Visitors to the Arts in the Parks art festival

Despite overcast skies in the morning, warm temperatures brought visitors to ocean grove for the annual arts in the parks festival

Organized by Chamber member Carol Bernard, the Arts in the Parks art festival showcased various artists and musicians who call New Jersey home. There were over 40 artists displaying and selling original art, photography, sculptures and jewelry.

Held on Saturday June 17 in Auditorium Square Park and Founders Park in Ocean Grove and in Kennedy Park in Asbury Park, local artists and musicians were celebrated. Music included a stage in Founders Park and performances by Agency, David Cohen, Wetlands, Afferent Cue, Danny White, Marcia Hendron, Arlan Feiles and the Lone Howdy's. There was also be a community drum circle and live Doo Wop by Sounds of the Street. Businesses participated by offering unique events and sales.

The Bellevue Bus owned by the bellevue Stratford Inn was one of the participating vehicles in the car show.

Adding to the carnival atmosphere was a Vintage Car show on Main Avenue in Ocean Grove and Music on Main with R B Express & the Angeltones. Approximately 100 vintage autos and vehicles participated in the event which had the Main Avenue Business District packed with visitors for the entire afternoon.

This was the second year for the event, sponsored by The Ocean Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and the Merchants Guild of Asbury Park.
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volunteer Committee Formed
Chamber hopes to increase event participation

At the March Meeting of the Ocean Grove Area Chamber of Commerce a Volunteer Committee was formed, headed by John Bonk of Central State design Concepts, Inc with Committee Members Mike Popoff of Coldwell Banker Realtors and Bob Hilton of the Ocean View Inn.

Chamber Volunteers at the Annual Easter Egg Hunt

The purpose of the committee is to assist event organizers in finding volunteers to help with the events. This is not always an easy task, according to Mr. Bonk.

"We understand that Chamber members have businesses to run and the weekends are their busiest times, however we are only asking for one hour of their day and only for one or two events a year. This does not seem to be unreasonable to us," he said.

He went on to stress the fact the Chamber sponsored events are designed to bring business into Ocean Grove and they can only be a success if the Chamber members volunteer. He also feels there is ample time for members to help with the events.

"Most Main Avenue businesses open between 9:00 and 10:00 am," he said. "There is ample time when they can help early in the morning with event set-up at 7:00 or 8:00 am for an hour. The banks close at 1:00 on Saturday, this gives bank employees the afternoons off when they could give an hour. The Inns and Hotels generally have a lull in mid afternoon when their guests are at the event, in town or on the beach, and many of the innkeepers are up very early. There is time then when they could give an hour here or there."
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