Long Beach Island to Redefine Beach Culture with Seasonal Events

SHIP BOTTOM, N.J. - April 19, 2016 - PRLog -- The Long Beach Island Region is preparing for a groundbreaking season of Redefining Beach Events. Riding the momentum of the "Beach Culture Redefined," campaign, this unique stretch of the New Jersey Shore is showing visitors that while the beaches, bays, charming businesses, and other traditional draws are still an inspiration to all generations, 2016's line up of events are testament to a thriving culture of art and community. There are few places better to enjoy gatherings than on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean from May through October.

The events start rolling with the Hop Sauce Festival, on June 4. Now in its third year, Hop Sauce Fest has become an exciting new event for those who enjoy fiery hot sauces, over 20 craft beers, original music, and delicious local food in a well-curated festival. Hop Sauce, held at the Taylor Avenue Waterfront, which attracted 5,000 people in 2015, is only expected to grow this year with the addition of co-headliners, The Lonely Biscuits and Craig Finn. In addition, Hop Sauce will incorporate a number of hand crafters to the event from the Maker's Festival, a massive success in Manahawkin last year, and the Hop Sauce Tune-Up Paddle Race. Tickets and information can be found at HopSauceFest.com.

Those who appreciate a good merlot or the art of film will be very interested in the weekend of June 9-12, as Long Beach Island welcomes both the Lighthouse International Film Festival (www.lighthousefilmfestival.org) and the Pour Into Summer Wine Festival. The film fest opens on Thursday night, with "Films that transform the way the you see the world." Friday through Sunday, it hosts features, shorts, documentaries, panel discussions, parties, and filmmaker discussions in various venues all over LBI.

That Saturday and Sunday, film lovers and wine aficionados will descend on Beach Haven's Taylor Avenue Waterfront to sample and purchase over 200 varietals of the best wines from regional vineyards.

As the season heats up, locals and visitors alike will enjoy the Summer Edition of the "Truck"erton Food Truck & Brew Fest at Tuckerton Seaport on August 15-16. The Seaport will host 15-20 gourmet food trucks, with everything form grilled alligator to the gooey deliciousness of Wisconsin Battered Cheese Curds, Belgian waffles and a craft beer garden.

Many say that autumn is their favorite time at the coast, and the fall festivals kick off with one of the most important events to the local culture - the 34^th Annual Ocean County Decoy & Gunning Show, at Tip Seaman County Park and Tuckerton Seaport, September 24-25. Free to the public, 20,000 people flock to this traditional event featuring demonstrations, decoy auctions, dock dogs, seminars, crafters, and carvers, with a huge variety of vendors and entertainment. Information on the Food Truck and Decoy and Gunning Show can both be found at Tuckertonseaport.org

The season is rounded out by Chowderfest, which begins with the annual (free admission) Merchant's Mart on October 1 and gets right into the famed festival of unlimited chowder tasting, live music, beverage, and food court, on October 2, both at the Taylor Avenue Waterfront in Beach Haven. This 28^th annual event will have special meaning this fall, as a nasty nor'easter sunk Chowderfest in 2015, causing it to be cancelled. The triumphant return of Chowderfest this year promises to be a great one with Long Beach Island's favorite restaurants competing for the title. Tickets and info can be bought at Chowderfest.com. More information can be found at http://www.visitLBIregion.com.

Long Beach Island Region DMO

Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce

265 West Ninth Street, Ship Bottom, NJ

(609) 494-7211

MediaContact@sochamber.com

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