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Asbury Park’s annual LGBT beach party is set to take place this weekend.

The event, dubbed “Sand Blast,” is a collection of parties and events held in Asbury Park geared toward the LGBT community.

“Sand Blast is all about introducing our gay and lesbian friends to the entire Asbury Park experience and encouraging them to come here on other weekends throughout the year as well,” said Brad Hurtado, the event’s organizer.

“The Beach Party” — a Saturday dance party on the beach just north of Convention Hall — is one of the event’s annual highlights. It is expected to draw over 2,000 people, according to Hurtado.

Hurtado has organized the event for the last six years.

“From the very beginning it’s always been about putting Asbury Park on the gay map,” he said.

Other events include beach volleyball with the Gay Asbury Park Volleyball team, a 2-hour guided bike ride along the shore and historic residential neighborhoods, beginner surf and paddle board lessons with NJ Surf School, beach yoga and a beach dodgeball game, Hurtado said.

Festivities start tonight with a “Bikini Beach Drag Party” at Georgie’s Bar, located on the corner of 5th Avenue and Memorial Drive.

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[Photo at top is of last year’s Sand Blast beach party, courtesy of Brad Hurtado.]

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