KEYPORT FESTIVAL OF SAILS
CELEBRATES THE BAYSHORE

Explore life in a seaside town as Keyport Business Alliance presents the third annual Keyport Americana Festival of Sails on July 10 and 11 at Beach Park, the municipal boat launch area overlooking scenic Keyport Harbor at Broad Street and American Legion Drive. Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 10, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 11. Admission to the family-friendly event is free, and the event takes place rain or shine.

Hosted by the Keyport Business Alliance, the two-day event will feature a wide array of oyster and seafood specialties, a colorful parade of sailboats on the bay, catamaran cruises, live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, children’s rides, and oyster-shucking demonstrations and competitions. First Street will be closed from Broad Street to Church Street, creating a pedestrian mall to accommodate vendors and festival activities. Broad Street and American Legion Drive will both remain open to traffic.

The Kathleen D Sailing Catamaran, which offers sunset sails and chartered getaways from Keyport’s William A. Ralph Municipal Pier on American Legion Drive, will be offering mini-tours throughout both days beginning at 11 am. Boaters and landlubbers alike will enjoy the Parade of Sails starting at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Keyport Harbor. With many craft decked out in patriotic red, white and blue, the parade of sailboats gliding across the bay presents a colorful summer spectacle and crowd pleaser for all ages.

Fun and unique activities for kids are scheduled throughout the weekend. Children can learn problem solving while experience maritime life first-hand through the Sea Quest Kids Build-A-Boat program. As part of its living classroom experience to develop environmental awareness, Sea Quest Kids will enlist kids to build a 10-foot boat

during the two-day festival. Lowe’s of Holmdel will conduct a birdhouse-building clinic, with a free apron and birdhouse kit for the first 500 children each day.

Saturday’s activities include a full lineup of live jazz, rock ’n’ roll and original music, beginning with Debra and the Dynamites at noon, followed by the Poni-Tails at 3:30 and the Jon Caspi Collective at 7 pm. The art of oyster shucking will be presented by Gef Flimlin, head of the Marine Extension Agent/County Extension Department of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County, beginning at 1 p.m. Following the demonstration, visitors can test their skills by taking part in a shucking contest, with $50 KBA Bid Bucks, accepted by all Keyport merchants, being awarded to the top finishers. Certified Clam Corp. of Highlands will provide the shellfish for the competitions. The New York/New Jersey Baykeeper, an affiliate of the American Littoral Society, will discuss the Raritan Bay oyster restoration project at 4:30 p.m., and the ever-popular Crab Races – featuring Jersey blueclaws in a race to the finish – will run from 6 till 7 pm. A spectacular fireworks display will light up the harbor sky at dusk.

Sunday’s live entertainment kicks off with Jade Fire at noon, followed by Still Small Voices at 3:30 p.m.. The Mini Sailboat Regatta, hosted by Keyport Yacht Club, begins at 2 p.m., and post time for Sunday’s crab racing is 2:30. For a contribution of $2 per entry, competitors can choose their crabs for the race. Prizes for first, second and third place will be awarded, and proceeds will be donated to the Keyport Ministerium Food Pantry.

“Festival of Sails is one of many events where the business owners in Keyport invite everyone to come to our town,” said Kathy Shaw, advocate for the Keyport Business Alliance. “Sail the bay, shop our boutiques and other specialty stores, fish from the pier, have lunch or come and watch the sun set – there are so many things to discover in Keyport.”

The Keyport Americana Festival of Sails is presented by the Keyport Business Alliance with the support of sponsors including Shrewsbury State Bank, Kathleen D Sailing Catamaran, the Buhler Automotive Group, 94.3 The Point, Super Foodtown Food Circus, The Family of Straub Automotive Dealerships, and www.2Keul.com.

The Keyport Business Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering economic development and continued revitalization of Keyport’s commercial district, as well as preserving the Borough’s historic past. Visit the KBA online at www.keyportonline.com for more information and sailboat registration for the parade of sails.

For additional information about the Festival, call Allen Consulting at 732-946-2711.