2011 Italian American Festival Begins Wednesday

Wednesday will be mostly sunny with a high near 89 degrees and an overnight low of 62, according to the National Weather Service.

The Italian American Festival opens Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Freehold Raceway. The fair continues until Saturday, July 16 and the hours are 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. each night. The Italian American Festival features live music, traditional Italian dances, rides, games and food vendors. On Saturday, a mass will be held at St. Rose of Lima at 6:30 p.m., followed by a procession to the festival. In addition, fireworks will go off Saturday at 9:45 p.m.

New Jersey Blood Services will host a blood drive on Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the former Border’s store in the Freehold Raceway Mall.

The Freehold Raceway Mall Concert Series continues Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the grassy area in front of with a performance by the B. Street Band.

The competition will continue Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. as amateur performers take the microphone in front of the Hall of Records building.

The Freehold Borough Planning Board will meet at Borough Hall on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

The Freehold Township Parks & Recreation Commission meets at the Michael J. Tighe Park Activity Center at 7:30 p.m.