old Glory” — John Sheeran (r) talks about the history of the American flag. John, president of the MB Veteran’s Association president, then gave way to August “Augie” Zilincar (l), an Ocean Twp Eagle Scout, who further enthralled the group with US flag facts and factors.

 Go Back to ’76 …

50 Years Ago — Mayor Sidney Johnson and Raymond Hinck (“Ben Franklin”) during the Monmouth Beach-American Bicentennial celebration on Beach Road, July 1976. For more history/photos from those events held half a century ago visit — HERE.

Share Your Memories …

“Help Preserve Monmouth Beach History” 2026.