compete for trophy
Olympics come to L.B. for city’s centennial
Three teams to
compete for trophy
BY CHRISTINEVARNO
Staff Writer
LONG BRANCH — As the world participates in competitive sports at the Olympics in Athens, Greece, Long Branch will be holding its own series of competitive events.
On Aug. 15 from noon until 6 p.m., at the Seashore Day Camp at 345 Second Ave., the city’s centennial committee will be holding the Long Branch Olympics as part of the city’s centennial celebration.
"Being that it is an Olympic year, it sounded like a great idea to have a local version [of the Olympics]," Robin Levin, the president of the Long Branch Historical Association and a chairperson of the Long Branch Centennial Committee, said.
The city’s centennial committee has been planning centennial events for two years to celebrate the city’s establishment 100 year ago. An event has been held monthly since January of this year.
"Each event this year has been a great success, and we are trying to include everyone and have different kinds of activities," Levin said.
This is the first year that the city is holding its own Olympics, and Levin said she is very excited about it.
"This event will have some good, fun competition for the community to enjoy," Levin said.
The Olympics will start at 12:30 p.m. and will include the following events: horseshoes, egg tosses, tube races, bucket brigade, "blow out the candles," a knockout basketball game, dressing relay, and a tug of war.
There will be three teams: the Long Branch police, fire and first aid departments; the Long Branch Recreation department; and the Long Branch City employees and their families.
All the participants of the events will receive a ribbon, and the winning team will receive a trophy that will be displayed at city hall.
"I have already heard that the recreation department feels no one can beat them," Levin said.
"Time will tell."
The families of the city are invited to attend the event and along with cheering for their favorite teams, Levin said, there will be a pool to swim in and food and drinks served.
Tickets for the event will cost $20 for adults, $10 for children ages 10 to 15, $7 for children ages 5 to 9, and youngsters under 5 years old will be admitted free. The admission fee includes activities and hamburgers, hot dogs, corn, salads, desserts, soda and juice.
Beer will be on sale for $1, and wine will be available for $1.50.
Levin said she is hoping this event will be as successful as the winter centennial event of "Hollywood Avenue Squares."
"There is not always time for everyone [in the community] to get together for something for the entire family at a reasonable price," Levin said. "We [the centennial committee and city officials] are hoping for a great turnout."

