The Smithsonian’s Key Ingredients: America by Food - exhibit highlighting the history of foods, sponsored by The Monmouth County Park System, in cooperation with the New Jersey Council for the Humanities. Open during regular park hours (daily from 8 AM - 4:30 PM), at Historic Walnford (just off 195 - Exit 8, traveling west; Exit 11, traveling east), Walnford Road, Upper Freehold, NJ. This traveling exhibit looks at how technology, culture, ethnicity, landscape and tradition influence the foods and flavors enjoyed on tables across the nation. Continues through July 13, 2008. FREE. Call 609-259-6275, or visit www.monmouthcountyparks.com (TTY/TDD #711).

Historical Exhibit - a colorful new exhibit which provides a broader context for what people can see at this authentic, turn-of-the-century living history farm, maintained by the Monmouth County Park System. 1 - 3 PM, at Historic Longstreet Farm, Longstreet Road, Holmdel Park, Holmdel, NJ. The exhibit - which includes plenty of photos and artifacts - explains the architecture, tools, farm buildings, transition to modern agricultural methods, and place of the Longstreet Family in the larger community. On permanent display. Made possible with funding from the New Jersey Historical Commission, the Friends of the Parks, and a private donation. Call 732-842-4000 (TDD/TTY# 711), or visit www.monmouthcountyparks.com.

NYC Ducks Tour - a 75-minute land and water experience aboard a half-boat, half-bus amphibious vehicle which also offers an exciting multimedia theater component. The route starts in Times Square, on the east side of Broadway between 47th and 48th Streets and navigates the streets of Manhattan to the waters of the Hudson River. Along the way, entertaining and informative tour guides point out world-famous sites. At the edge of the Hudson, the vehicle enters the NYC Ducks Theater where travelers are rocked and splashed through a duck-umentory, simulating Henry Hudson’s stormy voyage across the Atlantic to the New World. Next, the vehicle splashes into the Hudson River for an explorer’s eye view of the New York skyline. The Duck concludes the tour by returning to Times Square. Continues through October. Fee. Call 888-8-DUCKS-0 (1-888-838-2570), or visit www.NYCDucks.com.

Storytelling Saturdays! - 2 & 4 PM, on the Discovery Garden Toddler Lawn at Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG), 1000 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NYC. Participants will hear tales of garden adventures, animal journeys, and nature explorations throughout the seasons. Stories will be repeated throughout the workshop, and props and activities will supplement seasonal story themes. There will also be opportunities to share stories and "show & tell." Canceled in case of inclement weather. Fee. Call 718-623-7200, or visit www.bbg.org.

Dance Cruise - cruise by historic sites such as the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Colgate Clock, the Statue of Liberty National Monument and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Board 9 PM, Sail 9:30 PM, Return 11:30 PM. Circle Line Harbor Cruises depart from the historic South Street Seaport’s Pier 16, Manhattan, NYC. The 2 hour harbor cruise includes live DJ entertainment, 2 cash bars, Dance floor, access to Sun Deck and two fully enclosed, climate controlled decks, plus 1 FREE drink with advanced ticket purchase. Tonight's special theme: 60-70s Night. Must be 21 years of age or older, with valid ID. Fee, adults only. Call 866-925-4631, or visit www.Circlelinedowntown.com.

Little Shop of Horrors - see July 2. 2 & 8 PM.

7/6 sunday

Sunday Bible Fellowship - 8:45 AM, at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church on 519 Mercer Street, Bridgewater, NJ. Call 908-526-4330.

State Fair Meadowlands - New Jersey’s largest, annual family-friendly event offers action-packed fun for the entire family. 2 PM - midnight, at Giants Stadium Fairgrounds in the Meadowlands Sports Complex, East Rutherford, NJ. The fair features: thrilling rides, acrobats, plenty of free entertainment with dazzling performers, tigers, a hypnotist, magic, games, exhibits, shopping and an array of amazing food. There will also be a Petting Zoo, Strolling Musicians & Costumed Characters – the fair wouldn’t be complete without cute animals, music, and guys in fun fuzzy costumes! Fee. Call 973-450-1073, or visit www.njfair.com.

Chess Group - an adult activity group. 7 PM, at Barnes & Noble, 240 Route 22 West, Springfield, NJ. Players of all levels are invited to discuss, play, and enjoy chess. FREE. Call 973-376-8544, or visit www.bn.com or www.barnesandnobleinc.com.

225th Anniversary Of The Continental Congress Meeting In Princeton - a multi-day celebration at both the Morven Museum (55 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ) and the Princeton Battlefield which will include performers of the American Historical Theatre in period costumes portraying Congress coming to the Morven House. There will be period dancers on the front lawn of the former Governor’s mansion and horse drawn carriage rides for the public. At the battlefield they will be showcasing 18th century medicine. Call 609-924-8144, or visit www.historicmorven.org.

Gristmill Demonstration - an opportunity to see how corn is processed into cornmeal. At Historic Walnford (just off 195 - Exit 8, traveling west; Exit 11, traveling east), Walnford Road, Upper Freehold, NJ. Historic Walnford showcases over 200 years of Monmouth County’s past. Started as a family farm, the site now includes a small industrial village complete with operational 19th century gristmill. Admission and parking: FREE. Call 609-259-6275, or visit www.monmouthcountyparks.com (TTY/TDD #711).

Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship - exhibition promising science, adventure and excitement for the whole family to enjoy. At The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA. This interactive touring exhibition showcases treasures and artifacts from the first fully authenticated pirate ship discovered in U.S. waters. It tells the true story of the Whydah and provides visitors with an unprecedented glimpse into the unique economic, political and social circumstances of the early 18th-century Caribbean and the reality of the slave trade in West Africa. The exhibition is highlighted by the compelling stories of the diverse people whose lives converged on the vessel before it was sunk in a fierce storm off the coast of Cape Cod, Mass. on April 26, 1717. Organized by National Geographic (www.nationalgeographic.com) and Arts and Exhibitions International (AEI) LLC (www.artsandexhibitions.com). Continues to Nov. 2nd. Fee. Visit www.piratesexhibit.com or www.fi.edu. Visitors can learn more about Philadelphia at www.gophila.com.

Exhibition & River Cruise - a combination package including a one-hour narrated harbor cruise aboard Circle Line’s luxury yacht Zephyr and one ticket to experience ”BODIES…The Exhibition.” Circle Line Harbor Cruises depart from the historic South Street Seaport’s Pier 16, Manhattan, NYC. The Zephyr Seaport Liberty Cruise glides by historic sites such as the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Colgate Clock. The highlight of the harbor cruise is an up-close view of Statue of Liberty National Monument and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. “BODIES…The Exhibition” showcases whole-body specimens and more than 260 organs and partial body specimens to give visitors the opportunity to see their own bodies in a fascinating way. Tickets available at the BODIES Box Office at 11 Fulton St. or at the Circle Line Box Office on the South Street Seaport’s Pier 16. The cruise will also feature views of the exhibit, “The New York City Waterfalls,” artist Olafur Eliasson’s installation of four towering waterfalls along the shores of Brooklyn, Manhattan and Governors Island. A similar package, featuring a minute thrill-ride on the city’s fastest speedboat, the Shark, is also available. Visit www.Bodiestickets.com or www.Circlelinedowntown.com.

Little Shop of Horrors - see July 2. 2 & 7:30 PM.

7/7 monday

Dessert And A Movie - part of an International Summer Film Series. 2:30 & 6:30 PM, at Middletown Township Public Library, 55 New Monmouth Road (off of Route 35), Middletown, NJ. Today's Screening: "The Namesake," Mira Nair’s critically acclaimed film based on the popular novel by Jhumpa Lahiri about an American born son of immigrant parents from India. (PG 13, 2007). FREE. Call 732-671-3700 x320, or visit mtpl.org.