BELMAR — Put on your bibs and bring on the butter! The 2025 New Jersey Seafood Festival is set to return to Ferruggiaro Park at Silver Lake in Belmar for a weekend of seafood, craft vendors and live music later this month.
Taking place at Ferruggiaro Park, located across the street from Taylor Pavilion on the boardwalk at Fifth and Ocean avenues, the event will be open for three days: Friday, May 16, from 4 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, May 17, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, May 18, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free.
The annual seafood festival will offer visitors and residents alike the opportunity to grab a taste of their favorite seafood dishes from some of the state’s most popular restaurants, alongside craft vendors and live music.
“(I’m) so excited, it’s one of our favorite events of the year,” tourism commission liaison Councilwoman Caitlin Donovan told The Coast Star. “Just like last year, we’re focusing on the local tastes and the local flavor and sounds of the Shore.”
During the festival, participants will have the chance to taste an array of mouthwatering seafood delicacies from roughly 25 participating restaurants and food trucks, including local favorites such as Klein’s and Point Lobster Company.
“We’ve got a lot of the same vendors as last year,” Councilwoman Donovan said.
Another vendor to be featured at the event will be the Friends of The Belmar Skatepark, who will host a local artist designing custom skateboard decks to help benefit skatepark fundraising efforts, alongside T-shirt and brick paver sales.
The three-day event will also feature live music throughout its duration, with many returning shore favorites coming back from last year’s lineup, such as the E Boro Bandits and Tommy B & The Deep Blue Sea, as well as some bands new to the event.
Similar to last year’s setup, the stage will be near the flagpole at the top of the park, with the beer and wine tent, sponsored by 10th Avenue Burrito, on the corner of Fifth and Ocean avenues.
Food trucks will run along Sixth Avenue. More than 40 craft vendors will be spread out along the park as well, with open tables available near the gazebo. A petting zoo will also be available for younger participants during the event.
“(People) should absolutely come, it gets better every year, and it’s a great way to start off the summer,” Councilwoman Donovan said. “This is a great opportunity to explore all of Belmar: visit the Seafood Festival and then visit the incredible shops on Main Street.”
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