The 24th annual Oceanfest celebration will take place on July 4, rain or shine.
An Independence Day tradition in Long Branch, the free, familyfriendly festival runs 10 a.m.-10 p.m. along the half-mile stretch of the oceanfront promenade between Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park and the Ocean Place Resort & Spa.
The festivities will end with a fireworks display over the ocean at 9 p.m.
The event is co-hosted by the city of Long Branch and the Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce.
Visitors will enjoy live bands, strolling entertainers, sandsculpting demonstrations, and music and demonstrations by local groups.
Bands will play on the Great Lawn stage beginning at 1:30 p.m. with Mad Satta, followed by bands Valarie Adams & the Dimensions, Rave On and Cashmere.
Anytime Dancers and Praise Dancers will perform on the Great Lawn Stage beginning at 11:30 p.m. Other entertainment will take place on the Garfield Stage, where a pirate show, Oceans of Rhythm, Capoeira Sol Nascente, and Long Branch and Friends will be featured.
Strolling entertainers include clowns, a stilt walker, jugglers, superheroes and other costumed characters, and a juggling unicyclist.
The festival offers a large variety of foods. Dozens of crafters and vendors will sell items, including handcrafted jewelry, clothing, decorative garden ornaments, gourmet dog treats and straw hats.
Oceanfest sponsors include Monmouth Medical Center, Monmouth University, Ocean Place Resort & Spa, XFINITY and others.
For more information, contact the Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce at 732-222-0400 or visit oceanfestnj.com.