It’s Memorial Day Weekend at The Jersey Shore!

  

It’s MDW at The Jersey Shore!  Time for festivals, cookouts, parties and BEACHES…that’s what we’re all about!!  Let’s get a jump on the weekend that celebrates our freedom by giving us a moment to relax and reflect with family and friends.  And you know where they will be, down-the-shore.

Here is where the action is:

SEASIDE HEIGHTS

Everything opens this weekend! Come on down to Seaside Heights for fun in the sun! Beaches are open for $5 per person (lifeguards on duty 9 am to 5 pm) Breakwater Beach is now open May 26th-28th from 10 am to 6 pm. Check their website www.casinopiernj.com for updates. 

MONMOUTH PARK

Monmouth Race Park is OPEN!  Sunday, May 27th - FREE Family Fun Day activities including two bounce houses, live music, clowns, face painters, pony rides and more.
All activities take place on the Grandstand side of the track from 12-4 pm.
Admission to the Grandstand is just $3 and children 12 and under are always admitted FREE. All children’s activities are FREE! Enjoy music from The Kootz.

Also, Sunday, May 27th  - food trucks from across the eastern seaboard converge on Monmouth Park for a battle of mouth-watering proportions. Join us for the first ever Jersey Shore Food Truck Wars!  The top food trucks in town (and out of town) will be rolling in to serve up their delicious dishes and try to earn your vote for People’s Choice.  This is one food fight you don’t want to miss! Live music from Rachel Allen will be from 12-4 pm ”On the Green” and brought to you by Thunder106.3FM. 

BLUECLAWS at First Energy Park

The BlueClaws will host two fireworks shows on Memorial Day weekend (May 25 and 27), plus fans can win great “Red, White, and BlueClaws” prizes on May 26th. May 27th is one of just two fireworks/Kids Eat Free games this year.

SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE

Weekend thrills!!  The park hours are 10:30 am – 10:00 pm Friday – Sunday, 10:30 am – 8:00 pm Monday (Wild Safari is open from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm each day).  A 2012 Season Pass is the best way to enjoy Six Flags Great Adventure and Wild Safari. You’ll get unlimited visits to the parks all year, free tickets for your friends, in-park discounts and free admission to Six Flags New England and all of the other Six Flags Theme Parks. Free parking offer extended through May 28!  Visit the website for pricing (varies depending upon 2-park pass, 3-park pass, etc.)

ASBURY PARK

Rock out with Collective Soul at The Stone Pony on Saturday, May 26th.

Fireworks and Splintered Sunlight at The Stone Pony on Sunday, May 27th.

For additional information, click on the links above, and be sure to check out the JSCVB website for additional EVENTS listings at visitthejerseyshore.com.

 

Peace, Sun & Barbeques  ~J

 

Belmar Boardwalk is THE place to be Thursday for JSCVB Summer Kick-off Event

You’ve heard about it, watched the tutorial (hopefully!), recruited your co-workers and friends – now it’s time to be part of the action! Get DTS (Down-The-Shore) for the largest FLASH MOB attempt EVER at the Jersey Shore tomorrow, May 24th, at the 5th Ave. Pavillion on the Boardwalk in Belmar at 4:45 pm.  Arrive early and receive refresher instruction at 4:30 pm.

Join the JSCVB as they Kick-off Summer with local and state representatives in a celebration of the season and the welcomed tourism it brings to our beloved shore.  Bob Hilton, Director of the Jersey Shore Convention & Visitor’s Bureau,will give a brief summary of shore events, along with Grace Hanlon, Director of Tourism for the State of New Jersey and Mayor Matt Doherty of Belmar.  Visitors will have the chance to find out about all of the exciting happenings at the shore.

A Few Reminders for Tomorrow:

EVERYONE is invited! If you are in the tourism or hospitality industry, if you know someone who is, if you love to dance, if you love the Jersey Shore, OR if you like simply want to watch (and take pics!), get to the boardwalk in Belmar and show us your moves!!

WEAR your business t-shirt, and make your co-workers/friends do the same!!
GET YOUR BUSINESS NOTICED!

PRACTICE (OR NOT):

We look forward to seeing you shake it (or watch others shake theirs) in Belmar tomorrow! Let’s Kick-off Summer with a MOB!

Peace, Boardwalks & Beaches ~J

And for more information about this event and other Jersey Shore events, visit:  visitthejerseyshore.com or contact JSCVB Director, Bob Hilton, at director@visitthejerseyshore.com/732.244.9283 

Festivities Continue Day Two of Bamboozle in Asbury Park

Welcome to Day Two of Bamboozle in Asbury Park!!  The Silent Rave after-party on the beach was slammin’ last night, Fishbone rocked The Stone Pony, and Boozlers ended their night with Skrillex on a high-note.

Fishbone at The Stone Pony on Friday, May 18

 

 

Get ready for the Foo Fighters!  Have you heard they’ve been responsible for setting off seismic activity when they play?? (really!)  So, dig your toes in the sand and enjoy a gorgeous 80 degree day in the place where Bamboozle began, the musical mecca that IS Asbury Park.

Silent Rave after-party on the Beach

 

 

Hope you have your shuttle passes, are prepared to stay within the event borders (no re-entry), and plan on making history on the Jersey Shore!

Snap on your wristband, and I’ll see you on the sand:)

Peace, Love & Rock n Roll….~J

JSCVB Summer Kick-Off Event in Belmar – FLASHMOB UPDATE!

Salty air, breaking surf, warm sand – Summer is imminent.  Let’s Kick it off Jersey-Shore style!

Get your beach bod (even if it is a work-in-progress) to BELMAR (Boardwalk & 5th Ave.) on THURSDAY, MAY 24th at 4:45 pm for the JSCVB FREE SUMMER KICK-OFF EVENT!!!

We will be attempting the Jersey Shore’s largest FLASH MOB!

BE A PART OF THE SUMMER FUN!!

The JSCVB welcomes locals, tourism professionals, and all folks from the tri-state area, within driving distance to Belmar, to join our pre-Summer celebration at the shore as a MOB participant! 

CLICK HERE FOR FLASH MOB TUTORIAL…LEARN THE MOVES!

OR TEXT: JERSEYSHORE to 30241

Can’t wait to see you in action!!

For more information about this event (and other Jersey Shore events) go to visitthejerseyshore.com

~J

Flash Mob tutorial

Bamboozle and The Beach

So, it’s almost here (10 days to go!).  You’ve figured out the whole wristband thing, feverishly tried to win tickets on the radio, blocked the weekend of May 18 – May 20 off on your calendar.   You’re ready to rock at Bamboozle on the beach in Asbury Park!

To make the most of this ginormous festival at the beach, a few mentions:

• Don’t Drive!  Forget about parking in Asbury Park, it will be limited.  Use the lots designated on the site thebamboozle.com OR public transportation (you can walk to the boardwalk from the AP train station).  There will be shuttle service and $10 gets you round-trip from Monmouth Raceway.  Ocean Ave. will be closed.
• Parents – get the gps for your teen’s wristband; utilize the parent lounge at The Stone Pony; make sure your teen charges their cell before you go (seems like a no-brainer, but it’s something you don’t want to forget).
• Swimming won’t be allowed, therefore, stay out of the water! The ocean is pretty darn cold in May, by the way.
• There will be a lot for bicycles in the ‘stump lot’ on Cookman Ave. – bikes are always good modes of transportation.
• Be prepared to pay between $5 – $10 for food at the festival.  Also, remember to upload $$ to PayPal to use wristband for purchases.
• After-parties will keep you rockin’ until1:30 am at the Wonder Bar (Anamanaguchi & White Panda), Convention Hall (Skrillex & DJ Pauly D), The Stone Pony (Fishbone & Dramarama), The Stone Pony lot (The Wonder Years), and the Bamboozle Beach Stage (Silent Rave).
• Take note of the public hotline that will be available for festival-goers.   Always a comfort to know there is a contact out there.
• Your safety has been at the forefront – organizers have been holding meetings in Asbury Park and surrounding towns to address the concerns that accompany an event of this magnitude.  Police, Fire Officials, EMT Services – they have had ongoing meetings with concert organizers and there will be an Emergency Treatment Facility located in the Berkeley Hotel Ballroom.

The Bamboozle Festival is an extraordinary event being held in an extraordinary place for its 10th Anniversary.  Enjoy the festival, the beach, and the memories you are about to make by rockin’ out responsibly!

And whatever you do, don’t get Bamboozled;)

Peace, Beach & ROCK!

~J

For additional information, check out thebamboozle.com and click on the links above.  

To find out what else is happenin’ at the Jersey Shore and for Bamboozle weekend hotel/restaurant links, go to visitthejerseyshore.com

Sunday Down the Shore ~ Eats and Arts

Red Bank rocks an International Flavour Festival today, May 6th, from 12 pm to 7 pm. This family-friendly event takes over White Street parking lot with 25 of Red Bank’s favorite restaurants serving international culinary delights including: French, Italian, Asian, Mexican, and more. Of course, drinks will span the globe as well with Heineken, other international brands and wine offered. And, did I mention, two stages of music?! Get out and EAT!

For more info: www.onlyoneredbank.com

The Monmouth Festival of the Arts continues today until May 9th. This unique festival celebrates the arts by offering demonstrations, workshops, childrens programs, and performances by The Monmouth Winds. Tuesday’s celebration of poetry seems especially interesting for those more inclined toward the literary arts.
Enjoy a Sunday of culture at the Monmouth Reform Temple off Exit 109 (Newman Springs Road to Hance Ave.) from 12 pm to 8:30 pm.

Check out their website for more information: www.Monmouthfestivalofthearts.com

And, for more happenings EVERYday  down-the-shore, visit our Events Calendar: www.visitthejerseyshore.com

 

Sun, Surf & Sundays at the Jersey Shore….ahhhhh

~J

 

 

Shore Professionals Turnout for Successful JSCVB Networking Event at Watermark

                   

The first ”official” networking event hosted by the Jersey Shore Convention and Visitor’s Bureau took place last Thursday at the Watermark in Asbury Park.  Professionals congregated for an evening of creating business contacts as the ocean view provided a significant backdrop for the event.  Light hor d’oeuvres and happy-hour priced cocktails (they mix a scrumptious chocolate martini at the Watermark, by the way) were served as leaders in the Jersey Shore tourism market mingled in the oceanfront lounge.

On hand were representatives from several area chambers of commerce, local restaurateurs, and participants from attractions from all over the region.  Seen among the large crowd, taking advantage of this unique networking opportunity: William Clark Cate and Nicole Vuono from JSCVB, Rich Jaroz from Lonekeep, Samantha Johnson and Barb Youchah from the Sheraton Hotel, Vicki Palmer from the Inns of Ocean Grove, Jade Green from Cafe Theatre, Tom Gilmour from the City of Asbury Park, Gary Pollack from Gold Mobil, and Peggy Weil from Travel Leaders, and representatives from Riverlady Cruises in Toms River and Spark Marketing in Red Bank, just to name a few.

Executive Director of the JSCVB, Robert Hilton, addressed those in attendance, stating, “The Jersey Shore Convention and Visitor’s Bureau is the official, and only, State of New Jersey recognized Destination Marketing Organization for Monmouth and Northern Ocean Counties.”  He also announced the forming of a SUPER COMMITTEE to Assess Assets for the region and to actively provide the Meadowlands Region DMO a complete overview of hotels, restaurants, meeting and convention space, conference space and attractions. “We have the ability to highlight the Jersey Shore’s year-round destination opportunities. This information will be used to lure special events business, including the Super Bowl, WWF and the Special Olympics, to our state and region as the Meadowlands DMO has done successfully,” Hilton added. 

The first subcommittee meeting will be held at the Doubletree Hotel in Tinton Falls-Eatontown at 700 Hope Road on May 10, 2012 at 5:30 pm (the meeting will last about 1 hour).  This is a once-in-a-lifetime Strategic Planning session.  To attend, you should be a core tourism business or non-core tourism business.  You should have an asset that is notable, and provide the public some form of hospitality.  Also, you must support the JSCVB and tourism in our region. 

Overall, the evening was an enormous success for businesses, particpants, and Jersey Shore hospitatliy and tourism as a whole.  The JSCVB plans on holding more of these events as it allows for those in the industry to connect who might not otherwise, as well as informing businesses of how they can benefit from becoming a member of the JSCVB.

About the Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau

Discover your Jersey Shore destination with help from the Jersey Shore Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. The JSC&VB is the fastest growing destination marketing organization in New Jersey, promoting the Jersey Shore region as a destination for individuals and families, businesses and organizations, and meeting and travel planners for both domestic and international markets. The JSC&VB is the official provider of information on the people, places and events that make the Jersey Shore a prime travel destination. For more information, visit http://www.visitthejerseyshore.com/ or call Executive Director, Robert Hilton at 732-244-9283.

The Bamboozle Festival’s Irresistible Weekend in Asbury Park

 

The excitement of the impending weekend (May 18 – 20), certain to solidify Asbury Park’s presence on the festival map, has reached fever pitch.  The Bamboozle Festival descends on the city in one month, and the scale of this monstrous musical event is almost beyond comprehension.  With 100+ artists, upwards to 50,000 people expected each day, and a boardwalk to be transformed like no other, it is no wonder why the Jersey Shore is buzzing with all things Bamboozle.

We’ve waited (…and waited) for more acts to be announced to the line-up, and they’ve finally given us what we’ve been whining for -
Here are a few of the latest to join in the mayhem:  The Gaslight Anthem (a Jersey favorite), North Korea (ex-Envy on The Coast members), Sammy Adams, Mychildren Mybride, Action Item, The Protomen, and Make Me Famous.  With all of these additional bands, there is no longer a need to decide if Friday (Skrillex, Incubus, etc.), Saturday (Foo Fighters, Blink 182, etc) or Sunday (Bon Jovi, Gaslight Anthem, etc.) is the day to attend, looks like a 3-day wristband is the only way to go. 

Unlike other festivals, The Bamboozle Festival is unique in that it began in Asbury Park (albeit a smaller, more home-grown version).  This marks the 10th anniversary for the Festival, and the milestone conjurs a feeling of pride for those who were there since The Stone Pony beginning.  I’ve already mentioned in a previous blog post about the innovative wristband technology that will be implemented, so be sure to utilize the cool features (gps!) it offers. 

And, last, but certainly not least…the after-parties!  The Stone Pony, The Wonder Bar and Convention Hall will host after-parties with the likes of Skrillex, DJ Pauly D, and many more. Or, if you prefer, relax at a beach bonfire with festival artists.

No doubt, the scope of this festival will definately leave you…bamboozled.

Peace, Love & Music,

~J

P.S. The Bamboozle Bodega in Convention Hall carries merch, tickets & info – Check it out!

 

For tickets and artist info, click on the links above or go to: thebamboozle.com
Also, for additional events at the Jersey Shore, go to: visitthejerseyshore.com

Delectable Deals During Jersey Shore Restaurant Week

   

APRIL 13 – 22

As if you needed another reason to get down-the-Shore, Jersey Shore Restaurant Week is happening. That’s right, a week just for you and your tastebuds!  Enjoy the best food the Shore has to offer by dining out at the region’s most popular restaurants as they offer deals galore!

Foodies, or any hungry Shore-goer who enjoys delicious food, may stop by any participating restaurant, April 13 – 22, for a three course menu ($20.12 or $30.12) with three appetizer, three entrée and three dessert choices.  Spend a little, get a lot!

A few tasty titles that sound enticing to me:  “Shellfish & Chardonnay”, Wed., April 18 at Jack Baker’s Lobster Shanty in Pt. Pleasant Beach, “Burgers, Bloodies & Brews”, Sat., April 21 at Harpoon Willy’s in Manasquan, “Tour d’Porta”, Thurs., April 19 at Porta in Asbury Park, and “Ruffino Wine Dinner”, Fri., April 20 at Buona Sera in Red Bank.

This year, 70 restaurants are participating, including – Sunsets in Neptune, Mossuto’s in Wall, Whispers, Ciao Ristorante, Brickwall Tavern in Asbury Park, Tardi’s Ristorante Italiano and Rod’s Olde Irish Tavern.

Bon Appetit!

Peace, Love & Food, 

~J

 

For tickets or additional  information about Restaurant Week, click on the links above or go to jerseyshorerestaurantweek.com.

 

As always, find out about what’s happening in the shore region by visiting visithejerseyshore.com and clicking on ‘Events’.