Long Branch for their 22nd annual Oceanfest on Wednesday, July 4th, 2012. The free festival runs from 10 in the morning to 10 at night, rain or shine, along the half mile stretch of oceanfront Promenade between Seven Presidents Park and the Ocean Place Resort Spa. The Oceanfest finale is a spectacular fireworks display over the ocean at 9:00 pm.
The details have not been updated for the festival this year, but here is what was featured in the past. We will update this article as soon as we get new information.
Archived information from previous years:
Long Branch’s Oceanfest celebration will feature a wide range of events and activities for the entire family. You will find strolling entertainers, clowns, stilt walkers and costumed characters. There is also a very popular sand sculpture area, where you can watch master sand sculptors at work on intricate and odd constructions of amazing variety.
There will be children’s performances at the Garfield Memorial from 11 AM to 4 PM. There will be live entertainment throughout the day at the Stage on the Great Lawn (Just south of Rooney’s Oceanfront restaurant). Children will delight in the pirate and safari themed shows while the adults will enjoy the great sounds of Swing Sabrossa (3 to 5 PM) and the Bob Burger Band ( 7 to 9 PM).
Oceanfest also offers arts, crafts and vendors along the Promenade featuring everything from original handcrafted jewelry, clothing and decorative garden ornaments to gourmet dog treats and straw hats. Pier Village is right next door, with great shops and restaurants of every type.
The Long Branch Department of Recreation will sponsor a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament held in the southern most parking lot at the Ocean Place Resort. It’s limited to 16 teams and starts at 10:00 a.m. Winners will get a trophy, basketballs and a gift certificate to a local establishment. Those interested in participating can contact the Recreation Department at 732-571-6545 to register.
Long Branch offers a wide swath of pristine beachfront, and Oceanfest is bounded by Seven President’s Park to the north and the luxurious Ocean Place Resort & Spa and the adjacent Pier Village to the south. Visitors staying at the Ocean Place Resort can use the hotel’s beach facilities, which include lounge chairs and sun shades. In 2011 admission was $7.00 for adults from 18 to 61 years of age and $3.00 for those 13 to 17 years of age. Admission was free for children 12 and under. Coolers were welcome on the beach, although glass containers are not permitted. However, if you want to really relax, you can enjoy some of the food that will be available. You will find everything from crab cakes to zeppolis, seafood paella to lobster rolls and lots in between.
Once the sun sets, it’s time for the spectacular finale! One of the largest fireworks displays at the Jersey Shore, you’ll want to plan your seat early; make reservations for the Ocean Place Resort’s famous outdoor BBQ, visit one of the restaurants along the oceanfront, or just grab a spot of sand on the beach to enjoy the show. The fireworks display starts at 9:00 p.m. and Radio Station 95.9 The WRAT will provide a musical simulcast.
For more information contact the Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce at 732-222-0400 or visit the new Oceanfest website.
