By Susan Montgomery
POINT PLEASANT — Ask any borough resident and they’ll tell you it’s not summer until Summerfest happens. And this year, the event’s 26th, is no different.
Amid changing weather reports, town officials and members of the borough’s Chamber of Commerce enthusiastically look ahead to Friday, June 3, when Summerfest 2016 kicks off from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Community Park on Bridge Avenue.
The event continues Saturday, June 4, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“This is the largest successful event in town, people ask for it and look forward to it,” said Eileen McCabe, executive director of the Point Pleasant Chamber of Commerce.
She added that locals look to see their neighbors and the familiar faces of the local business owners in the community, adding that planning for the next year starts the day after Summerfest takes place.
The event, which has added beer and wine as well as music over the past couple of years, had humble beginnings.
“We once started as a street fair,” said Ms. McCabe. “But now the festival’s grown so large — people come from all over and each year we get between 10,000 and 15,000 people who walk in all day and all night.”
Annually, a steady group of volunteers contributes to making the event a success, she said. Gloria DeFalco, chair; Brian Alvarez, chairman; Evelyn DeMaio, vendor coordinator; Joyce Wier, logistics coordinator, and Ms. McCabe, the executive director.
“They come back every year despite the lousy T-shirts,” she joked.
Additionally, the chamber factors in feedback from the businesses and community to help make the coming year’s event an even bigger success.
She said the chamber relies heavily on the feedback of the community to enhance the following year’s event.
For the past two years, Summerfest has been split into two days of celebration. On Friday night, June 3, festivities kick off with music from 6 to 10 p.m. in the park. The music lineup includes the Mike Dalton Band and Mike Jackson and the Guys with Beards. And, as with both days, visitors are invited to the beer and wine garden. This year Summerfest highlights the craft beer “Flat Tire.”
She said the additional day of the event was added in response to feedback requesting additional days for the event.
“Every year the musicians donate their time and talents to the chamber. All the music we get is through producer Mike Wade, he’s a local boy who made it big that produces the event for us every year,” she said..
On Saturday, the festival begins at 11 a.m. and runs through to 7 p.m.
Ms. McCabe said the central location and the availability of free parking anywhere in park lots, municipal lots as well as along borough side streets makes the event easily accessible.
“It’s in walking and biking distance from Bay Head and Brick. The bicycles pile up there and people come and spend long periods of time at the festival,” she said.
The musical lineup for the day starts with performances by students with Idol Time Academy, a group of young people who attend the local academy, followed by the MMDA Rock Shop, Ashley McKinley, the Brue Crew, Taylor Tote, Wicked Hollow and Male Order Bride.
Along with music and the beer and wine garden, another huge draw to the event is the food.
This year the event will host 12 different food trucks, some of which have been featured on national food shows: The Palm Restaurant, based in Atlantic City, will offer ‘the whole surf and turf thing; Brick-based Tacoholics, a classic shore restaurant offering a style of taco for every taste; the Urban Burger Truck specializing in — what else — burgers and shakes; and the Empanada Guy offering a dizzying array of Spanish fare.
In addition to music and food, the rides are also a big attraction. This year marks the first for a mid-sized ferris wheel in response to popular request. There will also be children’s attractions like inflatables and children can ride all day with a $10 wrist band.
“We’re doing something new this year, we’re selling a one time, one ride ticket,” Ms. McCabe said.
The festival will also feature 120 different vendors.
“Every year we send out a wait list, now we have a wait list of 450 vendors,” she said.
Profits made from the event fund a scholarship awarded to a student pursuing an entrepreneurial career.
Ms. McCabe said the borough Chamber of Commerce tries to keep membership dues low so the service is available to every business owner.
“It’s a great investment,” she said of membership, “and it really bonds the community.”
Currently the chamber has a membership of 225, which is something chamber officials and members are very proud of.
“We have to keep reinventing ourselves. Events like this put Point Pleasant on the map. We’re branding our town even if we get people to drive through,” Ms. McCabe said, adding many of the vendors who reserve a place come back year after year.“That’s because the community supports the festival.”
She said the chamber also enjoys a lot of support from the municipality itself. She said Mayor Robert Sabosik has helped make that connection.
“Mayor Sabosik is so super charged and extremely supportive. He helps us with the police department and the Department of Public Works, she said, noting that after the event everyone goes out for pizza.
“It all comes together and it all gels. It starts at the top and runs down,” she said. “Everyone in town works together like a large family..”
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