The first Bradley Beach, NJ Lobster Fest after recovering from Hurricane Sandy took place this weekend. The Bradley Beach Lobster Fest was two days of free admission festivities located at 500 Ocean Avenue from 11am – 9pm on Saturday July 13 and 11am-6pm on Sunday July 14th. This festival presented by the Bradley Beach Chamber of Commerce offered over 100 craft and specialty vendors, 6 bands, giant water slides, children’s activities and of course, lobster.
On Saturday, dark clouds and rain in the morning worried the planners and organizers behind the fifth annual Bradley Beach Lobster Festival, but the clouds parted for the blue skies and hot sun that make for a crowded day at the beach. “I think the turnout is pretty outstanding,” said Brenda Connolly, president of the Bradley Beach Chamber of Commerce, noting they expected about 20,000 people over both days. “It feels like it’s bustling.”
Living up to its name, the Lobster Festival vendors offered its top dish in various forms, whether it was a whole lobster, as bisque or part of a lobster roll. The event also offered a variety of local seafood and typical festival fare. Sunday was clear blue skies all day and a crowd that stretched as far as the eyes could see. The beaches as well as the festival was a packed house.
The New Jersey shore took a major hit when Hurricane Sandy came slamming in to the coast line. The super storm destroyed most of the beaches, boardwalks and business in beach towns. Since October, these towns have been rushing against the clock to make sure everything was ready for the summer crowds and special events. This would be the first Lobster Fest to take place since the hurricane rewrote the history of past summers. It was also a reminder that the New Jersey campaign “Stronger than the storm,” lives true to it’s words. The jersey shore is back, with lobsters in hand.
