It’s Summerfest Time at the Shore

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POINT PLEASANT – In a summer filled with fun and festivals, the Point Pleasant Chamber of Commerce’s Summerfest, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m Saturday, June 2, invites people to spend the day at Community Park on Beaver Dam Road at Bridge Avenue eating, listening to music and having fun.
In addition to all of the great Jersey Shore foods – including Jersey Fresh seafood, barbecue, roasted New Jersey corn, kettle corn, funnel cakes, zeppoles and boardwalk fries – Summer­fest will showcase Point Pleasant’s own Shore Fresh Seafood, Ralph’s Italian Ice and the Point Lobster Company.
To rinse all that down, there will be a variety of beverages available including a selection of Barefoot Wines, Coors Light, craft beers, nonalcoholic beverages and an all-you-can-drink fountain soda vendor.
The music will begin the morning with Sharon Malone and the National Anthem followed by the Rock-N-Roll Chorus. The group, a voices only ensemble, will sing favorites with a new twist. The cast consists of high school-age singers, trained by staff members including Joe Cantaffa, Fredi Walker-Browne, Eric Thompson, Mary Huhmann, Jess Pomeroy, and Bill Burke. Next in the music lineup will be the band Happy Hour (comprised of former members of the band Irie Sound), followed by the Philadelphia band Under­water Country Club. Next up will be Point Pleasant’s own Matt Wade with his mix of piano, pop and rock. Wade, who won Top Keyboard Player last year at the Asbury Park Music Awards, has been working on his third album. The final band will be Random Test.
Summerfest also will feature family rides and entertainment. Last year, Summer­fest introduced a 40-foot slide and mechanical rides, including the spinning teacups and the gyro-jump. This year a giant Ferris wheel, climbing wall and additional inflatable activities are planned.
Summerfest will continue its tradition of providing free face painting for children plus strolling performers, clowns and balloon artists. A variety of craft and specialty vendors will be on hand, creating an outdoor shopping area.
Among the booths will be representatives of Point Pleasant businesses and institutions, including Wick-it Good, Academy of Dance, Point Pleasant Soccer Associa­tion, Mary Haber Photo­graphy, Fellowship of the Chapel, Point Pleasant Edu­cation Association, Crystal Chiropractic, Point Pleasant Golden Elks Pop Warner, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Genesis Healthcare, The Honey Tree, Point Pleasant Devils, Point Pleasant Hockey Associa­tion, Wal­greens, Stop & Shop, Point Pleasant Police Department Community Watch Program, Diane Turton, The Star News Group, Point Pleasant Bor­ough Branch Library, Point Pleasant Beach Prep Pre­school, New Beginnings Can­cer Support Group, Life Chapel, Turning Heads Color and Design, Point Pleasant Borough PBA 158, Jersey Shore Calvary Chapel, Broad­way Ray, Jersey Soccer Academy, JSA Martial Arts, The Training Room, The Ocean Star and Coombs Chiropractic.
Fest-goers are asked to bring a nonperishable food item for donation to Move for Hunger.
Among the sponsors of the event are Coors Light, Barefoot Wines, Garden State Menu, B98 FM, The Breeze, WRAT, Magic 100.1, Mr. John, Investors Bank, Ocean First Bank, the Lakewood Blue Claws, iPlay America, Encore Events center and the Manasquan Savings Bank.
The Passion Group of Asbury Park is working with the Point Pleasant Chamber of Commerce to help facilitate the logistics of Summerfest.
The rain date is Sunday, June 3.