---

Thursday’s Mayor’s Rodeo For Recreation is shaping up to be a community affair, with many local businesses and venues pitching in to support the summer youth camp program administered by the City’s Recreation Department and Asbury Park School District.

The event, which launched in 2016, is the brainchild of Mayor John Moor, who opted out of the traditional Mayor’ Ball for a more fun relaxed fundraising event. Meant to be an annual fundraiser, the community’s response following the inaugural event raised over $40,000 and funded two years worth of camp fees for children whose families could not afford the expense.

Over 600 city children have participated in the 6-week program in the past two years. 

“I’m hoping we will repeat that community support again this year,” Moor said. 

And if the auction gift basket list is any indication, they may just accomplish that goal.

Organizers Cassandra Dickerson and Leesha Floyd said everyone from iStar – the master waterfront redeveloper, to the popular Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten have donated items for the auction.

Below is a snapshot of some of the gifts on the table:

Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten gift

Hot Mess Studio gift

Wegmans $200 Gift Card

Cookman Avenue Basket

Boardwalk Basket

A City Basket

Stone Pony Basket

Bowling Package at the Lanes for 6 [Includes a $50 Food & Drink certificate]

Custom made Beach Bags [with Tillie Towels and beach accessories]

A One Night Stay at the New Asbury Hotel

Four Yankee Tickets

A Beach Basket With Two Seasonal Beach Passes

Restaurant Gift Cards

A Belmar Basket

Two Sea Hear Now Festival Passes

A $200 Room Credit for the Empress

Passes for Gramercy Theater and Irving Plaza in New York City

Local band Des and the Swagmatics will headline the country-themed evening, complete with a fireworks display and honors going to Asbury Park Press Publisher Tom Donovan, Triumphant Life Church’s Traci Akins, and Johnny Mac House of Spirits owner Mary Christine McGillion.

The evening begins with a 6 to 7 p.m. open bar and buffet style fare. Tickets are $85, available via at City Hall – located at 1 Municipal Plaza, or at the door on Thursday.

Donation checks can be made payable to: Asbury Park Recreation Trust Account, Attn: Leesha Floyd, Recreation Director, 1 Municipal Plaza, Asbury Park, NJ 07712.

For more information, contact Leesha Floyd at 732-502-5755, Cassandra Dickerson at 732-502-5759, or visit the city’s website at cityofasburypark.com.

—————————————————————————————————

Follow the Asbury Park Sun on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Asbury Park Sun is affiliated with the triCityNews newspaper.

---