Summerfest Show Will Go On This Season

This year's annual Summerfest series of concerts will follow the same type of planning as celebrations have for the past several summers, Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis said.

The series of concerts held at Windward Beach each summer, which peaked at 12 and, at its height, was advertised across the state, will have more of a local feel this year, Acropolis said. This season, township officials are planning three concerts and fireworks displays.

"The cost of Summerfest has come down 25 percent of what it was at its heyday," said Acropolis.

The events are primarily funded through corporate sponsors and a trust fund rider account funded by donations and investments, said Business Administrator Scott Pezarras at a recent township council meeting.

The summer event series began during the mayoral administration of Joseph C. Scarpelli and was advertised across the state, especially in North Jersey. Those advertising campaigns have been stopped, Acropolis said, and the series has been revamped to include more local flavor, with organizations such as township fire companies and the Knights of Columbus setting up food stands to help raise money for their chairtable efforts.

Despite the lack of advertising, the first concert last summer garnered the highest attendance ever, the mayor said. Still, a more community-focused event series has helped better engage the local crowd, an effort that township officials will apply to this year's series as well.

"I think because we're not advertising in North Jersey and other areas, people from Brick are finding they can actually get to the park," Acropolis said.

Township officials are still securing the list of bands that will perform at this year's Sumerfest series. Acropolis said a formal announcement will be coming soon.