Kickoff the summer at LBIfest

Photo via Google Images
LBIfest kicks off it's third year in Brant Beach.

If you haven’t already heard, Saturday, June 9 marks the date for the third annual LBIfest. A day full of family fun complete with local vendors, food fare and musicians, LBIfest is a great way to kickoff the summer season and show your support for the Southern Ocean Medical Center (formerly SOCH) in lieu of their Emergency Department expansion project. The event will be held at the Long Beach Township Municipal Complex and Bayview Park in Brant Beach between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Admission to the event is free.

Last year’s festival brought in a whopping 9,000 people. Folks enjoyed scoping out the good eats from restaurants like The Chicken or the Egg and the fine merchandise from businesses such as Just Bead It and AcmeSurf and Sport, all while rocking out to live entertainment. This year, attendees can expect to enjoy just as much, if not more, fun.

“We’re trying to create a good LBI experience so people will want to come back here and bring their families and have fun,” said Zach Kerzner, co-chairman of the Long Beach Island Business Alliance. “We’re trying to give people who come down (to Long Beach Island) during the off-season the option to do something entertaining. We want everyone to come out and feel comfortable here. The bay is so beautiful and just hanging out there and partying is wonderful. People will be jumping on paddleboards all day long. It should be a really nice event,” he added with excitement.

This year’s live entertainment will consist of eight local bands, including Ted Hammock; Dan Brown Duo; The Following; The Castoffs; Cheap Red Wine; The Brigantines; AJ Stone; and The 559.

A handful of local nonprofits will be on-site handing-out informational pamphlets and stickers alongside 60 to 70 local retailers who will be selling their wares. Food vendors will be serving up yummy eats and thirst-quenching beverages. Paddleboarding, kayaking and other water sports will take place on the bay. A bouncy house and slide will be provided for children on-land.

Look out for 2012 LBIfest wristbands being sold at varying vending locations. For just $2, the latex-free silicone bracelets entitle the wearer to special deals and discounts offered all season long at varying business establishments. For a complete list of participating enterprises and their specific deals running April 1 through December 31, visit bifest.com/2012wristbandpromo.html.

“The wristband promotion is really a win-win-win,” said Kerzner. “We started out just trying to make it profitable for the hospital. But then we said, ‘wait a minute, let’s make it a win for the person buying it and a win for the retailer selling it.’ It’s a triple crown,” he added.

LBIfest is brought to you by The Long Beach Island Business Alliance, comprised of local business owners who are dedicated to making Long Beach Island a year-round attraction for locals and visitors alike.

“We really want to excite the locals about (LBIfest), too,” said LBIBA co-chairman, Stacey Fuessinger. “ Sometimes even a lot of them think there's nothing to do on the Island. If we get the locals involved during the shoulder season, that will really help the community,” she added.

For more information about LBIBA or LBIfest visit lbifest.com.


This article was published in The Beachcomber.