Every year they have the Italian festival at the old Deal Test Site. I believe the Italian American…read moreclub runs it from Ocean Township. It's an event that started on Wednesday and finishes up on Sunday. There are many rides lots of food and a lot of fun to be had. Entertainment was provided by various bands and local gymnasts. There's plenty of police presence due to the large crowds. There are plenty of Porta Johns and this is the largest I have seen this festival since I last attended 15-20 years ago. Prices from the vendors are a tad high due to the fact that their income is very variable. I had a sausage sandwich with peppers and onions which set me back $8. Water at most stands were $1. Sandwich was tasty after putting on some "heat". Afterwards I indulged in a kiddie ice cream cone $4, much needed to cool me off. What I did not see at this festival was a hands-on section for all. Tickets for the rides were $25 for 24 tix or $50 for 54 tix. The average ride was 3 to 4 tickets. There was plenty of parking though you were urged to donate $1 to the police explorers ( who are they?) The only major problem at this festival were the exits. There were no signs saying how to exit the site, so that took a some time to explore. Maybe that $1 donation will ease the problem next summer. 3 & one half stars.

ASBURY PARK: a perfect stop for shopping, sipping, and staying cozy indoors with your pup…read more Convention Hall is part of the boardwalk, so it follows the same seasonal rules, leashed and friendly dogs are welcome from 9/15-5/15. Inside you will find a mix of unique shops offering clothing, accessories, home decor, gifts, plus spots to grab coffee, desserts, snacks, and drinks. The open space also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Asbury Park Bazaar that highlight local makers and small businesses. One note to know before you go: the main sit-down restaurants no longer allow dogs due to the landlord's rules, but there is still plenty to explore and enjoy with your four-legged friend.

One of the coolest parts of Asbury Park is the historic architecture, and Convention Hall is a a…read moregreat example. It's home to the Paramount Theater along with a mix of shops and restaurants. It's a unique space, great for getting out of the summer sun (or winter wind), but it can also be a bit disorienting as the sound bounces all over the place and many of the shops have different hours. Still, it's a unique building, great for browsing, shopping for knick-knacks, or a decent meal. It's not my go-to area for shopping or food, but if you're by the beach, it's not bad at all!

This was more of a carnival food festival than Oysterfest. Only 2 stands with oysters but plenty of…read morekabobs, fries and funnel cake!

I have nothing negative to say about it. Fun times! Good variety of artists. Loved the NJ Lotto…read moretruck.

Good job improving the event again. Sure there will be complaining but I see some positive changes…read morewith the entry... sound... food... and rest rooms. Today will be legendary and looking forward to 2025 PS; Security and Safety doing a great job

The Secret Behind the Magic of The Stone Pony is Community…read more There is something about The Stone Pony that goes beyond music. What made the venue legendary was never the walls, the bar, or even the stage lights. It was the community. In the 1970s and 1980s, Asbury Park became a kind of laboratory for musicians. Night after night, artists gathered in clubs along the Jersey Shore to play, experiment, collaborate, and refine their craft in front of real audiences. The Stone Pony became one of the central meeting points for this growing creative ecosystem. Musicians sat in with each other's bands, traded ideas, tested new songs, and sometimes performed several nights a week. Instead of guarding their talent, they shared it. Instead of competing, they elevated one another. Out of that environment emerged artists who would later become internationally known, including Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny, and Steven Van Zandt. They were shaped by thousands of hours playing together in small rooms filled with passionate listeners. The sound that developed in Asbury Park reflected this collaboration. It blended rock, soul, rhythm and blues, and big-band horn arrangements into what many came to call the Jersey Shore sound. Part of what made this ecosystem so special was the geography. Within just a few walkable blocks were other gathering places where musicians and fans flowed throughout the night, including Asbury Lanes, Tim McLoone's Supper Club, and the legendary Wonder Bar, all just steps from the Atlantic Ocean and the Asbury Park boardwalk. Music, ocean air, and a close-knit creative community blended together in a vibrant hub where musicians could play one venue and then wander down the block to hear another band. My curiosity about this history grew from a personal place. Over the past year my son, Chris Renner, a young guitar player who has only been playing for two years, has had the opportunity to perform rock cover songs on stages throughout Asbury Park. Chris's playing has reminded many listeners of the legendary precision and melodic passion of Randy Rhoads. His style focuses on melodic solos and phrasing influenced by classical music rather than typical head-banging metal. Because of the NJ music community, Chris has already had the opportunity to perform as lead guitarist on stages including The Stone Pony, Asbury Lanes, Tim McLoone's, Wonder Bar, and even the Ozzy Osbourne Tribute Show at the Cutting Room in Manhattan. Watching him step onto those stages sparked a deeper interest in the story behind the NJ music scene and the culture that continues to nurture musicians today. One of the most interesting aspects of the Asbury Park scene is how cover music and original music live side by side. Many bands begin by performing well-known songs while gradually introducing their own material. The cover band scene plays an important role. It allows musicians to build stage experience, connect with audiences, and become part of the local circuit. Those shared songs create a common language between bands and fans and foster a welcoming camaraderie. Something even more inspiring has been happening recently. Several of Chris's friends from the local music community have begun forming their own original bands and performing their own songs. Chris loves supporting them, showing up to their shows and cheering them on as they cheer him. This is how music scenes grow. Musicians celebrate the music that inspired them, refine their skills through live performance, collaborate with other players, and eventually discover their own voice. Even today the Stone Pony carries that legacy. Musicians still show up, plug in, and play. Fans still crowd close to the stage the way they did decades ago. Great cultural movements rarely begin in boardrooms or corporate offices. They begin in communities, in small venues, shared stages, and the willingness of people to create together. The Stone Pony and the Asbury Park music community are proof that when talent, opportunity, and collaboration come together in one place, something extraordinary can happen. Joanna Renner NJ Realtor | Life Coach Proud Mom of Musician Chris Renner 646-296-6864

Just stopped in here briefly to look around while a show was going on. Definitely a bucket list…read moreplace to visit if you're going to be in the area considering all the amazing musicians that have been here over the years.

If you want to socialize this seems like a good spot. But if you want to listen to music - forget…read moreit! Went to hear the Indigo Girls last night and left early because the noise was so bad I couldn't enjoy the concert. The noise during the opening act was so bad the performer left the stage obviously very upset. Her act was good, but could barely hear her.

The Paramount is BACK. I have had the opportunity to experience a few musical acts and the Garden…read moreState Film Festival at the Paramount this year. The Asbury Park renaisance is focused on music and the arts, and the Paramount is a HUGE piece of the City's revival. Stop by and check out a show when you get a chance. I highly recomend it. The upgraded boardwalk makes for a GREAT time!!

I enjoy soulless mall theaters for their steep slope seating big bathrooms easy parking…read more So encountering an art house in 2018 is a new kind of bless while still taking movies seriously. An A picture at Metro. Thank you Showroom family

Saw a movie here with my family on a Saturday afternoon. We parked on the street and bought tickets…read morewhen the box office opened. They have discounts for students! While we waited we went to the thrift store down the street. The theater we were in had about 20 seats. It was nice to see many people just come watch independent films by themselves. This is new for my family and I but we would love to do it again and will definitely come back here for another indie movie!

How is it possible that no one has reviewed the GSFF? This is their 10th Anniversary and our second…read moretime to attend. If you are a movie buff and enjoy watching short and long offerings, sometimes in really uncomfortable seats (the Berkeley/Kingsley needs to do something better next year), you need to put this on your calendar for next year! My wife and I are fans of anything Asbury and really enjoyed the offerings this year. We purchased a weekend pass and tried to jam as much in as possible. Given that they offered over 190 films in 7 venues, we couldn't see everything. We started the weekend by attending the cocktail party in the Grand Arcade adjacent to the Paramount Theatre. Like last year the food and desserts were quite good along with a cash bar. Lots of fun to see all of the people excited at the fact that they were going to be able to showcase their talents to so many people. After the party we went in the theatre and watched three movies - Cloned, Death, Taxes & Apple Juice and Shuffle. The feature film, Shuffle, was quite good. Saturday morning found me, once again, in the Paramount, where I viewed a collection of short films (16, I think ) and enjoyed them, especially Shore Points, The Last Girl Scout and You're Late, Jimmie Freeman. After a quick lunch at Asbury Grille we enjoyed Things to Keep, Love & Other Unstable States of Matter and The Hammenscheil Substitute. Dinner at Ivan & Andy's was followed by another adventure in uncomfortable seating at the Berkeley/Kingsley. We thoroughly enjoyed The Goner Prologue, The Dead Rose, Retribution Nina and the feature film, Calendar Girl. These were all excellent, especially Calendar Girl. On Sunday we attended a professional reading of Two Ton Tony, the screenplay that won the Garden State Screenwriting Competition. The reading was conducted by professional actors who joined Ed Asner in transporting the audience in The Watermark into the play. It was a great performance enjoyed by everyone. We were happy to have had the opportunity to see/hear these professionals tell the true story of Tony Galento, from Orange NJ, and his ultimate match with the greatest heavyweight who ever lived. Very engaging. Our last film, From Finja to the World, was screened at Chico's House of Jazz. It documents the efforts of Jorgen Johansson, a photographer with a band, Dimestore Junkies. He travels from a small town in Sweden to play in various venues in Asbury Park, including The Stone Pony and the Paramount. He was/is heavily influenced by Bob Dylan (his son is named Dylan) and Bruce Springsteen. A thoroughly enjoyable documentary capped off by meeting Jorgen after the film. Bottom line, there was something here for everyone and we will be back next year.

My son is an aspiring film student and we had a great time and wonderful experience not only there…read morebut also at home (the festival was hybrid of in-person and virtual this year). The organizers, staff members, and volunteers all made sure that everyone can enjoy the festival. I can't imagine how much work required to make it happen in the hybrid format this year. I also bought a multi-pass, so I am still enjoying the films at home until the closing date. Also it was nice that the festival was in Asbury Park as we enjoyed the boardwalk and some local food. I will continue going to this festival and recommend it to all my film friends.