Down the Shore: Carnivals and Fairs!

The forecast calls for a scorcher this weekend. Fortunately, there's plenty of things to do if the heat is just too much. Check out this weekend's best bets: 

EVENTS

If you're heading to a Monmouth County beach this weekend, pull up your boots and take in the from 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The 30-year-old tradition will feature rides, food, crafts, a Wild West Show, horses, fireworks and more. Admission is $5, although children younger than 5 get in free. For more information, visit www.coltsneckfair.com or call (732) 462-8500. 

comes early in Manchester, which will celebrate starting at 5 p.m. Saturday at in Whiting. Free children's rides, food and vendors will be on-hand. At 6 p.m., the Journey tribute band Separate Ways will perform, and at 7:30 p.m. Jersey Sound will take the stage. A fireworks display will light up the sky at 9 p.m.

For an old-fashioned carnival, head to the  in Howell this Friday and Saturday for the annual . Food, games, rides and music promise fun for all ages from 6 to 11 p.m. Click here for more information. 

Television and stage star in the  production of "Man of La Mancha" this Friday and Saturday. The performances will be staged in the Bengal Theatre on the campus of  180 Bengal Boulevard, Barnegat. Visit the Theatre Company's website for tickets, priced at $35 for adults and $20 for children 12 and younger.

The will present "," a new stage show by an award-winning playwright, in Long Branch this weekend. The dark comedy explores the anger of the working class. Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. For tickets call (732) 229-3166 or visit www.njrep.org.  

If you don't get your fill of the carnival atmosphere in Howell, head to Wall Township, as the annual Wall Fair continues from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Bands, games, rides and musical acts will be among the highlights of the festival, capped by fireworks Sunday. See the attached PDF files for a full schedule of events. 

The in Manasquan will present the family-friendly musical version of '' from Saturday at its 173 Main St. location. Click here for tickets.

NIGHTLIFE

: The Jerry Topinka Quartet Featuring Jackie Jones will perform as part of the weekly Saturday Night Jazz Sessions, beginning at 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.themillnj.com.

Shark Finn Inn, 701 S. Main St., Forked River: The will perform your favorite Rolling Stones classics at 10 p.m. at this Lacey Township restaurant and bar. Admission is free. Call (609) 971-5440 for more information.

Captain Hook's, 1320 Boulevard, Seaside Heights:Dubbed an "adult playground," Captain Hooks features foosball, shuffleboard, pinball, pool, air hockey darts and more. And oh yeah: alcohol. Call (732) 830-0006 for more information.

: Enjoy an evening while looking out at the ocean at Point Beach's expansive Martell's Tiki Bar. Call (732) 892-0131 for more information.

The Aztec, 901 Boardwalk, Seaside Heights: A favorite of MTV's "Jersey Shore," The Aztec sponsors Jersey Shore Fridays featuring a mix of Latin top 40, hip-hop, reggaeton and reggae music by DJ Edit and DJ EQ. Cover charges vary. Visit aztecoceanresort.com for more information.