Family fun at 30th Clearwater Festival

The 30th annual Clearwater Festival will take place Aug. 20 and 21 in shady Sunset Park near the ocean in Asbury Park.

The festival will have something for everyone in the family including live music, crafts, storytelling, food, exhibits, a children’s area and much more.

Soozie Tyrell of the E Street Band, Gary US Bonds and Willie Nile are among the headline performers. The program features national and local musicians and singers on two stages in styles ranging from rock, blues and jazz to folk, ethnic and gospel.

There will also be an audience participation Circle of Song that will present, in a round robin manner, the songs of Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, Phil Ochs, Clearwater songs, songs of peace, sea chanties, Jewish soul music, and more.

Environmental exhibits will provide an opportunity for learning about natural resources, environmental groups will have information on their protection efforts, and “green vendors” will offer products for sale. Handmade crafts will also be on sale.

The festival will run from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. on both days in the park which is convenient to the NJ Transit Asbury Park and Allenhurst train stations. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and over. The event is wheelchair accessible throughout and sign language interpreters will be available.

Inspired by folksinger Pete Seeger’s early call to end water pollution and named for his sloop Clearwater, the Monmouth County Friends of Clearwater is a nonprofit education and advocacy group that began the festival on Sandy Hook in 1975. The group plans a special tribute to Seeger as part of the anniversary program.

Environmental groups, vendors, crafters and volunteers who are interested in participating should call (732) 872-9644 or access the MCFC Web site www.clearwatermc.org.