Summer 2019 Starts Now With Fantastic Festivals in the Long Beach Island Region of NJ

SHIP BOTTOM, N.J. - April 26, 2019 - PRLog -- Longer days, warm nights certainly supply inspiration to find more reasons to head to shore as the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce members welcome in Summer 2019 with first time and favorite festivals. There is no better way to explore the unique beach culture that makes the Long Beach Island Region resonate with an independent and classic spirit. Memorial Day Weekend may be for the beach, but the weekends before and after are filled with ways to redefine why you are heading back to this energized destination.

Experience some time in the Pines like never before; the epic Carve Wars returns May 4 & 5 at the Tuckerton Seaport from 11am to 5pm .  Witness a full scale chain competition as this early summer festival welcomes carvers from New Jersey, Colorado, and Pennsylvania.  Take in live music while witnessing quick carve demos where giant logs are turned into works of art. Savor some seasonal menu items from delicious on site food trucks and craft beer. All items carved on site will be auctioned off on Sunday. Admission for this 2 day festival is $10 (free for kids under 5 and Seaport Members

Summer cannot come soon enough, for those who cannot wait to get delicious local food favorites will be able to find them in all on spot on May 18. Head to Beach Haven's Bay Village Taylor Avenue Bayfront for a taste of summer at the Beach Haven Seafood Festival and Night Market. Beach Haven Future and the Southern Ocean County Chamber brings fresh seafood, live music and vendor night market to the festival line up. A favorite festival will be appearing early this year  to add a focus on the culinary explosion that is happening in the Long Beach Island region.  This family friendly event will feature favorite restaurants offering made to order menu specialities for sale . There is a $5 admission fee per adult,  12 and under is free; which includes access to the festival grounds and live music stage that will feature Ted Hammock, the Impulsives and The Way Outs. Those over 21, can choose from Guinness on tap along with a variety of other beer and wine.   The event begins at 2pm and will run until 9 pm, and to provide an easy way to take in great bay views, satisfy your summer food cravings and soak in good times with music and access to market style shopping experience.  Tickets need to be purchased at the gate beginning at 2pm, there are no advanced ticket sales for this event.

Jetty's 6th Annual Hop Sauce Festival  is happening June 1  from 11am to 6pm in Beach Haven's Veteran Memorial Park, between Amber & Engleside Avenues where they will present a curated live music line up featuring  RFA, Pine Barons , Black Flamingos and Mercy Union. Enthusiasts attending will enjoy the  local fare, and the best hot sauces, spicy snacks and craft beer. Jetty and Beach Haven's retailer Spice It Up continue to elevate the menu offering a taste of over 50 craft beer flavors. New this year is a bloody mary bar, wine station and youth activities, joining two dozen sauce vendors on site as well as some other spicy provisions that make for perfect pairings and garnishes. Jetty, a B corp and Southern Ocean Made Accredited company, will use a portion of the proceeds for their Oyster Recycling Program, their lead initiative in 2019 which puts oyster shells back into coastal waters. Attendees can also opt in for a morning Tune-up Paddle Race on the bay beforehand presented by another Southern Ocean Made accredited Southend Surf 'N Paddle (http://southendsurfnpaddle.com/). Participating in the race also gets you special admission pricing and an event t shirt. Go to www.hopsaucefest.com for all the details and where tickets can be purchased as General Admission, Beer Tasting, and the Hop Sauce VIP experience.

A first time festival happening on June 1 from 11 to 8pm is Music on the Green taking place at Cuisine on the Green and Atlantis Golf Course in Little Egg Harbor. Kick off summer with an all day music festival that includes free golf and a golfer's open house. Hear live acts all day including Katfish Lucy and Vyntedge Rock n Blues. A wide variety of specialty food, beer and beverages will be available for purchase as well as games for young and young at heart. Tickets $10 in advance;  $15 day of event to benefit the Ocean County Vo Tech Foundation. To purchase tickets go to www.ocvtsfoundation.org

11th Annual Lighthouse International Film Festival brings the film industry and all who love it to beach on June 6-9.  Voted  "One of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World" by MovieMaker Magazine, this home grown festival does not disappoint. From bringing in award winning film makers, diverse schedule of film screenings, after parties, and film maker discussions; this is a cinematic whirlwind take place across the island. Do not miss your opportunity to attend for a day or the entire weekend. Tickets, film screening line up, all access passes and party information is available at http://www.lighthousefilmfestival.org. The Southern Ocean Chamber Visitor Center once again serves at the festival headquarters, where passes are available for purchase as well.

Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce, a globally accredited Destination Marketing Organization is celebrating its 105th summer on Long Beach Island. As area experts, own and operate year round, staffed visitor center. For more information on these dynamic events, or the many activities happening around the LBI Region go to www.visitLBIregion.com, stop at 265 W Ninth Street Ship Bottom or call at 609 494 7211.  Stay connected on social as @LBI Region @southernoceanchamber @theoffiicalLBIchowderfest