A Jersey Shore January

The Jersey Shore is ready to rock 2012! Are you?  It’s time to hit the ground running, and your passport to an exciting January is right here – Kick off the new year with sizzling shows, cool opportunities to be charitable, and fun winter events for all ages!  A popular music event heats up Monmouth County this month, while a Thomas the Tank Engine display delights kids (okay, and adults;) in Ocean County.  So, get going down-the-shore from beach to boardwalk, inland to inlet, and unleash the New You who resolved to indulge in all the shore has to offer this year!

Luckily, the Count Basie Theatre promises to keep us warm throughout January with hot acts including, David Garrett (1/31 at 8 pm), The Elvis Birthday Bash (1/20 at 8 pm), FREE film series featuring ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ (1/10 at 7 pm), Songwriter’s Workshop with Gordon Brown  (1/20 & 1/27 at 6 pm), and learn Argentine Tango (1/28 at 3 pm)…now, there’s one resolution down!

Shiver on over to Sea Bright to the AOH Polar Bear Plunge (1/08) and take a dip for education.  The Ancient Order of Hibernians organizes this annual plunge to benefit Catholic Education (scholarships, financial aid, etc.)  This year the event will take place at Merri Maker’s Water’s Edge on Route 36.  Registration begins at 10:30 am/Plunge at 1 pm.

You resolved to give more this year, right?  Well, do we have the best way to live up to those resolutions –The 11^th Annual Light of Day event comes to Asbury Park (1/12 – 1/15).  This is your opportunity to be charitable AND rock your philanthropic-heart out!  Over 100 artists will perform at the Paramount Theatre, Asbury Lanes, The Stone Pony and McLoone’s Supper Club to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson’s disease.  Come be a part of something special while supporting a worthy cause!

Bring the kids to Thomas the Tank Hour at Tuckerton Junction Railroad Co. (1/07 at 1 pm) for an hour of all things Thomas! An indoor display and Thomas crafts will keep the kids busy on a cold day, and an admission of only $10 is well worth the nap later.   For more kids’ events that guarantee boredom-free little ones head over to Jenkinsons on the boardwalk in Point Pleasant.  With Marine Mammal Appreciation Day (1/21), Day in the Life:  Animal Keeper (1/16), Toddler Make and Takes (1/10), and ongoing Behind the Scenes Tours, January will become cooler than cool!

Visit the Jersey Shore this January, where you can rock those resolutions!

Holiday Happenings at The Jersey Shore

We were very good this year at the shore, so Santa brought us early gifts!  From unseasonably warm weather to non-stop holiday fun, at the Jersey Shore we’re all about holly and jolly this season!  Our beaches, boardwalks, towns, and trolleys are prepared to take you into the holidays singing…jingle all the way! From Long Branch to Tuckerton, we’re going into December like only the Jersey Shore can – rockin’!

Tis the season for giving, and our shore towns make it fun and easy! Asbury Park’s 2^nd Annual Ugly Sweater Party (Dec. 3at 7pm) at Grand Arcade in Convention Hall will feature ticket giveaways and prizes (94.3 will be there!).  Enjoy live music while you drop off toys, food items, and coats!! The AP boardwalk will also host toy making for kids, plus Santa, every Sat. and Sun. in Dec. at Grand Arcade w/ $3 or non-perishable food donation until Christmas (12 – 2pm). Another way to give, attend The Garden State Philharmonic’s Chorus performance of “Messiah” in Toms River.  Patrons are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy with them as a donation to Toys for Tots®.   Ocean Place Resort & Spa in Long Branch hosts a Wine and Dine Series (Dec. 3 at 7pm, rsvp required) featuring five top NJ chefs. Event proceeds donated to Frances Foundation for Kids Fighting Cancer.

 

Let’s “Deck the Halls” (Dec. 11 at 4pm) at Monmouth University’s Center for the Arts/Pollak Theatre and revel in a Christmas song & dance spectacular!  Also, in Monmouth County, the Premier Theatre Co. presents the classic, “Scrooge”, at the Paramount Theatre (Dec. 8, 10, 11).  Then, wear your holiday green over to Ocean County to experience “Irish Christmas in America” (Dec. 9) at the Strand Theatre, as well as the Riddlesbrood Traveling Theater Company perform “Scrooge – A Christmas Carol” (Dec. 4) at the Strand Theatre in Lakewood! Make your holidays rock even harder and mix traditional holiday with jersey-rock at the Count Basie Theatre, their list of events includes: “Swan Lake” – The State Ballet Theatre of Russia (Dec. 23), “The Nutcracker Ballet” (Dec. 10 -11), and The Holiday Express Christmas Benefit Concert (Dec. 15).  And, something we all could use this time of year, Revision Theatre’s “A Christmas Survival Guide” (Dec. 16 -18), a heart-warming musical about the angst of holiday season performing at The House of Jazz in Asbury Park.  Celebrating their 300^th performance, the Spring Lake Theatre Co. will present “Scrooge” this season (Dec. 2 -17).  Get to Toms River and see a unique show, “It’s Beginning to ‘Sound’ A lot Like Christmas”, (Dec.3) at Ocean County College.  Finally, the Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan is hosting “The 1940’s Radio Hour” (Dec. 1 – 4) including live big band and a holiday favorite, “Babes in Toyland” (Dec. 17 – 19).  These are only a few of the good times to be had at these venues this season, so be sure to check their websites for a complete listing of events.

Festivals, trolleys and tours beat the mall any day!  Hop on, and enjoy the season!  The Ocean Grove VICTORIAN HOLIDAY FESTIVAL features a doll house exhibit with houses & inns tour, and more (Dec. 10 -11), while the Twilight Trolley Tour in the evening views the lights of OG from a Victorian Trolley (4-7pm @ $5 per ride)…and don’t miss their Christmas Tree lighting (Dec. 2).  The Spring Lake Candlelight Christmas Inn Tour (Dec. 3 w/tour 3:30 – 7:00 & tea party 2:30 – 3:30) is one-of-a-kind.  Visit Island Heights for their 28th Annual Christmas in Island Heights Home Tour & Two Craft Shows (Dec. 3) and travel via trolley, $5 one day pass!  Keep going…the 6th Annual Holiday House Tour at the Tuckerton Seaport (Dec. 9) showcases wonderful holiday displays in the Seaport’s Captain House and Tucker’s Island Lighthouse. And don’t miss Christkindlmarkt (Dec. 10 -11) a holiday market and craft fair takes you back in time with horse drawn cart rides at the Seaport.

Visit Ocean and Monmouth County for special holiday parades and events that include lighting up your favorite shore town! In Point Pleasant, see Jenks sparkle! Come to ‘Sea of Lights’ at Jenkinson’s Aquarium for a nighttime display, and on December 10, it’s a holiday Drop & Shop! Leave the kids (5+) to play, tour, and make crafts while you shop from 8am – 1pm!

So, as you light the menorah or decorate the tree, begin planning your holiday at the Jersey Shore, the place to be year-round! (Psst, the Polar Plunge is coming up, get ready to dip in the ocean on the Asbury Park beach in January for bragging rights, plus it’s just way cool!)

 

Happy Holidays!!

 

P.S. While you’re out shopping in Red Bank, Seaside Heights, or one of the other towns that rock,  look for our icon! The JSCVB’s Annual Jersey Shore Icon Contest kicked off Nov. 1^st!!

**And, don’t forget, the Capture the Jersey Shore book is available for gift giving, a stunning coffee table book that represents almost every town. Shore lovers would be thrilled to get one of these beautiful books. They can be ordered now at pre-sale pricing of only $38.95 + Tax and shipping if applicable.  Go to www.buy.capturethejerseshore.com and order your keepsake book today.  Check out the website for some sample pages**

Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau Honor Shore Greats at Annual Big Wave Awards Ceremony

What a night!  The Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau Annual Big Wave Awards honored some of the best tourism people and related businesses along the Jersey Shore.  Six Flags Great Adventure was presented with the Anchor Award,  Lakewood BlueClaws were recipients of the Rising Tide Award, Danny Murphy of Red Bank received the Jersey Shore Icon Award, and the Spirit of the Shore Award was bestowed upon Frank Sementa of D’Jais in Belmar.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was specially presented this year to The Storino Family of Jenkinson’s for their ongoing dedication to attracting visitors to our region.  The family and their business have been instrumental in driving revenue at the shore via tourism.  When considering that tourism alone brings in approximately 12 million dollars and 2 million visitors to Point Pleasant each year, it is obvious that Jenkinsons’ presence is a vital asset to Ocean County, Point Pleasant, and the entire Jersey Shore.

The Storino Family have provided families with entertainment on the boardwalk for over thirty years, anchoring Jenkinson’s as one of the most popular destination spots for locals and visitors.  The JSCVB was honored to recognize The Storino Family of Jenkinson’s for their steadfast efforts to keep tourism thriving at our beaches for the benefit of us all.

We are still open, check out www.visitthejerseyshore.com to get all the great winter events and see how you can get you passport card and enter the Icon Contest to win a 7 day 6 night vacation for four.

The Big Wave Awards Honor Stars of the Shore

Back on  October 19th, the Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau, represented by Director Bob Hilton, came out for a night of celebration at the Second Annual Jersey Shore Big Wave Awards.  Shore businesses, residents, and politicians congregated at Doolan’s Shore Club in Spring Lake in recognition of those who make outstanding contributions to Jersey Shore tourism.  The night commenced with a lively networking cocktail hour preceding  a fantastic dinner and awards presentation.

The highlight of the evening, of course, was the presentation of the awards.  According to the JSCVB, there are countless members of the community who invest in the future of Ocean and Monmouth County, however, a few stand out for their achievements in bringing people together, stimulating the local economy through business and philanthropic deeds:  Six Flags Great Adventure was presented with the Anchor Award, The Lakewood BlueClaws were recipients of the Rising Tide Award, Danny Murphy of Red Bank received the Jersey Shore Icon Award, and the Spirit of the Shore Award was bestowed upon Frank Sementa of D’Jais in Belmar this year.  Local politicians did a tremendous job of handing out the awards, as well as showing their support by being present at this event that is essential in encouraging individuals and businesses to continue contributing to tourism in our region.

It was moving to witness Jenkinson’s and The Storino Family’s acceptance of the Lifetime Achievement Award for their unsurpassed dedication to making the Jersey Shore a premier destination spot.  After having a presence on the boardwalk of Point Pleasant for over thirty years, The Storino Family is well-deserving of such an award.  There is no arguing the importance of tourism at the shore, along with the revenue it brings.  Millions of people visit Point Pleasant each year, making tourism a vital part of the local economy.  It is equally as important to mention how tourist trips to New Jersey, relating to leisure, have been climbing since 2010, with a four percent increase in tourism revenue in Ocean County alone during that year (2011 numbers are not available as of yet.)  The impact of boardwalk attractions, such as Jenkinson’s cannot be ignored, entertainment at the shore accounts for twelve percent of all tourism revenue.  The Storino Family’s popular fixture draws locals and visitors to Ocean County and the Point Pleasant boardwalk with its many attractions that include the aquarium and exciting monthly events calendar.

This writer looks forward to next year’s Big Wave Awards for another chance to see the Jersey Shore come together in celebration of the businesses and individuals who keep our beloved shore economy thriving.

 

contributing writer
Jessica Guica

Six Flags Grape Adventure Wine Festival This Weekend

Six Flags ‘Grape’ Adventure, an exclusive food & wine experience, is happening this weekend!  And you won’t want to miss the food, fun, and sampling of wines from around the great Garden State.  Join foodies and wine connoisseurs as they descend on Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson on November 5^th & 6^th, Noon to 5 pm, for an event that is sure to please the palette.  Participants will enjoy the opportunity to take a safari tour, bid in a silent auction (win an amazing gift basket!), and be on hand for the kick off of the 2012 Jersey Shore Icon Contest!  While you’re sipping and sampling, pick up one of the stunning Jersey Shore photos featured in the Capture the Jersey Shore available for purchase.

The savory adventure continues alongside the safari at The 2nd Annual Jersey Shore Battle of the Chefs Competition on Sunday, November 6th.  Chefs from restaurants all over Ocean and Monmouth County compete in this special event.  So come, and be a part of the action!

Join us for this exciting weekend as Six Flags Great Adventure hosts this one-of-a-kind event sponsored by the JSCVB and the New Jersey Wine Growers Association.

Event is open to all.  Tickets for sampling and safari packages are available.  Please contact the JSCVB at 732.244.9283 or www.visitthejerseyshore.com;
www.sixflagsgreatadventure.com for more information.

Jersey Shore is Recovering From Irene Quickly

Just an update on the Northern Jersey Shore, Monmouth and Ocean Counties, Most of the beaches are open for business and are planning to have all the events and Festivals open this weekend.  Towns like Seaside Heights, Point Pleasant Beach, Asbury Park, Bradley Beach and Ocean Grove all managed to clean up and open today.

The real story here is how the shore towns have cleaned up and open for business in less than a day.  Belmar and Spring Lake are still awaiting the water to recede but as I observed today, a great deal of people were walking the boardwalk and visiting the restaurants.  The major issues were the loss of much of the boardwalk in Spring Lake and the overflow of the lakes between towns as we saw in Lake Como, the lake between Belmar and Spring Lake.  Towns like Atlantic Highlands are still without power but the cleanup is in the process and they will be ready as soon as power is restored.  SeaStreak the fast ferry providing access to the Jersey Shore from 34^th street pier and South Street Seaport in Manhattan is running.  Red Bank faired really well and had a great shopping day.  Many people were in town and making the most of the abundance of sunshine.

Photo Credit & More Information on NJ.com: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/08/jersey_shore_rebuilds_after_hu.html

25 Annual New Jersey Seafood Festival in Belmar

 

Tourism Expo May 18th at Ramada Toms River

Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau and Hotels Unlimited will host a  Tourism Expo and Icon Contest Kick Off on Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 at Ramada Toms River from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. Free Admission, prizes and food. Come see all the Jersey Shore has to offer with a live WPLJ Broadcast, local vendors, a preview of 2011′s spring and summer events and networking.

Directions to Ramada Toms River can be found here. There are some exhibition spaces still available, if you are interested contact Dana Lancellotti at 732-905-2626.

Jersey Shore Tourism Expo and Icon Contest Kick Off

The Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau and Hotels Unlimited will host a Tourism Expo Wednesday, May 18 in the Versailles Ballroom at the Ramada of Toms River. The JSCVB will unveil a new Jersey Shore Icon and introduce a cutting-edge marketing plan to generate a new wave of tourism for 2011 and beyond.

Hosted by Hotels Unlimited at the Beautiful Ramada in Toms River, the expo will feature a live broadcast of WPLJ’s radio show, Tourism Business throughout the Jersey Shore, will feature New Jersey events held throughout the spring and summer, great summer prizes and more. Visitors will have an opportunity to see all that the Jersey Shore has to offer because “That’s New Jersey“!

The icon is a highly recognizable and well-loved representation of summer life at the Jersey Shore.  A Life Guard Stand symbolizes a fun and safe summer. Members of the JSCVB can display the Jersey Shore Icon sign and/or a life-size replica of a Jersey Shore Life Guard Stand at their travel locations.  The JSCVB will have the Icons located all across Monmouth and Ocean county and visitors will be challenged to find the Life Guard Stands and text in or scan a QR code (powered by Shore and Gold mobile) at each Icon location. A Grand Prize will be awarded in September to the visitor that has visited the most icon locations and reported in. As a bonus, prizes will be awarded at random to folks who text or scan in the icons all summer long. Understanding the tough economic times and tight budgets, the icons will offer New Jersey visitors a fun family game at no cost.

EXPO SCHEDULE:

4:00 – 5:00pm Vendor Set Up

5:00 pm Doors Open at Ramada Inn of Toms River 2373 (Route 9, Toms River, NJ)

6:00 – 6:30 pm Press Conference and ICON debut

6:30 – 8:30 pm Networking Reception with cocktails and hors d’euvres

Admission is free for all attendees. Save the date and be part of the action. We look forward to seeing you there!

Vendor tables are available on a first come first serve basis. Members of the Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau will be $25 per table and non-members will be $200 with a free membership to the Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau. Please make checks payable to JSCVB. To reserve your exhibit space please contact Dana Lancellotti at the Ramada Inn and Suites, Toms River, New Jersey 732-905-2626

For more info on the Jersey Shore CVB, visit our “About Us” page on this blog

New Jersey Tourism Marketing Campaign to be Announced at Governor’s Conference This Week

The long-awaited national New Jersey spring-summer tourism marketing campaign will be announced at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism beginning March 23 in Atlantic City. This is exciting news for the Jersey Shore Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (JSCVB) representing Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

The Christie Administration eliminated funding for the Garden State national campaign last spring which included radio, television, newspaper, and an internet pitch to potential visitors.  Tourism based businesses such as the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau kept the momentum going by purchasing radio spots, partnering with the Asbury Park Press, The Star Ledger, Monmouth Ocean Development Council, Currents Magazine, The New Jersey Campground Association and local newspapers. Organizations including the Red Bank Visitors Center, City of Asbury Park, Belmar Tourism Commission, Jenkinson’s Boardwalk and the Seaside Heights Business Improvement District have worked  to inform potential visitors of the attractions on the Jersey Shore.

One of the key initiates in promoting the Jersey Shore region was the introduction of the Passport to the Jersey Shore card which was introduced last spring.  The program is designed to allow visitors, residents, and vacationers the opportunity to take advantage of some heavy discounts while visiting the Jersey Shore.  “The program has been a huge success” says Robert Hilton, Executive Director of the JSCVB.  “It has generated thousands of room nights, increased traffic to restaurants, was responsible for increased attendance at amusements and gave the consumer an opportunity to save substantial dollars increasing the number of visits to their favorite shore destinations.”  After distributing almost nine thousand cards last year the Jersey Shore passport program is growing.  “In 2011 we will print 50,000 passport cards” says Hilton, ”they will be distributed throughout Canada and the Eastern Seaboard.  So far this year we have distributed almost 8,000 passport cards internationally and anticipate distributing another 20,000 over the next 6 weeks.  We will be offering the passport card for sale through a series of non-profits at a reduced rate.”

Tourism generates 38.8 billion dollars for the state, and the four shore counties represent 54 percent of the total tourism revenue or approximately 21 billion dollars.  Tourism creates over 350 thousand jobs and over 9,400 industries are directly impacted. The 2010 numbers are expected to be released at next week’s Governors Conference as well.

In conjunction with WPLJ, the Asbury Park Press, The Star Ledger, Current’s Magazine, CBS, the State of New Jersey Division of Tourism and Brushfire Marketing, New Jersey and Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau will launch a campaign geared towards the traveler for 2011.“When we are done, people will understand there is no place to vacation except the Jersey Shore.  In most cases on just one tank of gas” says Hilton.

JSCVB  will co-sponsor the April 15^th Tourism Luncheon put on by the Monmouth Ocean Development Council at the Breakers Hotel in Spring Lake, NJ.  Featured speaker Grace Hanlon, the Director of New Jersey’s Division of Travel and Tourism will review the states spring marketing campaign in addition to speaking about what’s in store for businesses this 2011 tourism season.  For more information on the luncheon and presentation fax or e-mail reservation forms to MODC, 4814 Outlook Drive., Suite 102 Wall, NJ 07753 Fax (732) 751-8698.  E-mail modcstaff@modc.com; or register on the website www.modc.com