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“the fireworks are hailin over Little Eden tonight.” *
So the little yellow ball in the sky finally makes its debut and off we go. I noticed everyone was feeling much better this week. So enough of this pouting and complaining, let’s party!
I always get a record number of “out of the office” replies during the week before the 4th of July, so I’m guessing most of you have already started your celebration. As usual, Asbury Park has put together a line-up of festivities that rival any other city in the US.
Yesterday, the city held its reorganization meeting and the City Council elected Ed Johnson as Mayor and John Loffredo as Deputy Mayor. Special thanks to Kevin Sanders and Jim Bruno who led and guided the city for the past eight years. Well done!
Clean Ocean Action hosted its annual Ocean Independence Day at Langosta Lounge and gave Asbury Park a special award for its leadership role in protecting our oceanfront. I was honored to accept a special recognition award for the APUEZ’s role in helping the city restore the beach. But the real hero here, is the city’s Department of Public Works who maintains and staffs the beach. Only in Asbury Park!
So, the city’s 4th of July celebration gets the headline this week. The traditional city parade kicks things off at 1 PM on Saturday. This is a great parade that has grown every year. I’m quite proud to share, I was chosen to be this year’s MC so stop by the judge’s stand and say hello. Come check out some great bands, antique autos and award-winning floats. It’s also First Saturday in the downtown. Festivities start around 6 PM. This month there will be a strolling magician, balloon artist, banjo player, stilt walker, and face painting. Live music will be provided by Circle round the Sun. Our unique shops will be open late. No charge for parking in the Bangs Avenue garage. Then, the Jersey Shore’s most spectacular fireworks will rocket off at 9:30 PM. *This show will be one for the books. One great show shot from two locations. This is the romantic night in Asbury Park that Bruce immortalized. Only in Asbury Park!
Also this weekend!
Thursday, July 2nd: Asbury Park Concert Band in the Grand Arcade at Convention Hall - Children’s Program Patriotic Music at 7 PM.
Doggy Yappy Hour at the Wonder Bar.
Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes at the Stone Pony
Friday, July 3rd: Juke Joint Johnny & the Usual Suspects at Tim McLoone’s Supper Club.
Saturday, July 4th: Mary McCrink at the Salt Water Beach Café.
Gas House Gorillas at the Wonder Bar.
Asbury Park Vintage Flea Market at the historic Carousel building 10 AM to 6 PM.
Save the dates:
7-17: Chill-out Jazz Series at the AP Transportation Center
7-23: ArtsCAP Annual Meeting
8-15: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones at the Stone Pony.
9-5: The Black Crowes at the Stone Pony
Asbury Park Public Library 7th Annual Summer Reading Club will take place from July 6th to July 31st. This program is available for children from kindergarten and up. The program runs from Monday thru Friday 1 to 3 PM. Applications are available at the AP Library, 500 First Avenue. Call the Children’s Librarian at 732.774.4221 for details.
Heaven Art and Antiques, 721 Cookman Avenue, will host its long anticipated Grand Opening on Saturday, July 4th from 11 AM to 10 PM. A special exhibit “Natural Abstractions” by Ivy Rutzky will be displayed until Sunday, August 30th, 2009. Not to be missed.
Rumor has it, the APUEZ Main Street Farmers Market will open this weekend on Saturday 8 AM to 1 PM. All this rain has delayed the arrival of “Jersey Fresh” produce. Stay tuned!
There are still some tickets available for Revision Theatre’s presentation of Steven Brinberg as Barbara Streisand in Funny Girl, Saturday, July 11th at the Paramount Theatre. Go to www.RevisionTheatre.org or call 732.455.3059 for tickets and info.
Check out the latest AP apparel movement at www.iheartap.com for a whole new line of “I Heart AP” shirts. Show your Asbury love. This project is a passion play by Asbury’s own M Studio & The Conover Agency. So, only in Asbury Park!
Invite all your friends and cool relatives to the city. Here’s our latest lodging list:
Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel
1401 Ocean Avenue 732.776.6700
Empress Hotel
101 Asbury Avenue 732.693.5022
Hotel Tides Restaurant & Spa
408 Seventh Avenue 732.897.7744
Mikell’s Big House
405 Fourth Avenue 732.869.0988
Sixth Avenue House
306 Sixth Avenue 732.361.6609
Fireworks, Fabulous Food, Fine Furnishings, Frank’s, Fancy, Fitness Lifestyles, Fins, Flying Saucers Retro Kitchenware, Fantasy, Footsteps in Paradise, Fourth of July, FS/20, Family, Mr. Fashion, Filigrees, AP Fire Department, Films, Not So Fancy, Facades, Faith, Friday Nights, Fascinating - just Fun! Only in Asbury Park!
Weekends don’t get any better than this one and you can’t find any better weekends than those in Asbury Park. Wishes for a great one!
Tom Gilmour
Director of Commerce and Good Times |
