Second Annual Asbury Park Day

Asbury Park

Second Annual Asbury Park Day

A Day to ‘Keep The Conversation Going’ from the West to the East Side

By Michelle Gladden

Asbury Park Day returns Saturday at various locations across the the 1.4 mile community and organizers have themed it as a day to ‘Keep The Conversation Going’ from the West to the East side.

Although recently named the coolest small town in the nation by Budget Travel and the Jersey Shore’s hippest town by The Manual, it has been riddled with a generational economic inequity, a failed school system that has made tremendous strides to turn itself around in the past two years, and a perceived systemic racial divide.

This year’s event will honor Rev. David Harrington of Hope Baptist Church. The former IBM employee served on the Long Branch Housing Authority, helped lead the Washington Avenue church through a period of growth, and served on the chaplain’s staff at Jersey Shore Shore University Medical Center.

Created via proclamation by the governing body on June 15, the annual event is organized by west side community members as an inclusive day for all those who call the city home on the fourth Saturday in June.

“Asbury Park Day encourages everyone to celebrate our community through entertainment and education, focused on enhancing the quality of life for all,” event committee member Lynn Humphrey said. “This day will promote the essential bond, and catalyst for the advancement, enhancement, growth and success for the city of Asbury Park. Asbury Park Day is a collaborative community celebration. Asbury Park is a beautiful, diverse tapestry of cultures, faiths, and families. All people who represent the city of Asbury Park are essentially vital to the fabric our community.”

The day begins with an 8 a.m. Keepers of The Dream Breakfast at Trinity Episcopal Church, located at 503 Asbury Avenue.

From noon to 6 p.m. Love Thy Neighbor Day at Deliverance Temple [504 Prospect Ave] will feature a free food and clothing giveaway, as well as healthcare screenings and a Gospel Concert. From 1 to 4 p.m. there will be a bicycle rodeo sponsored by Meadowlands Transportation Brokerage Corporation, more commonly known as Meadowlink or EZ Ride.

From noon to 6 p.m. a Day of Unity will be held in Springwood Avenue Park, located at Springwood & Atkins avenues. Dubbed the Sounds of the Shore there will be music, food, exhibits and an array of vendors.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. an Open Air Art & More Display will be held in Library Square Park, located at First and Grand avenues. The event features local artists Patricia Arroyo and Larry Walker, as well as demonstrations like the Community Crochet Jam led by Ramekon O’Arwisters as a part of the inaugural Siren Arts exhibit Summer of Radical Love, opening at the Collective Art Tank, located at 529 Bangs Ave. [In case of rain, the Community Crochet Jam will be held at the Collective].

Library Square Park is also headquarters for the Cookman Avenue Scavenger Hunt sign up, led by Lorraine Stone. Prizes will be awarded. At the nearby Atonement Lutheran Church, located at 308 First Ave, there will be a community yard sale.