Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce welcomes visitors to see why it is better in September and late summer is even sweeter.
Long Beach Island Region Farmers Markets
Beautiful sunny days, less crowds and more time to enjoy your time away. With so much happening in the metro areas, take a break and refresh. Plenty to do in the Long Beach Island Region Farmers Markets still in full swing in in Surf City and Manahawkin until mid September and in down town Barnegat until late October. Take home some Jersey Fresh produce, Jersea Fresh Seafood, homebaked breads, handmade pastas, spices and sauces in time for your autumn table.
Barnegat Township’s Pirates Day
Barnegat Township’s Pirates Day brings swashbucklers, vendors, a children’s area and new car showcase. This family friendly event takes place takes place Saturday, Sept. 12 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with a daylong slate of free, pirate-themed activities that joins with live music, food, a huge vendor and craft fair and more along East Bay Avenue and the adjacent Gazebo Park. In the evening, the family-friendly shenanigans moves to the Barnegat Dock with an outdoor concert.
Ship Bottom Irish Festival
Ship Bottom Irish Festival hosts their annual event on September 12-13 as well as Tuckerton Seaport’s Sea You in September Antique & Classic Boat Show from 11am to 5pm.
Makers Festival at Beachview Farms
Makers Festival at Beachview Farms in Manahawkin on Saturday September 19 will host its first event. A celebration of local art, cultivated vintage items, food and live music. Free admission to festival grounds from 10am to 6pm with option for $10 entry to Rustic Drift Biergarten. Yoga, face painting, photo ops also available during the event.
First Boat Parade and Seafood Festival
Still time to celebrate Beach Haven’s 125th Anniversary with First Boat Parade and Seafood Festival also on Saturday, Sept 19th at 4pm on the bay at Taylor Avenue behind Bay Village. There will be fun activities and demonstrations for kids and adults with some of the most delicious food New Jersey has to offer. Live music from renowned Jimmy and the Parrots will be entertaining the crowd from 4 to 7pm. At 7pm the mike is turned over to our announcer for the start of the boat parade. Boaters are invited to deck out their boat, along with Beach Haven homes and businesses. Everyone must register with Beach Haven Future to be eligible for the great prizes.
September 26th & 27th
If you are still deciding to head out of Philadelphia and NYC during the much anticipated Papal visit, here are some suggestions to help plan your stay. Dive into local heritage of the bay with the 33rd Annual Ocean County Decoy & Gunning Show hosted on September 26 & 27 from 7am to 5pm. this exciting two day event highlighting the culture of the area! Demonstrations, contests, seminars, crafters, carvers, vendors, food, refreshments, music, entertainment, and lots of fun.
Dock Dog Competition as featured on ESPN! Two great locations: Tip Seaman County Park and Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen’s Museum. This event is free to the public or Hit the final Food Truck Show of the summer at Manahawkin Mart on Bay Avenue happening Saturday September 26.
Chowderfest Weekend
Winding your way through September, to the official LBI end of summer celebration Chowderfest Weekend October 3 & 4. Start Saturday off with Merchant Mart from 10am to 5pm while you shop under the big top at Taylor Avenue Ballfield aka Panzone Park between Ninth & Taylor Avenue by the bay in Beach Haven. With over 80 vendors offering end of season blowouts, live music, children’s entertainment, cider wagon and draft beer trucks it is the perfect way to welcome fall and do some back to school and holiday shopping. This free event goes on rain or shine! Save room for Sunday, where our cook off classic featured 18 of the area’s favorite restaurants competing for your vote for best Red and White Chowders, plus Creative Seafood Category. Enjoy unlimited chowder tasting! Live music, children’s entertainment, and a food court are all part of the event, which is held rain or shine at the Taylor Avenue ball field, Ninth Street and Taylor Avenue in Beach Haven (across from Schooner’s Wharf and Bay Village) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, October 4, 2015.
This family fun festival features live music, activities and unlimited Chowder tasting with the opportunity for each ticket holder to vote for their favorite restaurant in each category. The event takes place at the Taylor Ave Ballfield where Merchant Mart is held in Beach Haven surrounded by beautiful views of the bay and plenty of year end discounted shopping. It has become a tradition for family and friends to gather together. Tickets are a must to enter on October 4, you can purchase General Admission $25, Children 4-12 $10 or VIP with early entry and Tasters Tee Shirt $55 at Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center at 265 West Ninth Street or www.chowderfest.com
For visitor information about LBI and the Mainland communities, contact Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce online at www.visitLBIregion.com, call 609 494 7211 or stop into visitor center at 265 W 9th Street Ship Bottom. Follow on facebook as Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce and on all social as LBI Region. Pick up the 2015 LBI Region Escape Guide, the official visitor guide of the area at NJ Welcome Centers, Southern Ocean Visitor Center, Vacation Rental packets or online through chamber website.
