I Love Keyport Day Shows Off the Best of Keyport

KEYPORT, NJ: This year’s I Love Keyport Day was a celebration of everything that makes the hidden gem of a town so special. From the businesses to the community, Keyport has so much to offer to people of all ages. I Love Keyport Day is a way to experience Keyport, learn more about its history, and have fun!

On May 18th from noon to 6 PM, anyone who visited I Love Keyport Day was able to dine, shop and stroll their way through this community-wide love letter to Keyport.

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Taste of Keyport is an incredibly popular dining experience on I Love Keyport Day. Tickets include the opportunity to sample food from over 20 restaurants in and around Keyport. New for this year was a trolley ride option that would take guests to any restaurants that were not within walking distance and could not normally be a part of Taste of Keyport.

Mayor Rose P. Araneo was present at I Love Keyport Day and shared what she loves about Keyport. “What I love about Keyport is it’s a community that everybody always comes together. So whether we have an event or we have a function that’s going on, or even a fundraiser for somebody, our town comes together,” said Mayor Araneo. She also called I Love Keyport Day “a way to bring everybody out to showcase the best of Keyport.”

This year's participating locations included: Nemo’s Asian Fusion and Sushi, Old Glory Kitchen + Spirits, McDonagh’s Pub, Italian Touch Pizza, Front Street Pizza, Broad Street Diner, Lenora’s Cafe, Burlew’s Seafood and Steak, Tropico Mexican, Keyport Coffee Cafe, Uncle Louie G’s, 3BR Distillery, Keyport Funhouse, Mr. Green Tea, First Wok, Yellow Rose, El Ranchero Taqueria, Keyport Deli, Brinia’s Sazon, Aangara Indian Cuisine, Keyport Fishery, Felicita Pizzeria & Mexican, and IHOP.

In addition to the many restaurants around Keyport, an Oyster Tent was selling fresh shucked oysters. They could be purchased at $12 for half a dozen and $18 for a dozen while supplies lasted.

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The first 300 people (ages 18+) who arrived at I Love Keyport Day and signed up at the KBBC table with their email received $10 in Keyport Cash to be used that day. Keyport Trivia offered the opportunity to learn about the town and potentially earn Keyport Cash. The clues to the trivia questions could be found at the many local businesses, and completed trivia sheets could be turned in for the chance to win $25 in Keyport Cash.

Other activities around I Love Keyport Day were Community Tables, Bay Cruises aboard the Keyport Princess, a Keyport Ghost Walk, a meet and greet with Baby Shark and Family, face painting, crafts (courtesy of Friends of the Keyport Public Library), a plant sale promoting the upcoming Keyport Garden Walk, and an appearance from Autocades (a fun, family-friendly mobile arcade filled with a vast assortment of games). The Keyport Historical Society and Keyport Fire Museum were open to the public and free admission during the festivities, as well as the Keyport Public Library.

There was also plenty of art and music to enjoy. Scattered through the business district were pieces of art created by students at the Central School and Keyport High School. The Art Show will continue to be on display through May 24. There was drum circle activities and live music at the event, with the bands WhyBe and Clam Diggers.

Keyport is a small town, only 1.4 square miles, but it is "loved large" by so many people.

Its charm comes from the community and how there are so many ways to be involved and support the businesses that give the town its unique flair. There is always something happening in Keyport, so to stay in the know, go to visitkeyport.org, follow Visit Keyport on Facebook, or follow @visitkeyport on Instagram.

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