In Jersey this weekend? Go to Asbury Park for the Endless Summer Tiki Festival!

greetings_from_asbury_park-149190809_stdPeople don’t usually think of the Jersey Shore when they think of Tiki. The boards are about surf and sand, T-shirts and bikinis, hot dogs and fries, not so much about Mai Tais and Aloha shirts. But that’s changing this weekend, as the Asbury Park Boardwalk present their Polynesian-Inspired Event, The Endless Summer Tiki Festival!

Get ready for three days of Poly-pop fun, kicking off on Friday, September 28. There will be plenty of Tiki-inspired events, movies, art, collectibles, and more for festival-goers of all ages.

Here’s some info on the event from the Tiki Festival’s press release:

“We couldn’t think of a better place to celebrate Tiki culture than on the Asbury Park Boardwalk,” commented Marilyn Schlossbach, owner of Langosta Lounge. “The boardwalk businesses, music venues, bars and restaurants are excited to program special events and promotions for Tiki fans from all over the country. We look forward to the ‘Endless Summer Tiki Weekend’ becoming an annual event in Asbury Park, joining the likes of the Ohana Luau in Lake George and the Long Beach Tiki Festival.”

The “Endless Summer Tiki Weekend” will begin on Friday, September 28 with a special launch party and art show at the new Asbury Park Yacht Club on the Asbury Park Boardwalk. Polynesian pinball at the Silverball Museum, a bonfire on the beach, and a live drum circle hula-hoop performance will round out the opening night festivities.asburyboardwalk

On Saturday, September 29, the Festival’s Rodeo Surf Contest will begin at 7:00 a.m. and include a full day of wave-riding in support of The Jersey Shore Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. Later that day, animal lovers will be invited to bring their four-legged friends to the Wonder Bar for a Tiki-inspired Yappy Hour and pet-friendly fashion show. The Festival will continue with a Tiki golf tournament at Asbury 18 Mini Golf, Tiki carving, lei-making and hula-hopping lessons at various boardwalk locations.  The classic 1961 film “Blue Hawaii” presented by the Asbury Park Film Initiative will screen on the Third Avenue Beach at 8:00 p.m.  The Jersey Shore Roller Girls will also entertain Tiki crowds with a bout at Convention Hall.

The third and final day of the “Endless Summer Tiki Weekend” will include another Tiki Yappy Hour at the Wonder Bar, the continuation of the “Endless Summer Tiki Art Show” at the Asbury Park Yacht Club, and a pool party at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel. Blue Hawaii Vintage will present a vintage fashion show in the Carousel starting at 2:00 p.m. and Elvis fans can find El King, the Hawaiian Elvis, strolling the boards on Sunday with a special 3:45 performance on the 4th Avenue Green Space.  Attendees will then be invited to bring their beach chairs and towels to Asbury Park’s 3nd Ave. beach for a screening of the original “Endless Summer.”

wonderbarIn addition to the varied day-time events, live music at legendary Asbury Park music venues, including the Stone Pony and Wonder Bar, will be programmed in conjunction with the Festival. The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel will offer festival-goers with a discounted room rate throughout the weekend; interested parties are instructed to mention the event when securing a reservation. For more info visit the website at www.apboardwalk.com

Unfortunately I won’t be able to attend the event, since I’m about 1400 miles away, but it does sound like fun. Like the “Yappy Hour”…all I can think of is a bunch of dogs getting tanked on Zombies.

This event reminds me of some of the Tiki-ness that the Wildwood Boardwalk used to have. There was a Poly-themed motel there, years ago, and a snack bar on the boardwalk that was decorated like a Tiki hut. The piers always had rides with Tiki themes too, over the years, and lots of plastic palm trees.

Anyway, Cheers to the good people of Asbury Park for keeping the Tiki tradition alive, and here’s to hoping you have a fun and prosperous Endless Summer Tiki Weekend!

-Tiki Chris P. reporting from the travel center at Pirate’s Cove Tiki Lounge, hidden somewhere in Fort Lauderdale, FL

2 Replies to “In Jersey this weekend? Go to Asbury Park for the Endless Summer Tiki Festival!

  1. This would be a perfect gig for the Aqua Velvets ! Wish we could be there. We are playing a Tiki Fest at the Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge this weekend in California. Cheers and Aloha!

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