New Jersey Seafood Festival Lures Shore and Seafood Lovers

New Jersey Seafood Festival Lures Shore and Seafood Lovers

Back to Belmar June 7, 8, 9 2013

27^th Annual Belmar Festival Bigger, Better 

For the past 26 years, visitors from all over New Jersey and the surrounding states have marked the beginning of summer with one of the Shore’s favorite traditions: the New Jersey Seafood Festival.  And, in spite of Hurricane Sandy, 2013 will be no different.  Over 175,000 people are expected to descend upon Belmar’s Silver Lake Park to enjoy one of the oldest and largest seafood festivals in the country.  Warm ocean breezes, live entertainment, kids’ activities and unique crafts add to the gustatory experience of a myriad of tastes and treatments of the area’s freshest seafood.  This year, Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders join in the fun as the Festival celebrates its 27^th consecutive year in Belmar on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 7^th, 8^th and 9^th.  “Monmouth County is proud of Belmar’s rapid recovery and proud to be a partner in the Belmar Seafood Festival once again,” said Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone. “Recognizing that tourism is a $2.1 billion industry in Monmouth County, the freeholders are ramping up the county’s tourism efforts to help the local businesses and communities in their recovery from Superstorm Sandy.”

“Belmar has come a long way since Superstorm Sandy,” says Mayor Matthew Doherty.  “We invite visitors to come back and enjoy our broad sandy beaches, restaurants and marina that make the town the perfect summer destination.  The Seafood Festival’s winning combination of seafood, entertainment, crafts, vendors and family fun is the solid foundation upon which we’ve been able to continue adding new and exciting features each year. “

Admission is free to the festival, and visitors can purchase offerings from 45 of the area’s best restaurants and food vendors, serving everything from traditional items like steamed lobster, shrimp on a stick, crab cakes and fried clams to the trendier sushi, fish tacos and seafood quesadillas and more exotic conch fritters and alligator sausage.  Seafood lovers will find restaurant favorites such as Brandl, Mr. Shrimp, Klein’s Waterside, Jake’s Crab Shack, Ragin’ Cajun, 10^th Ave Burrito Co. and 9^th Avenue Pier from Belmar, Jack Baker’s Lobster Shanty from Point Pleasant Beach and a whole lot more. Forty North Oyster Farms, the state’s only coastal (non-estuary) oyster farmer and recipient of Edible Jersey  Magazine’s 2013 Local Hero Farmer award, will be on hand with their delectable raw bar.

The festival, twice named one of the Top 100 Events in America, kicks off at 4 pm on Friday, June 7^th   featuring live entertainment by the Blue Sky Duo at 4 pm and the Danny White Band from 6 until 8 pm.  “The festival has reached a level beyond anything that could have been envisioned by its founders,” says Mary Brabazon, Belmar’s Director of Tourism and organizer of the event.  “The Friday afternoon opening gives locals and early birds a chance to enjoy the festival before the weekend rush.”

The New Jersey Seafood Festival promises fun for all ages, with plenty of games and activities for the kids and a wide range of crafters and vendors for browsing and collecting.  Bring your dancing shoes – live entertainment on Saturday features Red Wagon starting at 11:30, D’Jais’ house band and Shore favorite Holme taking the stage at 2 pm, and The Shore Blues Band wrapping up Saturday’s performances starting at 5 pm.  The Manasquan High School Jazz Band kicks off Sunday’s performances at 11:30, followed by Blackberry Blues Band at 2 pm and Slim Chance & The Gamblers at 4 pm.

Visitors can find the latest techie gadgets at Verizon Wireless Store on Wheels, cool off with a refreshing mug of Wild Bill’s Olde Fashioned Soda, or sample the latest offerings from Dunkin’ Donuts or Slurpee.   The 21 and over crowd can enjoy a glass of Martin Codax Albarino, Las Rocas Garnacha or Red Blend in the Festival Wine Garden or a cold Leinenkugel Honey Weiss or Summer Shandy in the Beer Tent adjacent to the lake and Gazebo.  Find a wealth of information and giveaways from other festival sponsors, including the Monmouth County Association of Realtors, Cooper Electric Supply, New Jersey Lottery, and home improvement companies.

Don’t let traffic stand in your way of a good time. NJ Transit will bring you right to Belmar, and your ticket entitles you to discount beach passes. Visit www.NJTransit.com for schedules and information.  If you’re driving to town, take advantage of free parking in the downtown located just south of the NJ Transit Station (10^th Avenue), at the Belmar Marina located on 10^th Avenue and Route 35, or at Dempsey Park on 16th Avenue.  Festival shuttles will run through Belmar continuously until 8 pm on Saturday and Sunday, with stops at the Marina, the NJ Transit train station, parking areas and downtown.

For more information on the New Jersey Seafood Festival or lodging information, go to www.visitBelmarNJ.com or call 732-681-3700, extension 214.

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Festival Dates:  June 7, 8, 9 2013

Hours:  Friday 4 – 8 pm, Saturday 11 am – 8 pm & Sunday 11 am – 6 pm

Location:  Silver Lake Park, Belmar (Ocean Avenue between 5^th and 6^th Avenues)

Produced by the Belmar Tourism Commission, 601 W. Main St., Belmar, NJ 07719

Admission to the festival is free.  Food, beverage, crafts, and other items are for sale

No pets allowed please

Entertainment Schedule at end of release

Additional Public Information:  www.visitbelmarnj.com  732.681.3700, ext. 214

Additional  Sponsorship and Press Information:  Patti Baxter, Spark Market Solutions office 732.747.4449, cell 908-675-0196; [email protected]

Entertainment Schedule:

Friday June 7th                  4:00-6:00pm       Blue Sky Duo

6:00-8:00pm       Danny White Band

Saturday June 8th            11:30-1:30          Red Wagon

2:00-4:30             HOLME

5:00-7:30             The Shore Blues Band

Sunday  June 9th              11:30-1:30          Manasquan High School Jazz Band

2:00-4:00             The Blackberry Blues Band

4:00-6:00             Slim Chance & The Gamblers 

For more Information on the Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau events or more like this one please visit http://www.visitthejerseyshore.com or call Robert Hilton Executive Director of the JSCVB at 732-244-9283