JAMBOREE, OTHER EVENTS HELP PROMOTE
KEYPORT BUSINESS ALLIANCE’S GOALS

As West Front Street bustles with activity this weekend during the 6th Annual Country Jamboree & Food Festival, members of the Keyport Business Alliance can look back with pride.

Formed three years ago, the KBA, a group of residents, property and business owners, was established to foster economic development and revitalization in the Borough while preserving Keyport’s historic past.

“We are realizing our goals of enhancing the waterfront and downtown area and marketing Keyport as a destination,” said KBA President Jeff Fink.

“Our work is just beginning, but we’ve made great progress.”

Fink said new businesses have opened, visual improvements have been made, and special events, such as the Memorial Day Parade, the Americana Festival of Sails & Oyster/Seafood Festival in July, the Summer Sales and Sharks for the Arts promotion, and last month’s Antiques & Collectibles Street Fair, have attracted both residents and visitors to the Borough’s downtown and waterfront areas.

“The Festival of Sails was a first-time event for us,” Fink said, “and we had more than 12,000 attend for the two days. Country Jamboree is an established event, and we’re expecting a great turnout this weekend.”

KBA member Chris Fernicola, owner of the Front Porch Emporium, 36 W. Front St., and Kringle Displays, a commercial and residential display consulting firm, has again been instrumental in planning efforts for the Jamboree.
“It will be even bigger and better,” said Fernicola, “The Bid & Buy Auction, where all of the items will have a retail value of at least $25, will be back, and we’re adding the chili cook-off, which should be as popular as the chowder cook-off was at Festival of Sails.”

The KBA is working with Allen Consulting Inc., a Holmdel-based public relations and marketing firm retained this year to help promote and produce the KBA’s calendar of special events.

“We have a very hands-on approach to events,” said the company’s president, Sylvia Allen. “We’ve been producing special events for a number of non-profit BIDs (business improvement districts) all over the state, and in a down economy, they can really help drive business.”

Allen also sells sponsorships for the events her company produces. Sponsors of the KBA’s Country Jamboree include radio station 94.3 The Point and Shrewsbury State Bank.

“The sponsors already have an investment in the community,” said Allen, “and being involved in special events promotes the sponsor while generating a tremendous amount of good will.”

Allen said upcoming holiday events in Keyport will include the Borough’s Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, November 30, celebrating Santa’s arrival with entertainment, caroling, and refreshments, and the annual Pearl of the Bayshore Candlelight House Tour on Saturday, December 14, featuring several homes and properties in Keyport, all decked out for the holiday season.

For additional information on Keyport and the Keyport Business Alliance, visit www.keyportonline.com or call Allen Consulting at 732-946-2711.