The Asbury Park Oysterfest - A True Community Event

Aug. 14, 2012 - PRLog -- Asbury Park, NJ – The Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce presents the 2012 OYSTERFEST, a three-day culinary event featuring oysters, seafood festival fare and fun for all in the heart of the hippest city on the Jersey Shore. This year's event will be held at the east end of Cookman Ave linking our dynamic downtown with our beautiful waterfront & boardwalk. A weekend of events at Oysterfest and throughout the community make Asbury Park THE place to be Sept 7th -9th.

HIGHLIGHTS & COMMUNITY EVENTS

Friday night - The festival kicks off with "Asbury Park Open House at Oysterfest" - Residents, fans & the whole community are invited! Enjoy FREE admission and discounts on beverages and food. A celebrity dunk tank will add to the fun featuring Mayor Ed Johnson, AP Chamber of Commerce Director Jackie Pappas & other celebrity guests! Funds raised from the dunk tank will benefit the Asbury Park Mayor's Ball Foundation Scholarship program. Live vacation music performed by Tropical Impulse will create an endless summer groove.

Saturday – Check out all Asbury Park has too offer on the way to a fun-filled day at OYSTERFEST. The Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the annual Citywide Sidewalk sale Saturday from 11am to 6pm. “A great walk down Cookman Ave from the train station to the festival with lots to see. Oysterfest guests can spot treasures on sale at local retailers urban modern Shelter Home, nostalgic retro Flying Saucers, chic Foolish Ginger and sleek Robert Legere Home – just to name a few” notes Mike Hollemans of The Passion Group, the local event management firm working with the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce to help facilitate Oysterfest.

Sunday – We are celebrating the diversity of music! The Oysterfest main stage will start the day with soulful artists from our historic west side. Next up we’ll have rising star Matt Wade to knock your socks off with his soulful blues-based rock and roll. If you’re a little bit country, you’ll want to stick around for The Suburban Hillbillies. Stay the whole day – there will be music for everyone!

Scavenger Hunt – Saturday & Sunday – Oysterfest Guests can pick up an ‘AP Scavenger Hunt Sheet’ at the Chamber Visitor Trailer located inside the festival. Free to enter, Oysterfest Scavenger Hunters can visit 10 local businesses on Saturday or Sunday to uncover a secret word at each. Fans that collect the day’s 10 secret words and submit their completed sheet to the Chamber have a chance to win a 2013 season beach badge & $10 smart card for parking in Asbury Park. “Oysterfest is a great weekend to visit Asbury Park; the festival brings new fans to our great city and offers the chance to discover restaurants, unique shops and more. Participating in the AP Scavenger Hunt helps support an amazingly creative business community that help make Asbury Park a cool place to visit year-round”, said Jackie Pappas, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce. Two winners will be chosen at random each day (details & complete rules available at festival).

Food & Beverages – Oysters, seafood & traditional festival fare available from over 20 vendors. Beer, wine and fun soft drinks available throughout the festival.

Crafts – More than 60 vendors offer art and more to explore. Great gifts and treasures from local & unique vendors make the festival an all-day event.

Music- Over 20 bands & a diverse music scene featured throughout the weekend. Please visit www.apoysterfest.com for a complete music line up.

Kids –  12 years and younger (FREE admission). Fun food, activities and rides for children of all ages.

Dogs – Oysterfest and Asbury Park are dog-friendly!

The festival runs September 7th – 9th at the east end of Cookman Ave.  Friday night (FREE), 5:00pm-8:00pm; Saturday, Noon – 10:00pm and Sunday, Noon-6:00pm. There is a $5 entry fee; a portion of the entry-fee proceeds go to The Asbury Park Mayor's Ball Scholarship Foundation.

The Asbury Park Mayor's Ball Foundation has awarded over $60,000 in scholarship grants and educational stipends to Asbury Park students who attend area colleges, universities and technical schools.

The Asbury Park Oysterfest is one of the major events presented by The Chamber of Commerce to raise awareness and support for Asbury Park and the business community.