HIGHLANDS – The Highlands Business Partnership’s 19th Annual Clam Festival will be held Thursday through Sunday – rain or shine – at Huddy Park on Bay and Waterwitch avenues.
The festival features fresh seafood, live entertainment, kiddy rides, games, contests, a beer and wine garden, and more. Admission and parking is free.
The clam fest will feature a beer and wine garden, sponsored by Shore Point Distributing Company. The midway will be presented by Campy’s Amusements.
Portions of Waterwitch and Bay avenues will be closed to street traffic to accommodate the specialty vendors’ marketplace and the food court with many popular Highlands’ restaurants, including Bahrs, Chilangos, Francesco’s, Lusty Lobster, Moby’s, and Windansea.
Twin Concessions will provide other festival favorites, such as sausage and peppers and cheese steaks. The Highlands Fire Department barbecue tent will have its famous ribs, burgers, hot dogs and more. There will be plenty of novelty foods, including the Lions Club funnel cakes, fruit smoothies and ice cream.
Opening night, 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, will feature Pay-One-Price Bracelet Night, when visitors can enjoy the amusement rides all night. The Jody Joseph Band will perform, and DJ Johnny will emcee the festival and play all your favorite tunes.
Hours are from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, with entertainment by Highlands very own, the famous Carl Gentry Band from 6:45 to 10:45 p.m.
The festival begins at noon Saturday with the Highlands Community Singers featuring their hit, “Happy As A Clam.” Crimson Sky takes the stage at 12:30 p.m., followed by the Bob Burger Band from 3 to 7 p.m. The Jonzes will perform 7 to 11 p.m.
Clamfest hours are noon to 8 p.m. Sunday with Pay-One-Price ride bracelets available from 1 to 5 p.m. The popular Baby Costume Contest, “A Day at the Shore,” directed by Tim Hill, the borough administrator, and the Highlands Department of Recreation will be held at 1 p.m. in Huddy Park. The clam-shucking competition kicks off at 3 p.m., sponsored by Lusty Lobster. The All You Can Eat Clam Contest, sponsored by Certified Clam Company and limited to 20 entrants, will begin at 3:30 p.m. Registration for all contests begins at noon.
The Kootz Band will take the stage at 4 p.m. The Highlands Business Partnership’s “King of the Clam” super 50/50 drawing will be drawn on Sunday.
Clamfest 2013 is made possible with the generous support of sponsors, Seastreak, Comcast NBC Universal, WRAT 95, Frank Rahm Landscaping, Hufnagel Tree Experts, T&M Associates, and the Shore Point Distributing Company.
For more information on the Highlands Business Partnerships events or programs, please call 732-291-4713 or visit www.highlandsnj.com.
