Long Branch Readying For Oceanfest July 4th Celebration

Long Branch's annual Fourth of July celebration, Oceanfest, will be returning for its 23rd year this week.

The free festival will held on Thursday, July 4 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. along the half-mile stretch of oceanfront Promenade between Seven Presidents Park and Ocean Place Resort and Spa.

The destruction of the city's boardwalk south of Pier Village will have no effect on the event, which has always been held in the area north of Pier Village.

The event is co-hosted by the city and the Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce.           

An addition to this year's festival is the New Jersey Hall of Fame traveling exhibit, which will feature images, artifacts, film of New Jersey Hall of Fame inductees.

Oceanfest will also feature live bands, entertainers, sand sculpting demonstrations, and demonstrations by local groups.

The bands will begin playing on the Great Lawn stage just south of Rooney’s Oceanfront restaurant at 1 p.m. This year's performances include Swing Sabrosa, Mad Satta, Rave On, and Golden Seal. Other entertainment will take place at the Garfield Memorial and Promenade Gazebo.   

There will be several food vendors selling crab cakes, zeppolis, seafood paella, lobster rolls and hot dogs. Jewelry, clothing and even dog treat vendors will also be in attendance.

A fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m. with music simulcast on 95.9 The WRAT FM.

The Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce raises all the funds for Oceanfest and the fireworks display, and will be collecting donations from the public to help offset these costs. 

"We are very thankful that our main sponsors have continued to support this event, but donations from public have been generous and very helpful," Executive Director of the Chamber Nancy Kleiberg said in a release. 

Donations can be sent to the Chamber office at 228 Broadway (PO Box 628), Long Branch, NJ 07740.

For more information on Oceanfest, contact the Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce at 732-222-0400 or Allen Consulting at 732-946-2711.