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Another one of Asbury Park’s long-standing events is headed to more southern Jersey shores.

The organizer of Sandblast Weekend,  a collection of parties and events held in Asbury Park geared toward the LGBT community,  has announced the festival’s move to Atlantic City this year, according to Tom Gilmour, the city’s director of economic development.

“Brad Hurtado, the creator of Sandblast Weekend sent me an email yesterday to inform me the event is headed to Atlantic City this year on the heels of the Garden State Film Festival,” announced Gilmour in an email sent early Thursday morning.

“Sandblast played a significant role [in] establishing Asbury Park as a place that welcomed all,” Gilmour said.

Sandblast weekend was launched ten years ago as “Road Trip.” The small party weekend “encouraged gays to come to the city to check out our real estate” and eventually evolved into a major four day event, Gilmour said.

This year’s Sandbast weekend takes place July 18-20, according to the event website.

In August 2013, organizers of the Garden State Film Festival announced their move to Atlantic City after hosting the event in Asbury Park’s Paramount Theatre for 10 years.

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[Photo at top is of the 2012 Sandblast beach party, courtesy of Brad Hurtado.]

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