Seafood festival to be held in Belmar

The 29th annual New Jersey Seafood Festival will be held June 12-14 at Silver Lake Park on Ocean Avenue in Belmar. The festival will feature live entertainment, children’s activities, crafters and artisans, and a selection of fresh seafood and other delicacies.

Festival hours will be 4-8 p.m. June 12, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. June 13 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. June 14.

Admission is free to the rain-or-shine festival, and visitors can purchase seafood offerings from more than 45 of the area’s best restaurants and food vendors. There will be fireworks over the ocean during the evening of June 12.

Ocean Avenue will be closed to traffic between Fifth and Sixth avenues. Those age 21 and older can enjoy drinks at the Leinenkugel beer garden and Barefoot Bubbly wine tent adjacent to Silver Lake and the gazebo.

Musicians and bands will provide live entertainment throughout the weekend, including the Danny White Band, VOODudes, Kieran, Dave and Friends, HOLME, Shore Blues, Pat Roddy Band, Blackberry Blues Band and the Manasquan High School Jazz Band. Visitors are encouraged to bring blankets and beach chairs to enjoy the music.

Free parking will be available in Belmar’s downtown district, the municipal parking lot at Fifth Avenue, the Belmar Marina at 10th Avenue and Dempsey Park on 16th Avenue. Free shuttles will run continuously from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. June 13 and 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. June 14 with stops at the marina, NJ Transit train station, parking areas and the downtown district.

For more information, call 732-681-3700, ext. 214, or visit www.visitbelmarnj.com. For sponsor or vendor information, contact [email protected].