Jul 07, 2021

My Visit to Pride in the Park

By Julia Mortimer

As summer rolls in, humidity and bright sunlight enter into our days. Weekends, when the sun is shining, are always the best, so they must be taken advantage of! It seems that once the heat blankets the Jersey Shore, everybody begins to defrost from the tough winter, and smiles become more effortless when our skin is tanned.

A breakfast spot called Almost Home in Lincroft just recently opened and has been the talk of the town. On this Saturday morning, I decided to see what all of the hype was about. A few friends and I sat outside at a cozy table with perfect, direct sunlight. We ordered our coffees and chatted. It felt as though we were relaxing in one of our backyards, I suppose the name “Almost Home” is quite fitting!

A friend and I split the hot biscuit sandwich which had breakfast sausage, a fried egg, Vermont white cheddar and homemade hot honey, served on a homemade biscuit, with a salad on the side. Yes, it was as good as it sounds. It was, hands down, the best breakfast sandwich I’ve ever had, and I have had my fair share! My two other friends shared a Jersey Shore classic: pork roll, egg and cheese. There were rave reviews across the board!

The restaurant has interesting lattes; my one friend ordered a charcoal latte which she enjoyed. Almost Home does different specials where the baristas create interesting lattes, such as with fruity pebbles.

It is a perfect spot for brunch as well, being that it is BYOB! The ambiance is so comfortable and welcoming. I would certainly recommend it to a friend.

After finishing our breakfast, we decided to head over to Pride in the Park in Red Bank. The event was held from 1 to 4 pm at Riverside Gardens Park. As a part of the event, there was a DJ and games for children. It was a wonderful experience seeing such a beautiful celebration of inclusivity. Many people proudly wore their flags and Pride gear, while effortlessly dancing and commemorating Pride Month.

Downtown Red Bank was a sight to see on this summer Saturday. With Broad Street closed off to traffic,plenty of locals were enjoying the weather and outdoor dining at the numerous wonderful spots.

Many towns along the Jersey Shore hosted beautiful pride events for the month of June. It is so wonderful to see everyone coming together in the place you call home! This was yet another weekend worth making the extra effort to appreciate where I live and the beautiful people that make these places so pleasurable. Each day I grow more and more grateful for the place I get to call home… and Almost Home.