Jersey Shore's Epic Independence Day: Five Days of Fun, Fireworks, and Record-Breaking Crowds"

JERSEY SHORE, NJ – For many, this felt like the longest time away from work outside a weeks-long vacation. As was evident all day Wednesday with heavy local traffic, the "4th" actually started on the 3rd and carried on until the 7th. At TAPinto, we thought it would be good to recap some of our What's on Tap Fourth of July weekend recommendations made, and at the same time, we are all thankful that the weather held out during the five-day holiday period.

What started on Wednesday night was the Summer Concert on the beach in Spring Lake. It was a beautiful night, and an estimated 300 residents came out to listen to the band FriendZone. Their music was designed to entertain all ages, creating a perfect atmosphere for families and friends to gather under the stars and enjoy the soothing sounds of summer.

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Additionally, Wednesday night featured the Manasquan parade and fireworks show. As the Manasquan council mentioned at their meeting last week, this event was at risk due to weather projections and would have been the "fourth or fifth" year in a row the fireworks show would have been canceled. However, like many weather forecasts, it proved wrong, and it was a great night for all three events planned to celebrate Independence Day. The festivities kicked off with a bicycle decorating contest, followed by a parade, a lively concert led by the band Wave Length, and closed out with the first fireworks show in "four or five" years, illuminating the sky with vibrant colors and bringing joy to the community.

July 4th brought us the Long Branch Oceanfest, which did not disappoint. The event featured a long beach day, with the boardwalk filled with vendors selling a variety of foods from around the East Coast. The festival concluded with its own spectacular fireworks show. Oceanfest is the largest seasonal event on the Jersey Shore — in fact, it’s the biggest Independence Day celebration anywhere in New Jersey, and it happens every July 4th in Long Branch. Once again, the City of Long Branch estimated the number of attendees to Oceanfest in the hundreds of thousands, similar to prior years. The atmosphere was electric, with families, friends, and visitors from near and far reveling in the festive spirit.

On July 5th, the celebrations continued with the Bradley Beach Fireworks show. The night sky was painted with displays of light, both from the fireworks and the many bolts of lightning from the pending storm, captivating the audience and adding another memorable night to the holiday week.

Finally, July 6th culminated with the Belmar Fireworks and Light Show. An estimated 7,000 people gathered on the beach and around the Taylor Pavilion, located on Ocean Ave between 5th and 6th Avenue. The event was a spectacular display of community spirit, as locals and visitors alike enjoyed the impressive light show that lit up the night, bringing the extended holiday celebration to a grand conclusion.

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Fun Fact : This past weekend, the Jersey Shore saw a record number of beachgoers. Over 2 million people visited various shore points from Asbury Park to Cape May, making it one of the busiest Independence Day weekends in recent history. This surge in visitors not only highlighted the popularity of the Jersey Shore but also brought a significant boost to local businesses, with many reporting their best sales weekend of the year.

Overall, the Jersey Shore's extended Independence Day festivities were a resounding success, bringing communities together and providing a much-needed break from the daily grind. We at TAPinto are grateful for the good weather and the wonderful events that made this holiday period so special.

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