Plans under way for Boarding Home Festival

Ocean County's 21st annual Boarding Home Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at Pine Park in Lakewood. Sponsored by the Ocean County Board of Social Services and the Lakewood Township Committee, the festival is part of Ocean County's celebration of September as Board and Care Recognition Month. This observation recognizes that boarding homes protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents of these facilities and provide an alternative to institutionalization and homelessness.

More than 200 people are expected to attend the event, which will include a snack and registration 10-11 a.m.; games from 11 a.m. to noon; pet therapy, a meeting with TNT the Wrestler, and blood pressure screenings from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; a barbecue picnic lunch at noon; a hula hoop/dance contest 1-1:30 p.m.; bake-off winners announced at 1:30 p.m.; and dessert and door prizes 1:30-2 p.m. There will be music and dancing throughout the event. Details: 732-286-5929.