Oysterfest makes another move, to Carousel lot
Partners with Monmouth SPCA to provide special amenities for dogs
Adults and kids of all ages — along with their canine companions — are invited to this year’s Asbury Park Oysterfest, which has switched locations yet again.
This year, the annual three-day seafood festival will be held in the lot just outside of the Carousel building between Asbury Avenue and Wesley Lake [photo above]. It kicks off Friday, Sept. 6.
“The lot showcases a lot of what Asbury has to offer,” said Mike Hollemans, director of logistics for The Passion Group. “It’s smack-dab in the middle of the boardwalk and the downtown. It’s a great lot.”
During the first two years, Oysterfest was held within a two block expanse of Lake Avenue. Last year, event organizers moved the location to the triangular block bound by Heck Street and Cookman and Sewall avenues in the hopes to attract foot traffic through downtown Asbury, Hollemans said.
The new, concrete lot makes more logistical sense for vendors to set up in, is well-lit and event attendees won’t have to trudge through mud if it rains, he said.
The Passion Group and the city’s Chamber of Commerce will again co-produce the event, and have partnered up with the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals [SPCA] to make the event even more dog friendly.
“Dogs have always been welcome at Oysterfest,” Hollemans said. “Asbury Park is such a dog friendly community, and this year we wanted to embellish on that.”
The Monmouth County SPCA will be on hand with a water bar, cooling stations and a few more surprises for any canine companions. Dogs will be on site and available for adoption all weekend long, according to a press release from The Passion Group.
The festival begins Friday with an “Asbury Park Open House at Oysterfest.” Residents and fans of Asbury are invited into the festival free of admission to enjoy discounts on beverages and live “vacation” music.
“On Friday night we create a real vacation atmosphere for our whole community to enjoy and relax in,” said Jackie Pappas, executive director of the city’s chamber of commerce.
On Saturday and Sunday, local and celebrity chefs will be stir up some local flavor with live cooking demonstrations in the Oysterfest test kitchen. Forty North Oyster Farms, Mantaloking, will share some education on the wonders of ethical and local oyster farming.
Over 25 vendors will provide oysters, seafood, and traditional festival fare along with craft beers, wine and other beverages. Another 60 local and unique vendors will offer art, gifts and treasures.
In the center of the lot, an ‘Oyster Oasis’ landscaped by L.B. Forcellati & Sons of Wall Township will be constructed to feature oysters & seafood from local chefs, Hollemans said. Bistro tables will be set up to overlook Wesley Lake so patrons can take in the view along with local cuisine.
Music heard throughout the festival will be diverse and plentiful, featuring Gospel from the heart of Asbury Park’s west side, rock, soulful jazz & blues, a vacation mix of tropical tunes and reggae, the release said.
“Oysterfest is an event that celebrates everything we love about the Asbury Park community – food, culture and music,” Pappas said.
The festival runs Sept. 6-8. Friday’s events run from 6 to 8 p.m. Festivities start at noon on Saturday and Sunday, ending at 10 p.m. on Saturday and 6 p.m. on Sunday. There is a $3 entry fee; a portion of the proceeds will go to The Boys & Girls Club of Monmouth County. Children ages 12 and under will enjoy free admission.
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