Day Trip to Belmar, New Jersey

For those who know and love the Jersey Shore, the month of May marks the unofficial start of the summer season. Sun and surf, music and merriment, food and festivals, boardwalks and beaches – these are the things that make up so many special memories of summers at the shore. This year, those memories are sure to be even more precious, and with the diligent post-Superstorm Sandy recovery and rebuilding efforts that continue up and down the coast, it’s important for everyone to know that “THE JERSEY SHORE IS OPEN” and ready to make new memories. Now that the warm weather has returned and summer is in the air, why not fill your seasonal calendar with day trips to all your longtime favorite Jersey shore towns or explore new ones? True, they may not be exactly the same as you remember from last summer; but now, more than ever, they need as much Jersey Strong support as possible to help them come back even better than before!

Belmar, for instance, has been busily rebuilding its boardwalk, with much of the funds coming from a successful “Buy a Board” campaign that has generated donations from all around the world. In a three-month period alone, from November to March, the initiative raised over half a million dollars to offset the reconstruction costs. As of the end of March, the official reopening date of Belmar’s boardwalk and beach was tentatively planned for May 22, just in time for Memorial Day weekend, with a special celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the joyful occasion.

With bragging rights for having been voted the #1 beach in Monmouth County and #5 in the state, Belmar already boasts a busy calendar of events for the upcoming months that you won’t want to miss. Among them is the delectable 27th Annual New Jersey Seafood Festival, one of the top food festivals in the country, to be held June 7 through June 9 at Silver Lake Park, Fifth and Ocean Avenues. For seafood lovers, this three-day event is a paradise of the palate, with every variety of shrimp, crab, lobster, clam, and other seafood dish imaginable – plus a few more exotic choices such as alligator sausage –  served up by dozens of the area’s finest restaurants and food vendors. Wash it all down with selections from the wine and beer garden, then stroll among the crafters and vendors to find that unique memento of a perfect day.  

On June 29, Belmar will recognize all those who serve at 2013 Military Appreciation Day, to be held from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Fifth Avenue Beach. All active military personnel and their families are invited to enjoy free beach access, a barbecue, and DJ entertainment at this well-deserved day at the beach.

Also returning is the family favorite 27th Annual New Jersey Sandcastle Contest on July 17 (rain date is July 31) from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the 18th Avenue Beach. Judging begins at 12:00 noon. This is New Jersey’s largest sandcastle and sandsculpting event. Competition is free and open to participants of all ages, with three prizes awarded in six categories: ages 7 and under, ages 8 to 11, ages 12 to 15, age 16 and up, family, and day camps. There is also a “Best on the Beach” award given to the best sandy sensation. This is a fun day at the beach that is not to be missed, with free giveaways, drinks, snacks, music, and astounding demonstrations of sandsculpting artistry. Go to www.njsandcastle.com to find out more.

Looking for yet more festivities in this seaside town? There will also be the Feast of San Gennaro at the Jersey Shore, scheduled for September 7 and 8 on Main Street, between 10th and 12th Avenues. You don’t have to be Italian to enjoy this celebration of Italian food, wine, music, dancing, and culture, beginning with the traditional procession of the statue of San Gennaro. Updates can be found at www.feastofnj.com.    

Everyone knows about tales of buried treasure on beaches. If you’d like to go on a treasure hunt of a different kind, Belmar will also be having a Town-Wide Yard Sale this month, on the weekend of May 18 and 19.   

Of course, you never need a particular reason to head to the beach; all that’s required for a perfect summer day is sunshine, sand, and surf. Belmar’s season beach badges, giving unlimited access for the entire summer, have been on sale since December, and can be purchased at Borough Hall, 601 Main Street, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Regular season badges are $50 each and seniors, age 62 and older, pay $15 each. The daily rate for the 2013 season will remain at $7 per adult, per day. Children ages 15 and younger, as well as active duty military and their families, are free. As of the middle of spring, preseason beach pass sales were up by nearly 50 percent – no doubt a tremendous show of support and confidence from thousands of hopeful visitors who are counting down the days till summer in their favorite Jersey Shore town.

Stay updated on all things Belmar by visiting www.visitbelmarnj.com or www.belmar.com.