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Ahead of this weekend’s Jersey Devil Festival, taking place in Asbury Park, the Asbury Park City Council recognized Paranormal Books & Curiosities Kathy Kelly for producing event.

In reading from a proclamation, Deputy Mayor Quinn said they encourage residents and visitors to learn more about the historic folklore reported by the indigenous Lenape Indian tribe and colonists.

“The Jersey Devil Festival [will] celebrate history, heritage, folklore and the big yarn while introducing people to our fair city, its businesses and parks,” Quinn said. “Asbury Park is a city that values community and possesses a devilish spirit of good old fashioned fun. Asbury Park is universally acknowledged as a place of supernaturally talented artists, artisans, craftsmen, musicians and tall tale tellers.”

The two-day event kicks off 7:30 p.m. Friday with the 20th Anniversary screening of the found-footage classic ‘the Last Broadcast’ at The Showroom Cinema, located at 707 Cookman Ave.

“This is extremely exciting for me,” Kelly said. “When I originally conceived the idea of the festival I immediately wanted to find a way to commemorate this film. It’s not only iconic story telling, it changed filmmaking. It’s a fitting return to the legend that spawned a $900 digital motion picture that made cinematic history.”

The Last Broadcast follows a convicted serial killers search through the Pine Barrens for the Jersey Devil.

Filmmakers Stefan Avalos and Lance Weiler, who will be on hand for a post screening Q&A, are known for their groundbreaking decision to shoot the documentary-style feature entirely on consumer-level digital video. They were among the first to edit and render a feature film by using a desktop software suite. While common practice today, 20 years ago it changed how films were made, Kelly said.

“These two guys from Jersey created a whole new way to make movies and to tell stories; and they used our state legend to do it,” she said. “I can’t think of a better way to start The Jersey Devil Festival.”

The night will begin with the screening of the selected short winners, Kelly said. “Two New Jersey filmmakers were chosen from the contest submissions, which was open from January to the second week in March.

“Paranormal and The ShowRoom Cinema are two entertainment destinations that make downtown Asbury Park unique,” said Michael Sodano. “And this event is destined to be like no other in the State.”

By noon Saturday, the devilishness returns for a full schedule of fun and mayhem. Artists, authors, storytellers, and a Jersey Devil Hall of Images exhibit are a part of the lineup, all free and open to the public at Paranormal Books & Curiosities, located at 621 Cookman Ave.

There will be a Poster Contest, Tattoo Contest, Best Story Contest, Art, Music, and The Jersey Devil may reveal himself, organizers say.

In addition, there will be a few lecturers and Paranormal’s signature Walking Tours will be offered free of charge.

Watch for the Town Crier, who will announce The Jersey Devil sightings throughout the day and read a special proclamation. You can add your name to the Jersey Devil Family Tree by clicking here.

Attendees are encouraged to don horns and hooves or dress up as they choose for the 6 p.m. ‘Summoning,’ and special end of day surprise.

“We want people to keep enjoying these tales, to keep exploring them and sharing them,” Kelly said. “We want families to come and have fun. The Jersey Devil was born in the Pine Barrens and that is his home- but Asbury Park is a great place to visit.”

In the end, Mayor John Moor, in thanking Kelly for producing the family fun event, recalled how as a child he and his friends went in pursuit of the legendary local folklore.

For more about the Jersey Devil Festival, visit paranormalbooksnj.com. For tickets to the 7:30 p.m. Friday Film Festival, visit www.theshowroomap.com; seating is limited.

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