Skate and Surf Festival returns to Asbury
Thousands expected at two-day showcase
The City is readying for the return of the Skate & Surf Festival Saturday and Sunday at Bradley Park and Ocean Avenue.
Over 40 bands will perform on four stages, including headliner Dropkick Murphys [photo at right courtesy of event organizers] 
and The Gaslight Anthem [photo below], respectively on Saturday and Sunday evenings.
Organized by famed promoter John D’Esposito, the festival began in 2001 and over the following decade grew into the popular Bamboozle Festival, Mayor John Moor said. This year’s event is a return to the festival’s roots, he said.
“Johny D.’ started off in the late 1990s,” Moor said. “He was a head of the curve when he started Skate and Surf.”
Organizers are expecting an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 people. There will also be a Half Pipe competition sponsored by Red Bull and a Legends of Wrestling event, said Tom Gilmour, Director of Economic Development.
D’Esposito said he is grateful and excited for the return of what he calls an artist development platform, with many of the performers fighting through competitons to make it to the festival stage.
“People should understand the local flare of the lineup,” D’Esposito said.
D’Esposito said Bradley Park will feature two stages as well as the wrestling and skateboard events. There will be a third stage on Sunset Avenue and two stages in front of the Berkeley Hotel on Ocean Avenue.
Saturday’s lineup includes: Thrice, The Wonder Years, The Story So Far, Motionless in White, Attila, MeWithoutYou, Four Year Strong, Nora, Big D & The Kids Table, Chuck! No, Captain Chunk!, Fireworks, Cancer Bats, Hit The Lights, Terror, Defeater, Diamond Youth, Superheaven, Iron Chic, Elder Brother, Sorority Noise, Steady Hands, Alcoa, Rozwell Kid, Light Years, Souvenirs, A Will Away, and Goodbye Tiger.
Sunday’s lineup includes: Manchester Orchestra, The Front Bottoms, Poison the Well, From Autumn to Ashes, Hot Rod Circuit, Acceptance, Cloud Nothings, Modern Baseball, The Parlor Mob, Kevin Devine & the Goddamn Band, Small Brown Bike, Gates, Dads, Piano Become the Teeth, The So So Glos, Pentimento, Gideon, Beach Slang, Major League, Aaron West [Acoustic], The Weaks, The Scandals, Rebuilder, Head North, Runaway Brother, and Spraynard.
For tickets or more information, visit the Skate and Surf website.
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